Soccer players Kristie Mewis and Samantha Kerr announced Monday that they’re expecting their first child. 

“Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!” the couple wrote in a joint post on Instagram. 

Mewis played for the U.S. women’s national soccer team as a midfielder more than 50 times and now plays for West Ham United FC. Kerr is a forward for the Australia women’s national soccer team and for Chelsea FC.

 
 

The duo met in 2019 on the field during a National Women’s Soccer League tournament match, and then they started talking online when the pandemic began, they told London-based magazine Gaffer in 2022.

Then, last year, the couple revealed that they were engaged in an exclusive for People magazine. At the time, Mewes said Kerr, who is widely considered one of the best strikers in the world, was her “biggest supporter, always listening to me nag and complain all, all of my crazy antics,” according to People. 

Congratulatory replies poured in after the couple shared their pregnancy news on Instagram, along with several photos.

Current and former professional soccer players from around the world were among those celebrating, including U.S. Women’s National Team alumnae Ali Krieger, Mallory Pugh Swanson, Kelley O’Hara and Kristie Mewis’ sister, Sam.

 

“Omggg congrats to you both!!” Krieger replied, along with teary eyed and heart emojis.

 
 

The official Instagram account of the FIFA Women’s World Cup predicted Baby Mewis-Kerr would inherit athletic prowess, writing: “Baby baller incoming. Congratulations to you both!”

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong also offered a congratulatory message.

Professional soccer team West Ham United shared the “heart-warming” news on its website. 

“Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Kristie and Sam on their fantastic news!” the English team wrote. 

Along with a stream of positive messages, the post also attracted homophobic replies, which Chelsea FC described as “unacceptable and hateful” in a statement to Reuters.

 

“There is no place in society for any form of discrimination and we will not accept any abuse directed towards our players, staff or supporters,” a club spokesperson said. “We are extremely proud to be a diverse, inclusive club that celebrates and welcomes people from all cultures, communities and identities.”