These are the sort of big, controversial claims you need to make in a preview, we reckon.

But as much as we might big-up our local Aussie hero - who's already made history by taking Chicago to the NWSL Championship decider - the less controversial of those two statements is calling Carolina the greatest team.

They've won the last three NWSL Shields, the last two NWSL Championships and have reached the final of the last two Women's International Championship Cups, winning in 2018.

They feature an established settled squad of top-drawer US talent and their imports are always seemingly faultless these days.

So how are Chicago going to overcome one of the NWSL's true dynasties? Well, it may surprise you to learn that they've got a lot more than just Kerr to bank on this Monday morning.

Let us explain...

BUT FIRST, KEY FACTS

Records tumbling

After a sluggish mid-season dip that saw the club lose and draw with some of the NWSL's worst clubs, Red Stars and Kerr have turned their fortures around and are now on an incredible winning streak. They would equal the NWSL's all-time record with a win in the Championship decider.

Goals-a-plenty

Thanks to the league's leading assister Debinha and second highest goalscorer Kristin Hamilton, North Carolina have actually managed to outscore Chicago this season, despite Kerr's whopping 18-goal regular season haul.

A unique advantage

Chicago have scored the most goals in the NWSL this season from outside the box and North Carolina have conceded the joint-most from outside the box. With Chicago's firepower extending back into the midfield and a brilliant record from corners, this could be Chicago's secret weapon...