CommBank Matildas Abroad: Kerr could lift NWSL Shield with Gotham FC

Sam Kerr could lift her first trophy since returning to the United States, with Gotham FC needing a draw from the final game of the season to finish top of the NWSL table.

Elsewhere, Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso were on the scoresheet in European competitions midweek, and FC Rosengård face a huge fixture in their quest to avoid relegation in Sweden.

Read about the CommBank Matildas Abroad in action below.

UEFA Women’s Champions League

Chelsea overcame AS Roma 2-0 to continue their unbeaten season in all competitions. Ellie Carpenter was the one who opened the scoring after entering play at half-time. It was a stunning goal, finishing off the move that she started with a wall pass to Wieke Kaptein. The Blues now have two wins and one draw from three Champions League games this season. Winonah Heatley started in defence for Roma.

Both Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley contributed with assists as Arsenal defeated Benfica 3-0. It was a much-needed result for the Gunners who are hoping to turn their season around. Foord, Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross all started for Arsenal.

Manchester City drew 1-1 with PSG. Mary Fowler came off the bench in the second half to help City take the lead, before PSG equalised just before stoppage time.

UEFA Europa Cup

Malmö FF defeated Dutch side Ajax 2-1 in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Amy Sayer and Charli Grant both started for Malmö, but potentially at some cost – both were withdrawn due to injury. Courtney Nevin was a second-half substitute.

Hayley Raso was on the scoresheet as Eintracht Frankfurt took a 2-0 lead in their first leg against PSV. The goal came within the first 70 seconds of the match, setting the tone perfectly in the quarter-final. Raso played 78 minutes while Jamilla Rankin was an unused substitute.

England

League Cup

West Ham defeated Charlton Athletic 2-1. CommBank Young Matilda Grace Johnston got a goal back in the second half for Charlton but it would not be enough for them to secure any points. Emily van Egmond started and played the full game for Charlton while Leah Davidson was not in the matchday squad.

Brighton & Hove Albion defeated WSL2 side Wolverhampton 6-0. Charlie Rule was not available due to injury.

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Bristol City 6-1. Clare Hunt remains unavailable for Spurs due to injury, while Alexia Apostolakis played the full match against top-flight opposition for Bristol.

London City Lionesses overcame Crystal Palace 4-2. Alanna Kennedy remains unavailable for the Lionesses due to injury.

Clare Wheeler started in midfield and helped Everton to a 2-1 win over Sheffield United. Holly McNamara was not in the matchday squad, rested for the cup after scoring her first WSL goal last weekend.

Newcastle United take on Durham this weekend on Sunday, 11pm AEDT. Kaitlyn Torpey will be available for the Magpies.

Nottingham Forest continue their League Cup campaign on Monday, 1am AEDT against Burnley. Leticia McKenna and Alana Murphy will hope to continue their fantastic form against fellow WSL2 opposition.

Finally, Bristol City and Alexia Apostolakis will have a chance for instant redemption when they travel to take on Wolves on Monday, 1am AEDT.

WSL

Everton host Manchester United on Saturday, 11.45pm AEDT. United picked up an important point against City last week and will hope to back it up against a Toffees side who have shown glimpses of quality this season. Clare Wheeler and Holly McNamara will be available for Everton.

Arsenal host Aston Villa on Sunday, 11pm AEDT. It is already at the stage where every game is a must-win for Arsenal if they are any chance of challenging for higher honours this season. Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross are all set to play a big role on the weekend.

London City Lionesses look to be the first team to defeat Manchester City in the league this season on Sunday, 11pm AEDT. Alanna Kennedy remains unavailable due to injury but Mary Fowler will hope to start for City after coming off the bench midweek.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to take on Birmingham on Monday, 1am AEDT. Clare Hunt remains unavailable with the knee injury that she acquired during the Asian Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion take on Crystal Palace on Monday, 1am AEDT. The Seagulls have performed better than their two wins suggest and will hope to prove that on the weekend. Charlie Rule remains unavailable for Brighton.

The round ends with Charlton Athletic hosting Chelsea. Chelsea will be heavy favourites, undefeated so far, while Charlton are yet to pick up a point. Ellie Carpenter will be available for the Blues while Leah Davidson and Emily van Egmond are expected to play a role for Charlton.

Sweden

Vittsjö GIK face Djurgarden on Sunday, 12am AEDT. Vittsjö are hoping to finish the season on a high, needing only one point from their final three games to be safe from relegation, while being unable to reach the top three. Daniela Galic will be available for Vittsjö.

FC Rosengård host Växjö DFF on Sunday, 1am AEDT. It is an enormous match in the context of the season, with both sides fighting to avoid relegation. Rosengård are currently above the relegation play-off place only on goal difference, while Växjö need to make up five points to be any chance of staying in the league next season. Remy Siemsen, Bryleeh Henry and Isabel Gomez will all be available for Rosengård.

Malmö FF will be searching for a win to secure European football next season when they host Norrköping on Tuesday, 4am AEDT. It is unclear whether Amy Sayer and Charli Grant will take part, given injuries midweek, but Courtney Nevin will be available.

United States

All games in the final round of the NWSL regular season get underway on Monday, 9am AEDT.

Gotham FC host the Utah Royals in a game that will determine the NWSL plate. Gotham just need a point in order to lift silverware this weekend. Sam Kerr is expected to line up at centre-forward as she hopes to win a trophy in her first season back in the United States.

The Portland Thorns travel to take on the Houston Dash. While play-offs have been secured, three points could see them finish as high as fourth. Mackenzie Arnold is expected to be in goals for Portland.

Germany

Eintracht Frankfurt take on 1.FC Nurnberg in the DFB Pokal Women on Monday, 12am AEDT. Hayley Raso and Jamilla Rankin will be available for Frankfurt.

Italy

AS Roma host Napoli on Monday, 1am AEDT. Roma have gotten off to a fantastic start in their title defence and will hope to continue on the weekend. Winonah Heatley will be available for Roma.

Como take on AC Milan on Monday, 4am AEDT. Alex Chidiac will be available as Como search for their second win of the season.

Canada

The Vancouver Rise will take on the Montreal Roses in the first leg of the NSL play-offs on Monday, 11am AEDT. Tori Tumeth will be available as the Rise hope to make the final of the competition in its second season.

Norway

Vålerenga host Lyn on Tuesday, 4am AEDT. They will need to win the penultimate game of the season if they are any chance of finishing third. Hana Lowry will be available for Vålerenga.