2021 Racing Louisville FC season

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Racing Louisville
2021 season
OwnerJohn Neace
ManagerChristy Holly
StadiumLynn Family Stadium
NWSLRegular Season: TBD
NWSL PlayoffsTBD
Challenge Cup5th (East Div.)
 →

The 2021 Racing Louisville FC season is the club's first season of existence. Racing will be playing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top flight of professional women's soccer in the United States.

Background[]

Main article: Racing Louisville FC

Racing Louisville FC was announced on October 22, 2019, as an NWSL expansion team set to begin play in the 2021 season.[1] Former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly was named as Racing Louisville FC's first head coach on August 12, 2020.[2] The club proceeded to build their roster through a combination of free agent signings, a trade with Chicago Red Stars for Savannah McCaskill and Yūki Nagasato in exchange draft protection,[3] the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft, and the 2021 NWSL Draft. Since the opening of the season, Racing also added English internationals Gemma Bonner and Ebony Salmon, former North Carolina Courage defender Sinclaire Miramontez, and Dutch international Nadia Nadim.

Current squad[]

As of June 9, 2021[4]

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK United States USA Michelle Betos
2 MF United States USA Lauren Milliet
3 DF United States USA Erin Simon
4 DF England ENG Gemma Bonner
5 FW United States USA Cece Kizer
7 FW United States USA Savannah McCaskill
8 MF Sweden SWE Freja Olofsson
9 FW England ENG Ebony Salmon
10 FW Denmark DEN Nadia Nadim
11 DF United States USA Emily Fox
12 DF United States USA Sinclaire Miramontez
13 FW United States USA Emina Ekic
14 DF United States USA Nealy Martin
15 DF United States USA Brooke Hendrix
16 DF United States USA Julia Ashley
17 FW Japan JPN Yūki Nagasato
18 DF United States USA Kaleigh Riehl
19 MF United States USA Taylor Otto
20 FW Jamaica JAM Cheyna Matthews
21 GK United States USA
22 FW United States USA Katie McClure
23 GK United States USA
24 MF United States USA
26 DF United States USA Addisyn Merrick
27 FW United States USA Vanessa Kara
33 FW United States USA Jorian Baucom

Competitions[]

Preseason friendlies[]

February 27, 2021 Racing Louisville 4–0 Louisville Cardinals Louisville, Kentucky
Milliet Goal 5'
Kizer Goal 22', Goal 24', Goal 49'		 [1] Stadium: Thurman Hutchins Park
Attendance: 0
March 7, 2021 Vanderbilt Commodores 1–2 Racing Louisville Nashville, Tennessee
Goal 68' [2] Milliet Goal 43'
Kizer Goal 49' (pen.)		 Stadium: Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex
Attendance: 0
March 13, 2021 Racing Louisville 4–0 West Virginia Mountaineers Louisville, Kentucky
Ekic Goal 17'
McClure Goal 41', Goal 59'
Baucom Goal 83'		 [3] Stadium: Thurman Hutchins Park
Attendance: 0
March 24, 2021 Florida State Seminoles v Racing Louisville Tallahassee, Florida
Stadium: Seminole Soccer Complex
Attendance: 0
Note: Result not reported
March 28, 2021 Florida State Seminoles v Racing Louisville Tallahassee, Florida
Stadium: Seminole Soccer Complex
Note: Result not reported

NWSL Challenge Cup[]

Main article: 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup

Standings — East Division[]

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 NJ/NY Gotham FC 4 2 2 0 5 3 +2 8 Qualification for the Championship
2 North Carolina Courage 4 2 1 1 9 8 +1 7
3 Orlando Pride 4 1 2 1 3 3 0 5
4 Washington Spirit 4 1 1 2 3 4 −1 4
5 Racing Louisville FC 4 0 2 2 4 6 −2 2
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Match results[]

Racing Louisville's group stage matches in the East Division of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup were the first competitive matches in club history. The opening match, a 2–2 draw against Orlando Pride, was the club's first at their home ground, Lynn Family Stadium. With two draws and two losses in four group matches, Racing finished at the bottom of East Division in their first Challenge Cup.[5]

April 10, 2021 1 Racing Louisville 2–2 Orlando Pride Louisville, Kentucky
7:00 PM ET Kizer Goal 12'
Fox Yellow card 66'
Baucom Yellow card 83'
Hendrix Goal 90+3'		 Report Kornieck Yellow card 35', Goal 44'
Goal 88'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,300
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant referees: Brooke Mayo
Assistant referees: Maggie Short
Fourth official: Nabil Bensalah
April 15, 2021 2 Washington Spirit 1–0 Racing Louisville Washington, D.C.
7:00 PM ET Roddar Yellow card 59'
Huster Yellow card 79'
Sanchez Goal 90+3'		 Report Olofsson Yellow card 52' Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 0
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant referees: Ben Pilgrim
Assistant referees: Nicholas Seymour
Fourth official: Nabil Bensalah
April 26, 2021 3 Racing Louisville 2–3 North Carolina Courage Louisville, Kentucky
6:00 PM ET Kizer Goal 24'
Baucom Goal 75'		 Report Pickett Yellow card 12'
Hamilton Goal 33'
Kurtz Yellow card 49'
Debinha Goal 57'
Ashley Goal 84' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 3,742
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant referees: Rebecca Luther
Assistant referees: Maggie Short
Fourth official: Chris Schurfranz
May 2, 2021 4 NJ/NY Gotham FC 0–0 Racing Louisville Montclair, New Jersey
12:30 PM ET Cudjoe Yellow card 28' Report Stadium: MSU Soccer Park
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant referees: Tiffini Turpin
Assistant referees: Zeno Cho
Fourth official: Christian Centeno

NWSL Regular Season[]

Main article: 2021 NWSL season

Standings[]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 16 10 2 4 24 11 +13 32 NWSL Shield
2 North Carolina Courage 16 8 4 4 22 9 +13 28 Playoffs – Semi-Finals
3 OL Reign 16 8 1 7 22 18 +4 25 Playoffs – First Round
4 Orlando Pride 17 6 6 5 20 19 +1 24
5 Chicago Red Stars 17 7 3 7 19 22 −3 24
6 Washington Spirit 16 6 5 5 19 18 +1 23
7 NJ/NY Gotham FC 16 5 6 5 17 15 +2 21
8 Houston Dash 15 6 3 6 18 20 −2 21
9 Racing Louisville FC 16 4 4 8 13 23 −10 16
10 Kansas City 17 2 4 11 9 28 −19 10
Updated to match(es) played on August 29, 2021. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Results summary[]

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
15 4 4 7 13 22  −9 16 3 2 3 7 8  −1 1 2 4 6 14  −8

Last updated: August 25, 2021.
Source: Match reports

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
GroundHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHA
ResultDWLLWLWLDLLWDDL
Updated to match(es) played on August 25, 2021. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Match results[]

15 May 1 Racing Louisville 0–0 Kansas City Louisville, Kentucky
5:00 PM ET McCaskill Yellow card 53' Report Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,622
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Assistant referees: Deleana Quan
Assistant referees: Chris Schurfranz
Fourth official: Nabil Bensalah
21 May 2 Racing Louisville 2–0 Washington Spirit Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Ekic Goal 76'
Kizer Goal 81'
Baucom Yellow card 90+1'
Martin Yellow card 90+2'		 Report Rodman Yellow card 46'
Bailey Yellow card 70'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,011
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant referees: Melissa Beck
Assistant referees: Maggie Short
Fourth official: Michael Samour
28 May 3 North Carolina Courage 5–0 Racing Louisville Cary, North Carolina
7:00 PM ET Erceg Goal 7'
Mathias Yellow card 56'
L Williams Goal 63'
Debinha Goal 68'
Mace Goal 75', Goal 90'		 Report Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Matthew Franz
Assistant referees: Jeremy Smith
Assistant referees: Caleb Fearing
Fourth official: Shawn Tehini
5 June 4 Portland Thorns FC 3–0 Racing Louisville Portland, Oregon
10:30 PM ET/7:30 PM PT Salem Goal 8'
Rodriguez Goal 48'
Horan Yellow card 72', Goal 77'		 Report Martin Yellow card 49'
McClure Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: Not reported
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant referees: Salma Perez
Assistant referees: Corbyn May
Fourth official: Luis Trujillo
20 June 5 Racing Louisville 1–0 Houston Dash Louisville, Kentucky
3:00 PM ET Bonner Yellow card 10'
Salmon Goal 72'		 Report Latsko Yellow card 7' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,971
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistant referees: Meghan Mullen
Assistant referees: Maggie Short
Fourth official: Chris Schurfranz
23 June 6 Racing Louisville 0–2 North Carolina Courage Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Nagasato Yellow card 65' Report L. Williams Goal 27', Goal 33' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,334
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistant referees: Kali Smith
Assistant referees: Mike Nickerson
Fourth official: Michael Samour
26 June 7 Chicago Red Stars 0–3 Racing Louisville Bridgeview, Illinois
3:25 PM CT/4:25 PM ET (start delayed from 1:00 PM CT by weather) Colaprico Yellow card 10' Yellow-red card 55' Report Nagasato Yellow card 29', Goal 56'
Salmon Goal 38'
McCaskill Goal 62'		 Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 2,626
Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant referees: Melissa Beck
Assistant referees: Rachel Smith
Fourth official: Katherine McCormick
3 July 8 Racing Louisville 0–2 Portland Thorns FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET McCaskill Yellow card 29'
Riehl Yellow card 34'
Holly Yellow card 77'		 Report Rodriguez Goal 30' (pen.)
Charley Goal 52'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,822
Referee: Karen Callado
Assistant referees: Brooke Mayo
Assistant referees: Chris Schurfranz
Fourth official: Emma Richards
9 July 9 Orlando Pride 1–1 Racing Louisville Orlando, Florida
7:00 PM ET Jónsdóttir Yellow card 33'
Leroux Goal 90+4'		 Report Salmon Goal 21'
McCaskill Yellow card 36'
Ekic Yellow card 73'
Matthews Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Referee: Natalie Simon
25 July 10 Racing Louisville 0–2 Washington Spirit Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET (start delayed from 3:00 PM ET due to weather conditions) Report Ashley Hatch Goal 5'
Sam Staab Goal 58'
Aubrey Bledsoe Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,422
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant referees: Tiffini Turpin
Assistant referees: Mike Nickerson
Fourth official: Jarin Harrell
31 July 11 OL Reign 2–0 Racing Louisville Tacoma, Washington
7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET Le Sommer Goal 27', Goal 43'
Huerta Yellow card 86'		 Report Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Attendance: 3,097
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
8 August 12 Racing Louisville 3–1 Kansas City Louisville, Kentucky
3:00 PM ET Nadim Yellow card 22', Goal 55'
Fox Yellow card 35'
McCaskill Yellow card 38'
Salmon Goal 43'
Matthews Goal 86', Yellow card 90'		 Report Pickett Yellow card 45+1'
Jenkins Goal 45+9'
LaBonta Yellow card 63'
Silva Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,843
Referee: Danielle Chesky
15 August 13 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–1 Racing Louisville Harrison, New Jersey
5:00 PM ET Onumonu Goal 83' Report Nadim Goal 13'
Bonner Yellow card 67'
Riehl Yellow card 90+6'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant referees: Tyler Wyrostek
Assistant referees: Ian Mangione
Fourth official: Jennifer Dumaine
18 August 14 Racing Louisville 1–1 Chicago Red Stars Louisville, Kentucky
8:20 PM ET Salmon Goal 10', Yellow card 57'
Riehl Yellow card 65'
Nagasato Yellow card 90'		 Report Watt Goal 57' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 7,310
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant referees: Kali Smith
Assistant referees: Noah Matos
Fourth official: Katherine McCormick
Note: A penalty kick shoot-out following full time was needed to decide a winner for the match's dual status as a semifinal of the inaugural International Women's Cup. Racing Louisville won the shoot-out 5 - 4.
25 August 15 Kansas City 2–1 Racing Louisville Kansas City, Kansas
7:00 PM CT/8:00 PM ET Ball Yellow card 10'
Simon Goal 17' (o.g.)
Hamilton Goal 40'
LaBonta Yellow card 45+2'
Weber Yellow card 50'
Vincent Yellow card 79'		 Report Nadim Yellow card 27'
Kizer Goal 65'
S Miramontez Yellow card 88' Yellow-red card 90+1'		 Stadium: Legends Field
Referee: Michael Radchuk
29 August 16 Houston Dash 1–0 Racing Louisville Houston, Texas
6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET Daly Goal 49'
Naughton Yellow card 73'
Visalli Yellow card 90+7'
Hanson Yellow card 90+8'		 Report Baucom Yellow card 68'
Simon Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 5,300
Referee: Katja Koroleva
4 September 17 Racing Louisville v OL Reign Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
11 September 18 Orlando Pride v Racing Louisville Orlando, Florida
7:00 PM ET Stadium: Exploria Stadium
26 September 19 Racing Louisville v Houston Dash Louisville, Kentucky
3:00 PM ET Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
1 October 20 Racing Louisville v NJ/NY Gotham FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
6 October 21 North Carolina Courage v Racing Louisville Cary, North Carolina
7:30 PM ET Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
9 October 22 Washington Spirit v Racing Louisville Washington, D.C.
7:30 PM ET Stadium: Audi Field
16 October 23 Racing Louisville v Orlando Pride Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
31 October 24 NJ/NY Gotham FC v Racing Louisville Harrison, New Jersey
2:00 PM ET Stadium: Red Bull Arena

International Women's Cup[]

Racing Louisville hosted and participated in the inaugural International Women's Cup, a four-team competition featuring two sides from the NWSL and two sides from Europe.[6] Racing Louisville and Chicago Red Stars from NWSL were joined by Paris Saint-Germain Féminine and FC Bayern Munich. In the semifinals on August 18, 2021, Racing Louisville drew with Chicago Red Stars and advanced to the Championship match on penalty kicks, where they would face Bayern Munich, who had also advanced past Paris Saint-Germain via penalty shootout. In the Championship match, Racing Louisville fell behind early in the second half before quickly equalizing on a goal by Jorian Baucom, then took the lead on a goal by Yūki Nagasato, only to yield another to Bayern Munich in stoppage time, sending the match to penalties. Racing Louisville prevailed in an 11-round shootout, after backup goalkeeper converted her spot kick and saved the attempt by her counterpart, Laura Benkarth.

21 August Championship match Racing Louisville 2(7)–2(6) FC Bayern Munich Louisville, Kentucky
6:00 PM ET Baucom Goal 54'
McCaskill Yellow card 74'
Nagasato Goal 85'		 Report Bühl Goal 49'
Bonner Goal 90+5' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 7,813

NWSL Playoffs[]

Further information: NWSL Playoffs

In 2021, the NWSL Playoffs will expand to six teams for the first time. The top two teams in the table at the end of the regular season will receive first round byes. Playoffs will start on November 6 and will conclude with the NWSL Championship on November 20.[7]

Player statistics[]

Top scorers[]

Place Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 5 0 5
2 FW 5 United States Cece Kizer 2 0 2 0 4
3 FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 2 0 2
3 FW 33 United States Jorian Baucom 1 1 0 0 2
3 FW 17 Japan Yūki Nagasato 0 1 1 0 2
4 DF 15 United States Brooke Hendrix 1 0 0 0 1
4 FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 0 1
4 FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 0 1 0 1
4 FW 20 Jamaica Cheyna Matthews 0 0 1 0 1
Total 4 2 13 0 19

Assist leaders[]

Place Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 FW 5 United States Cece Kizer 1 0 2 0 3
2 FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 0 2 0 2
2 MF 2 United States Lauren Milliet 0 1 1 0 2
3 DF 11 United States Emily Fox 1 0 0 0 1
3 MF 8 Sweden Freja Olofsson 1 0 0 0 1
3 DF 3 United States Erin Simon 1 0 0 0 1
3 FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 0 1
3 FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 1 0 1
3 FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 1 0 1
Total 4 1 8 0 13

Clean sheets[]

Place Pos. No. Name CC NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
1 GK 1 United States Michelle Betos 1 4 0 5
Total 1 4 0 5

Disciplinary[]

Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL NWSL Playoffs Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card
FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
FW 17 Japan Yūki Nagasato 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
DF 18 United States Kaleigh Riehl 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
MF 33 United States Jorian Baucom 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
DF 14 United States Nealy Martin 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
DF 11 United States Emily Fox 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
FW 20 Jamaica Cheyna Matthews 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
DF 4 England Gemma Bonner 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
DF 18 United States Kaleigh Riehl 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
DF 12 United States Sinclaire Miramontez 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
MF 8 Sweden Freja Olofsson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
FW 22 United States Katie McClure 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
HC - Northern Ireland Christy Holly 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 3 1 25 1 0 0 0 0 29 1 0

References[]

  1. ^ "National Women's Soccer League announces expansion to Louisville in 2021" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 22, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Aulbach, Lucas; Yates, Dominique (August 12, 2020). "Christy Holly will lead Racing Louisville FC, the city's new NWSL franchise, in 2021". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Racing Louisville FC Adds Franchise's First Roster Addition in Trade with Chicago" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 26, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "Roster". racingloufc.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Racing Louisville FC schedule 2021". Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "The International Women's Cup". Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "2021 NWSL CHALLENGE CUP SET TO BE PLAYED IN HOME MARKETS; KICKOFF SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved May 21, 2021.

External links[]

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