Kerr nets her 15th as Chicago book their NWSL finals place

Sam Kerr powered in her 15th goal of the season to help the Chicago Red Stars clinch a NWSL 2018 playoff spot with a game to spare.

The Westfield Matildas star extended her lead at the top of the golden boot charts to three with a bullet header on 64 minutes as the red-hot Red Stars sealed a 5-0 win over Sky Blue FC at Toyota Park.

With three points required to secure fourth place, Alyssa Mautz got the ball rolling with an 18th minute header and doubled her own, and the Red Stars’, tally just after half-time with a back-post strike.

Kerr’s effort put the result beyond doubt, before the Australian sensation set up Rosie White to score a fourth with a precision chest pass on 80 minutes.

Michele Vasconcelos scored late, from a move which Kerr started on half way, to make it five and lengthen the Red Stars’ undefeated streak to seven games in the National Women's Soccer League.

Chicago play at Utah Royals on Sunday at 5.30am AEST to wrap up their regular season, where a win may be enough to finish third if Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso’s Portland Thorns slip up against Seattle Reign on Saturday.