June 11, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC with possession against Angel City FC
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: USA Today Sports Images)
A stoppage-time penalty kick derailed Racing Louisville FC’s comeback bid Saturday against Angel City FC, with a 3-2 defeat running the club’s losing streak to three games.
Savannah McCaskill – traded from Racing to Angel City in the offseason – registered a brace, netting the late penalty in front of 6,139 fans at Lynn Family Stadium.
Louisville had rallied to tie thanks to a brilliant outing from Savannah DeMelo, only days separated from being named to the NWSL’s Best XI for May – her first month in the league. DeMelo both registered an assist and earned a penalty for Racing, which figured to share points until the 90th minute.
That’s when goalkeeper Katie Lund came off her line to cut down Angel City’s Simone Charley in the box, leading to a late try from the spot.
“I think our performance today was much, much better than previous games,” said Racing’s head coach, Kim Björkegren. “There was good energy in the group. For the biggest part of the game we were the better team. We created more chances, more shots and more situations in the final third.
“Everything is there. It’s just small details. I feel for the girls, because I think they deserved more today.”
The 2021 expansion side (Racing) and 2022 expansion team (Angel City) went back and forth in an understandably chippy game. Not only was there the McCaskill connection, but the visitors from Los Angeles featured U.S. national teamer Christen Press, whose NWSL playing rights were transferred from Louisville.
Racing opened scoring in the 29th minute when DeMelo whipped in a free kick from the right flank that defender Gemma Bonner acrobatically flicked in for the game’s opening goal. Bonner made it her first regular season goal with Racing and DeMelo her first assist.
Working on the ball later in the 62nd minute, DeMelo was taken down in the box by Angel City’s Megan Reid. Substitute forward Nadia Nadim knocked in the ensuing penalty kick to equalize after the visitors had rallied to lead.
“You could really see the energy was there today, and we created so many chances again, especially in the first half,” Bonner said. “…On the flip side, it’s those moments we have to defend. They didn’t really have many chances, but the ones they did, they scored. We’ve got to ultimately stop that and do the same…