May 5, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville takes on the Orlando Pride
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: NWSL)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Barbra Banda’s 17th-minute goal stood as the difference in a 1-0 Orlando Pride win over shorthanded Racing Louisville at Inter&Co Stadium on a warm Sunday evening in central Florida.
It was Racing’s first loss of the season after a club-best six-game unbeaten run to open the campaign, and it was also the first time this season Racing trailed in a match. The home team in the Louisville-Orlando all-time series has not lost yet in nine meetings between the teams.
Racing coach Bev Yanez left the game encouraged by her team’s effort and performance, particularly on the defensive end against one of the league’s most incisive attacking groups.
“There were moments of absolute brilliance today from the group,” Yanez said, “We continue to show that we are a top-level team, and we believe that. We massively believe that we’re a playoff team, and we’ll continue to show that we are a playoff team. The effort’s always controllable for me, and I think the group is constantly looking eager, constantly wanting to grow in the right direction. They showcase that every single game. It’s only a matter of time before it continues to click and clicks in a massive direction for us.”
Racing (1-1-5, 8 points) remained in the NWSL playoff picture after the loss, holding onto eighth place in the 14-team league. The Louisvillians will break from their four road games in five weeks with a quick return home for Friday’s 8 p.m. showdown with third-place Washington, a match that will be nationally broadcast on Prime Video.
The Louisvillians leave Orlando having produced a solid performance despite missing starting midfielders Ary Borges and Savannah DeMelo. They played nearly even on expected goals and final third entries while carrying the majority of possession. Most of the best scoring chances for Racing came in the first half, with Uchenna Kanu missing high on two shots and Kayla Fischer forcing a diving save from Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The chance of the game came in the 82nd minute, when a ball over the top of Orlando’s defense landed in Elexa Bahr’s path. The forward held off a defender before trying a toe-poke underneath Moorhouse, who rushed off her line and did just enough to parry the close-range opportunity.
“That’s a tough one,” said defender Lauren Milliet. “I thought we had some good…