March 18, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Portland, Oregon – Three newcomers scored goals for Racing Louisville in a 3-1 win over the U.S. Women’s National Team Under-23s on Saturday night, giving Racing two wins in three matches at the Portland Thorns preseason tournament this week at Providence Park.
Finnish defender Elli Pikkujämsä, filling in at defensive midfielder, put Racing ahead in the 14th minute with a well-timed run and back-post header. The U-23s tied the game in the 24th minute against the run of play, but newly arrived forward Uchenna Kanu’s goal in the 35th minute proved to be the game-winner.
Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges headed in an insurance goal just before halftime, nodding in a 28-yard cross from Wang Shuang just before U.S. goalkeeper Neeku Purcell could get to the ball.
All three goal scorers rang up a score for Racing for the first time.
The win marked the completion of a nine-week preseason, with Racing now turning its focus to the 2023 regular season and the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup.
Louisville opens the campaign on the road next Sunday, taking on the Houston Dash at 7 p.m. ET. The home opener is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1, against the Washington Spirit.
Racing Louisville FC vs. U.S. Women’s National Team U-23s
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET kickoff
Providence Park
Portland, Oregon
Racing Louisville (3, 0, 3)
U.S. WNT U23s (1, 0, 1)
Racing Louisville (4-3-3): 31 – Kelsey Daugherty (46′ 24 – Jordyn Bloomer); 16 – Carson Pickett (76′ 23 – Trinity Watson), 20 – Abby Erceg (c) (66′ 44 – Satara Murray), 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 2 – Lauren Milliet; 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä (46′ 5 – Paige Monaghan), 7 – Savannah DeMelo (66′ 9 – Kayla Fischer), 8 – Ary Borges (46′ 3 – Zaneta Wyne); 14 – Jess McDonald (66′ 21 – Parker Goins), 29 – Uchenna Kanu (46′ 22 – Kirsten Davis), 77 – Wang Shuang (82′ 27 – Alex Chidiac)
U.S. WNT U23s (4-3-3): 12 – Neeku Purcell; 7 – Ellie Wheeler, 8 – Lauren Flynn, 10 – Eva Gaetino, 19 – Ayo Oke (c); 16 – Lexi Missimo, 17 – Sarah Weber, 22 – Annie Karich; 2 – Avery Patterson, 3 – Reilyn Turner, 15 – Payton Linnehan
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