Veteran’s Day
Racing Louisville did something they’ve never done before on Friday night: they rallied from a two-goal deficit to draw the Washington Spirit 2-2. The comeback was thanks to veterans Nadia Nadim and Jess McDonald who combined for both goals. These goals are Nadim’s second and third on the season, but only the first two in the run of play after returning from an ACL, MCL, and meniscus tear last season. McDonald is the NWSL’s All-Time assists leader and these two stats give her even more padding to keep her in the lead.
The game started without either team able to get a foothold for around the first 20 minutes. Neither team even got a shot off until the 19th minute, but once the Spirit started, they couldn’t be stopped. They attacked relentlessly until the 34th minute when Trinity Rodman outran Emily Fox along the right flank and sent a rolling ball across goal and into the far post. Less than 10 minutes later, the Spirit added to it when a shot from Ashley Hatch was initially blocked by keeper Katie Lund but collected and sent in by Madison Elwell.
“It was a really tough first half,” admitted Nadim after the match. Still, the team got together and discussed how the game wasn’t over yet. They still had time to make a comeback. Nadim told her teammates “if they can score two goals, we can definitely do that” and it ends up she was right.
Immediately in the second half, Racing came out on the front foot. In the 50th minute, DeMelo made a run into the box and her cross barely missed the feet of Jess McDonald. After a corner was deflected a minute later, Julia Lester collected and passed to Nealy Martin who got a good shot off. In the 56th minute, Nadim was subbed in and made a quick impact. Racing’s first goal was scored in the 66th when a through ball from McDonald found Nadim’s feet and Nadim was able to charge in the box and beat the keeper one-on-one. Both teams exchanged chances for the next 15 minutes but Racing remained energized and hungry for the win. In the 88th minute, a long ball from Emily Fox was collected by McDonald to the right of the penalty box. She got a cross off that found the head of Nadim and the game was tied.
“It was worth more than one point for us,” said Racing coach Kim Björkegren after the match. “We know that we’re maybe the youngest team in the league. For this team to learn and see that fire, they can give us a point in maybe one of the most difficult away games in this…
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