March 30, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC on game night
(Racing Louisville FC)
PORTLAND, Oregon – Racing Louisville started fast on Saturday against the Portland Thorns, with Uchenna Kanu registering the fastest two goals from an individual player in National Women’s Soccer League history.
But second-half goals from Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey goal salvaged a point for Portland, leaving the match a 2-2 draw after Racing led for 93 minutes.
Louisville nevertheless left Providence Park with its first two goals and first point there in club history, entering the first idle week of the season with three ties in three matches.
“Our first-ever point at Portland, our first-ever goals at Portland, and we now hold the record of the fastest NWSL brace in history,” said Racing coach Bev Yanez. “Obviously we wanted to close this match out. We will continue to find ways to make sure and ensure that we close games. We wanted to walk away with three points, 110%, and we will continue to work on that.”
Racing Louisville (0-0-3, 3 points) opened a season with three consecutive draws for the second straight year.
“Experience helps,” said defender Abby Erceg, the team’s vice-captain. “I think having some players come in this season has helped. They understand what it takes to win, and it takes a little bit of time to teach the newer players and the players that don’t have as much experience winning.”
The match started similarly to the 2-2 draw against Orlando in the season opener, with Racing getting rapid-fire goals.
Kanu first scored in the third minute, collecting a deflected clearance from Portland, turning and scoring with her left foot to the back post.
Three minutes later, Reilyn Turner drilled a cross from the corner flag into the penalty area, and Kanu outjumped two Portland defenders to head in her second.
They were the second and third NWSL regular-season goals of Kanu’s career – and her third this season. She now has four goals across all competitions for Racing dating back to last year’s NWSL Challenge Cup.
“First of all, I’m excited that I got two goals and I didn’t even know I made history today, and I’m super, super thankful for that,” Kanu said. “And of course, I’m proud of my girls. I think we played really well. That last minute was really, really intense for us, and we just need to find a way to grind through the whole game, through the last minute – but overall the girls put in everything…
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