On the brink of history, Temwa Chawinga is about to break Sam Kerr's NWSL record

Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga has been running riot in the NWSL. On Saturday, the Malawian star not only clinched a win for her team against Racing Louisville but also engraved her name into the history books of the league, netting her 18th goal of the season, equaling Sam Kerr's record of 2019.

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It seems Chawinga is serious about leaving her mark on the league, and with three games left in the season, beating that historic record seems more real than ever.

Chawinga's arrival and early impact

From the Chinese Women's Super League, Chawinga joined the NWSL with little fanfare. That didn't last for long. She hit the ground running, and her inclusion in the Kansas City Current lineup has been nothing short of phenomenal. Usually, players take some time to adapt to the new league, teammates, or culture. Not Chawinga, though, who started scoring from the beginning and never stopped.

When it comes to difference-making players, though, Chawinga definitely tops the list. She brings speed and physicality with a real sense of the game. That pure ability to position herself and finish-which is probably her hallmark-has shown in almost every match she's played this season.

Sam Kerr's Record and a Shot at a New High

The Malawi international is now level with Sam Kerr, who reached that number in a single season to make her own history in 2019. Unlike Kerr, though, Chawinga has three games left to extend that record and set himself as very best scorer of the NWSL single season.

It feels like a matter of time. What's even more impressive is that, despite defenses being fully aware of her offensive power, she keeps finding ways to score. But she's not only a natural goal-scorer; she also creates dangerous opportunities for her teammates, which makes her even harder to contain. Chawinga is one of those players who constantly tests the limits and raises the bar.

The challenge ahead: San Diego Wave

Of all the goals she wants and accolades she has to her name, there's one outstanding feat left: San Diego Wave. They remain the only team in the league that has been able to keep her off the score sheet so far. But with another match between them in the calendar, this might be a golden opportunity for Chawinga to mark that one off her list as well.

Expectation, therefore, is high going into this match. Will Chawinga finally break through against San Diego and complete her scoring streak, or will the California team frustrate the Malawi star once again? If there is one thing that we have learned this season, it is that underestimating Chawinga is never a good idea.

Race for Golden Boot

The other exciting point in the latter part of the season is the race that will get heated toward the end: the Golden Boot race, reserved for the league's top scorer. With 18 goals, Chawinga leads the pack; however, as every beautiful game fan knows, it is always full of surprises, and she will need to keep the momentum going if she wants to secure that individual coveted trophy.