May 11, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Three-time NWSL champion and four-time all-league defender Abby Erceg has agreed to a contract extension with Racing Louisville FC, the club announced Thursday.
The 33-year-old New Zealander’s new contract with Racing now runs through the 2024 campaign.
“Deciding to stay on with Racing was an easy decision as I’ve had nothing but great experiences so far,” Erceg said. “I’m thankful to the club for investing in me as a player, and I’m eager to do my part in helping the club establish itself as a top contender in the coming years.”
“We are thrilled to have Abby as an anchor on our backline over the next two years,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “She is one of the most experienced players in the world, and her leadership has been instrumental in crafting the kind of culture we want in our locker room and on the field.”
Erceg came to Racing via trade this past offseason, with Louisville picking up the center back and left back Carson Pickett from the North Carolina Courage. A decorated National Women’s Soccer League veteran, Erceg was the 2018 Defender of the Year and has won three regular-season NWSL Shields and the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup over her 10 years in the league.
She has started all six matches and played every minute for Racing so far this campaign, scoring the team’s first goal of the season, a towering header off a corner in a 2-2 draw against the Washington Spirit.
Now retired from international soccer, Erceg was a mainstay in the New Zealand national team lineup, making 146 appearances. She played in four World Cups and four Summer Olympics with the Football Ferns, scoring six goals.
“Abby is one of the best center backs in the NWSL,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said. “She is really professional and has a lot of experience, and she is not afraid to share that and give the players around her advice. She’s also a big help for me as a head coach – she is someone to have dialogue with, and that’s one of the reasons she’s in our leadership group. I’m really excited to see her stay in the club over long-term.”
Erceg’s extended contract continues the ongoing building process of Racing’s roster foundation, with the defender joining goalkeeper Katie Lund, defenders Lauren Milliet and Carson Pickett, midfielders Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell and winger Paige Monaghan in signing contract extensions through at least the 2024 campaign.
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