Yahoo Sports When Kerolin made NWSL history
Kerolin Nicoli arrives at Manchester City ready and hungry to write the next thrilling chapter in her illustrious career so far.
The 25-year-old has become our third January acquisition, penning a three-and-a-half year contract that will keep her at the Club until the summer of 2028.
Her journey so far has seen her flourish in her homeland of Brazil, Spain and the United States while also enjoying success for her nation’s senior side.
Arguably her most memorable campaign to date, though, came in 2023 where she made NWSL history when starring for North Carolina Courage.
WATCH: Kerolin is a Blue!
Following a series of sparkling displays, Kerolin was named the division’s Most Valuable Player at the end of the campaign, becoming her team's first-ever player and South American in NWSL history to claim the division’s highest individual honour.
In a strong regular season showing by North Carolina Courage, Kerolin netted 10 goals, but just missed out on the Golden Boot which was claimed by Portland Thorns’ Sophia Smith, who bagged 11.
However, by hitting double digits she became just the third Brazilian and fourth Courage player to do so in the competition’s history.
Those strikes were crucial to her side’s third-place finish in the table, which earned them a place in the end-of-season play-offs for the NWSL Shield.
And Kerolin’s standout display came in an emphatic 5-0 victory away at Chicago Red Stars when she became one of only three players to net a hat-trick in the regular season in 2023.
Despite remaining unbeaten across their final three regular season matches, they couldn’t carry that momentum into the play-offs as they were eliminated by NJ/NY Gotham – losing 2-0.
That disappointment was already extinguished though with Kerolin spearheading their pursuit of the NWSL Challenge Cup before the regular term’s end.
WATCH: Kerolin hungry to impress at City
By helping them to 11 points in the group stage, North Carolina Courage finished at the table’s summit, setting up a semi-final trip to Kansas City Current.
The Courage prevailed 1-0 thanks to Brianna Pinto’s 96th minute winner, with Kerolin starting proceedings at Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas.
But it was in the final where the Brazilian truly came to the fore and showed her credentials as a ‘big game’ player.
Again, a starting inclusion in the first XI, Kerolin wasted little time in stamping her authority in the showpiece, netting the game’s first goal on 28 minutes.
That allowed her former employers to assume control of the tie, with Manaka Matsukubo doubling their advantage before keeping a clean sheet to claim the trophy for the second successive year.
By lifting the major honour, Kerolin and co. had delivered North Carolina Courage’s seventh trophy, which at the time, was an NWSL record.
City’s No.14 was rewarded for her standout displays that year with further accolades as the curtain fell on the campaign.
Not only was she named in the NWSL 2023 Best XI First Team, but the now 25-year-old was also an inclusion twice in the Best XI of the month throughout the term.
With a proven track record for delivering on the big stage and in high-pressure environments, City have acquired the services of a dangerous forward who can stamp her authority on the English and European football now and in the future.
