August 17, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC versus AC Milan
(Racing Louisville FC)
New signing Wang Shuang and star forward Nadia Nadim scored on Wednesday to help Racing Louisville FC beat Italian club AC Milan, 2-0, and advance to The Women’s Cup final for the second consecutive year.
Racing will host fellow NWSL club OL Reign at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium to decide which American side takes home The Women’s Cup trophy.
OL reign rallied to beat Mexico’s Club America, 2-1, in the other semifinal earlier Wednesday, while Tokyo Verdy Beleza edged London-based Tottenham Hotspur, 2-1, in the fifth-place match.
“Overall it was a good performance for us,” said Racing coach Kim Björkegren. “The first 30 minutes of the game was one of the better starts we’ve had this season. We controlled the game, and we created a lot of chances.”
For Racing, the first win in nearly three months came in large part because of a fast start. Nadim nodded in a header off midfielder Savannah DeMelo’s beautifully-placed free kick to open the scoring in the 13th minute, and Wang volleyed in a fantastic goal from 19 yards out to double Racing’s lead 11 minutes later.
From there, Racing had two other goals ruled out as it produced a number of chances and controlled most of the match.
Wang, who joined Racing last week, showed why she is a mainstay in the Chinese national team and considered a midfield maestro, consistently playing smart passes into dangerous channels and earning Player of the Match honors.
“She’s amazing,” Racing forward Kirsten Davis said of Wang. “She (hasn’t) been here too long, and everyone loves her so much. She’s already making such a big impact for us, and she’s so easy to play with. She’s smart and knows the game so well.”
Much of the action in the earlier semifinal came in the second half. Club America scored first through Kiana Palacios, who turned in a deflection off a corner in the 60th minute. But OL Reign equalized 18 minutes later with a rocket of a shot from Tziarra King, whose well-struck, curling effort found the far corner of the net from 18 yards out.
Olivia Van der Jagt was credited with the game-winner three minutes later after she nudged in the go-ahead goal amid a scrum in front of Club America’s frame.
The win sets up the third meeting this year between OL Reign and Racing, with the teams tying on both occasions – 2-2 in Seattle in May and 1-1 in Louisville just two…