June 20, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville on game night
(Racing Louisville FC)
LOS ANGELES – Racing Louisville rallied from two goals down but fell, 3-2, to Angel City after a late Sydney Leroux breakaway goal at BMO Stadium.
The loss was Racing’s second consecutive defeat in this three-game, eight-day stretch.
“I thought once we gained a rhythm in that first half and then how we came out second half – incredibly proud of the group for the second-half performance,” said Racing coach Bev Yanez. “I thought we were very dominant in trying to get into our structures higher up the pitch. Obviously we need to put some chances away. I thought we created a lot. We got punished on that transitional moment. It’s always going to be about learning – you’re either winning or you’re learning.”
Racing Louisville (3-4-6, 15 points) retained eighth place – playoff position – in the NWSL standings despite the loss because of goal differential. But halfway through the season, the Louisvillians are in the thick of a fierce battle for the final few playoff spots as the league’s top five separates itself from the pack.
On Wednesday, Racing’s first mid-week match of the season, Louisville started slow, conceding early chances to Angel City before the Californians broke through.
Angel City’s Kennedy Fuller converted Madison Curry’s pass with a one-timer from 12 yards out in the 17th minute. Rocky Rodriguez added a second in the 32nd minute.
From there, Racing took control of the game, pushing possession into Angel City territory and eventually winning a penalty when Angel City defender Megan Reid stepped on Racing forward Elexa Bahr’s foot on the inside edge of the box.
Louisville midfielder Taylor Flint smacked in her first goal in a Racing jersey, slotting home a right-footed penalty into the top right corner in the 41st minute. It was her first penalty goal as a pro after converting a school-record nine penalties at the University of Colorado.
Racing peppered Angel City’s goal with a flurry of shots and chances to open the second half. In the 64th minute, Racing finally knocked the door open when Carson Pickett scored her first NWSL goal in two years with a left-footed drive from Emma Sears’s cross.
Louisville outshot Angel City 13-5 in the second half, with 23 touches in Angel City’s defensive penalty area and 37 final-third entries. Abby Erceg was unlucky not to put Racing ahead in the 81st minute when…