2021 Racing Louisville FC season

Racing Louisville
2021 season
OwnerJohn Neace
ManagerChristy Holly (until Aug. 31)
Mario Sanchez (interim)
StadiumLynn Family Stadium
NWSL9th
NWSL PlayoffsDNQ
Challenge Cup5th (East Div.)
2021 International Women's CupChampions
Top goalscorerLeague: Cece Kizer, Ebony Salmon (6)
All: Cece Kizer (8)
Highest home attendance8,488 (vs. ORL, October 16)
Lowest home attendance5,843 (vs. KC, August 8)
Average home league attendance6,565
Biggest winCHI 0 - 3 LOU (June 26)
Biggest defeatNCC 5 - 0 LOU (May 28)
2022 →

The 2021 Racing Louisville FC season was the club's first season of play. Racing Louisville competed 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.

Holly was fired for cause on August 31, 2021, and the club named Mario Sanchez, head of the club's youth academy and former collegiate coach, as the interim head coach.[4]

Current squad

As of June 9, 2021[5]

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 Shelby Money
22 FW United States USA Katie McClure
23 GK United States USA Katie Lund
24 MF United States USA Noelle Higginson
26 DF United States USA Addisyn Merrick
27 FW Dominican Republic DOM Vanessa Kara
33 FW United States USA Jorian Baucom

Competitions

Preseason friendlies

February 27, 2021 Racing Louisville 4–0 Louisville Cardinals Louisville, Kentucky
Milliet 5'
Kizer 22', 24', 49'		 [1] Stadium: Thurman Hutchins Park
Attendance: 0
March 7, 2021 Vanderbilt Commodores 1–2 Racing Louisville Nashville, Tennessee
Kelley 68' [2] Milliet 43'
Kizer 49' (pen.)		 Stadium: Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex
Attendance: 0
March 13, 2021 Racing Louisville 4–0 West Virginia Mountaineers Louisville, Kentucky
Ekic 17'
McClure 41', 59'
Baucom 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
 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.[6]

April 10, 2021 1 Racing Louisville 2–2 Orlando Pride Louisville, Kentucky
7:00 PM ET Kizer 12'
Fox Yellow card 66'
Baucom Yellow card 83'
Hendrix 90+3'		 Report Kornieck Yellow card 35', 44'
Kim 88'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,300
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant referees: Brooke Mayo, 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 90+3'		 Report Olofsson Yellow card 52' Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 0
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant referees: Ben Pilgrim, Nicholas Seymour
Fourth official: Nabil Bensalah
April 26, 2021 3 Racing Louisville 2–3 North Carolina Courage Louisville, Kentucky
6:00 PM ET Kizer 24'
Baucom 75'		 Report Pickett Yellow card 12'
Hamilton 33'
Kurtz Yellow card 49'
Debinha 57'
Ashley 84' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 3,742
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant referees: Rebecca Luther, 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, 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 24 13 5 6 33 17 +16 44 NWSL Shield
2 OL Reign 24 13 3 8 37 24 +13 42 Playoffs – Semi-finals
3 Washington Spirit (C) 24 11 6 7 29 26 +3 39 Playoffs – First round
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 5 8 28 28 0 38
5 NJ/NY Gotham FC 24 8 11 5 29 21 +8 35
6 North Carolina Courage 24 9 6 9 28 23 +5 33
7 Houston Dash 24 9 5 10 31 31 0 32
8 Orlando Pride 24 7 7 10 27 32 −5 28
9 Racing Louisville FC 24 5 7 12 21 40 −19 22
10 Kansas City 24 3 7 14 15 36 −21 16
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

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
24 5 7 12 21 40  −19 22 4 4 4 12 15  −3 1 3 8 9 25  −16

Last updated: October 31, 2021.
Source: Match reports

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
GroundHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHA
ResultDWLLWLWLDLLWDDLLDLLLLWDD
Updated to match(es) played on October 31, 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, Chris Schurfranz
Fourth official: Nabil Bensalah
21 May 2 Racing Louisville 2–0 Washington Spirit Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Ekic 76'
Kizer 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, Maggie Short
Fourth official: Michael Samour
28 May 3 North Carolina Courage 5–0 Racing Louisville Cary, North Carolina
7:00 PM ET Erceg 7'
Mathias Yellow card 56'
L Williams 63'
Debinha 68'
Mace 75', 90'		 Report Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Matthew Franz
Assistant referees: Jeremy Smith, 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 8'
Rodriguez 48'
Horan Yellow card 72', 77'		 Report Martin Yellow card 49'
McClure Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: Not reported
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant referees: Salma Perez, 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 72'		 Report Latsko Yellow card 7' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,971
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistant referees: Meghan Mullen, 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 27', 33' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,334
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistant referees: Kali Smith, 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', 56'
Salmon 38'
McCaskill 62'		 Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 2,626
Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant referees: Melissa Beck, 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 30' (pen.)
Charley 52'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,822
Referee: Karen Callado
Assistant referees: Brooke Mayo, 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 90+4'		 Report Salmon 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 5'
Sam Staab 58'
Aubrey Bledsoe Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,422
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant referees: Tiffini Turpin, 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 27', 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', 55'
Fox Yellow card 35'
McCaskill Yellow card 38'
Salmon 43'
Matthews 86', Yellow card 90'		 Report Pickett Yellow card 45+1'
Jenkins 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 83' Report Nadim 13'
Bonner Yellow card 67'
Riehl Yellow card 90+6'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant referees: Tyler Wyrostek, Ian Mangione
Fourth official: Jennifer Dumaine
18 August 14 Racing Louisville 1–1 Chicago Red Stars Louisville, Kentucky
8:20 PM ET Salmon 10', Yellow card 57'
Riehl Yellow card 65'
Nagasato Yellow card 90'		 Report Watt 57' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 7,310
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant referees: Kali Smith, 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 17' (o.g.)
Hamilton 40'
LaBonta Yellow card 45+2'
Weber Yellow card 50'
Vincent Yellow card 79'		 Report Nadim Yellow card 27'
Kizer 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 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 1–1 OL Reign Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Nadim 23' Report Balcer 74', Yellow card 80' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,337
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistant referees: Alicia Messer, Maggie Short
Fourth official: Jarin Harrell
11 September 18 Orlando Pride 3–1 Racing Louisville Orlando, Florida
7:00 PM ET Leroux 30'
Marta 34'
Morgan 65'		 Report Kizer 51' Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 3,822
Referee: Elton Garcia
26 September 19 Racing Louisville 0–4 Houston Dash Louisville, Kentucky
3:00 PM ET Matthews Yellow card 16' Report Visalli 34'
Mewis 43'
Naughton 72'
Prince 83'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,113
Referee: Matt Thompson
6 October 20 North Carolina Courage 3–1 Racing Louisville Cary, North Carolina
7:30 PM ET L Williams 14'
Rodriguez 19'
Debinha 30'		 Report McCaskill 24' Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
9 October 21 Washington Spirit 3–0 Racing Louisville Washington, D.C.
7:30 PM ET Hatch 8', 80'
Sullivan 52'		 Report McCaskill Yellow card 38' Stadium: Audi Field
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
16 October 22 Racing Louisville 3–1 Orlando Pride Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Salmon 45+1'
McClure 52'
Nagasato 77'		 Report Taylor 9', Yellow card 16' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 8,488
Referee: Matthew Franz
28 October 23 Racing Louisville 1–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM ET Ashley Yellow card 16'
Kizer 52'		 Report Onumonu 7'
Lloyd Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,508
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Note: Match originally scheduled for October 1; postponed per league-wide suspension of play for Oct. 1–3.[7]
31 October 24 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–1 Racing Louisville Harrison, New Jersey
3:00 PM ET Purce Yellow card 45+1'
Lloyd 53'
Freeman Yellow card 72'		 Report Salmon Yellow card 54'
Kizer 69' (pen.)
Nagasato Yellow card 81'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Referee: Karen Abt

The Women's Cup

Main article: 2021 The Women's Cup

Racing Louisville hosted and participated in the inaugural The Women's Cup, a four-team competition featuring two sides from the NWSL and two sides from Europe.[8] 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 Katie Lund converted her spot kick and saved the attempt by her counterpart, Laura Benkarth.[9][10]

21 August Championship match Racing Louisville United States 2–2
(7–6 p)		 Germany FC Bayern Munich Louisville, Kentucky
6:00 PM ET
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 7,813
Penalties

NWSL Playoffs

Further information: NWSL Playoffs

Racing Louisville did not qualify for the NWSL Playoffs. Playoffs will start on November 6 and will conclude with the NWSL Championship on November 20, to be held at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville.[11]

Player statistics

Top scorers

Place Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL Total
1 FW 5 United States Cece Kizer 2 0 6 8
2 FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 6 6
3 FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 3 3
3 FW 17 Japan Yūki Nagasato 0 1 2 3
5 FW 33 United States Jorian Baucom 1 1 0 2
5 FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 0 2 2
7 DF 15 United States Brooke Hendrix 1 0 0 1
7 FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 1
7 FW 20 Jamaica Cheyna Matthews 0 0 1 1
7 FW 22 United States Katie McClure 0 0 1 1
Total 4 2 21 27

Assist leaders

Place Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL Total
1 FW 5 United States Cece Kizer 1 0 3 4
2 FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 3 3
3 FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 0 2 2
3 MF 2 United States Lauren Milliet 0 1 1 2
3 FW 17 Japan Yūki Nagasato 0 0 2 2
6 DF 11 United States Emily Fox 1 0 0 1
6 MF 8 Sweden Freja Olofsson 1 0 0 1
6 DF 3 United States Erin Simon 1 0 0 1
6 FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 1
6 FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 1 1
6 FW 22 United States Katie McClure 0 0 1 1
Total 4 1 14 19

Clean sheets

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

Disciplinary

Pos. No. Name CC IWC NWSL Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card
FW 7 United States Savannah McCaskill 0 1 5 0 6 0
FW 17 Japan Yūki Nagasato 0 0 4 0 4 0
DF 18 United States Kaleigh Riehl 0 0 3 0 3 0
MF 33 United States Jorian Baucom 1 0 2 0 3 0
FW 20 Jamaica Cheyna Matthews 0 0 3 0 3 0
DF 14 United States Nealy Martin 0 0 2 0 2 0
DF 11 United States Emily Fox 1 0 1 0 2 0
DF 4 England Gemma Bonner 0 0 2 0 2 0
DF 18 United States Kaleigh Riehl 0 0 2 0 2 0
FW 10 Denmark Nadia Nadim 0 0 2 0 2 0
FW 9 England Ebony Salmon 0 0 2 0 2 0
DF 12 United States Sinclaire Miramontez 0 0 1 1 1 1
MF 8 Sweden Freja Olofsson 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW 22 United States Katie McClure 0 0 1 0 1 0
HC - Northern Ireland Christy Holly 0 0 1 0 1 0
FW 13 United States Emina Ekic 0 0 1 0 1 0
DF 3 United States Erin Simon 0 0 1 0 1 0
DF 16 United States Julia Ashley 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 3 1 31 1 35 1

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. ^ Garnder, Hayes (August 31, 2021). "Racing Louisville FC fires first head coach Christy Holly 'for cause'". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "Roster". racingloufc.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Racing Louisville FC schedule 2021". Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "NWSL Announces Update Regarding This Weekend's Matches". Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "The International Women's Cup". Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "Lund stars as Racing tops Bayern to win The Women's Cup" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  10. ^ "Racing Louisville vs. Bayern Munich: Racing Louisville wins on penalties!". Bavarian Football Works. August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP MOVED FROM PORTLAND TO LOUISVILLE AT PLAYERS' REQUEST". The Athletic. Retrieved October 13, 2021.