This time last year, Racing Louisville had only weeks prior announced its name and hired a coach. The 2021 NWSL expansion franchise didn’t have a player on its roster.
Yet on Saturday, Racing will play for a trophy against FC Bayern Munich.
The ladies in lavender — along with the German champs — advanced Wednesday in the first session of The Women’s Cup, an inaugural four-team tournament at Lynn Family Stadium.
Bayern prevailed over the French champion Paris Saint-Germain via a penalty kick shootout before Racing defeated the Chicago Red Stars in the same fashion, albeit in front of a far more partisan crowd.
Those results set Saturday’s schedule in the Butchertown neighborhood. PSG will kick off against Chicago at 3 p.m. in The Women’s Cup’s third-place game before the final at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available at TheWomensCup.world.
“It is one of the clubs that I have admired and have a great level of appreciation for what they’ve done for the women’s game but also the game worldwide,” Racing coach Christy Holly said of Bayern. “To see the headlines that Racing Louisville is playing Bayern Munich in Louisville on Saturday night, I’m not sure there were too many people who would’ve believed that if you told them 18 months ago.
“That’s a testament to the fans that have been supporting us and the ownership that has invested in us not only money but time, energy and motivation to move this thing forward to give this incredible platform for women’s athletes. It’s a magnificent privilege but one that we definitely want to take advantage of and try and make a statement for this club and this city.”
A Racing-record 7,310 took in the dramatic doubleheader to begin the tournament, which included a pair of 2021 UEFA Champions League finalists; Chicago, a founding NWSL member; and the newcomers Racing.
Ebony Salmon dispossessed a Red Stars central defender in just the 10th minute of the nightcap, then slotted a shot between the goalkeeper’s legs to move Racing ahead. The Red Stars matched during a second half they largely dominated when Louisville failed to clear a cross. It landed to the feet of Kealia Watt, who finished with relative ease.
So ended regulation, and the sides each took a point for the purpose of the regular season standings.
In the ensuing shootout, Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos stopped the Red Stars’ first penalty try, and conversions followed from Yuki Nagasato, Savannah McCaskill and Sinclaire Miramontez. Lauren Milliet kept the momentum alive by smashing a shot off the left post and in, while Katie McClure’s game-winner hit the post, caromed off Chicago’s goal keeper and rolled in.
“As a goalkeeper, you save one you’ve done your job. You save two, that’s great. You save three and you’re a hero.” Betos said. “I saved one, but it was up to the girls to step up. They had great PKs and great finishes with some of them being un-saveable. All credit to them.”
“I was really happy to see us hosting this tournament,” McClure said. “It’s awesome what this organization has been able to put on with a great facility. For us to be in the championship, we are going to fight for it and try to win. Hopefully we can win the trophy.”
Hours earlier, Bayern climbed out of an early 1-0 hole with goals from Linda Dallman and Lea Schuller to force penalties against PSG. The club will play for yet another championship Saturday after taking the French Cup earlier this month in the leadup to its 2021-2022 season.
Saturday’s games will air on Paramount+ in the United States. Bayern (Magenta Sport) and PSG (Facebook) will pick up the feed on their respective platforms, while fans outside of America, German and France can subscribe to atafootball.com for the stream.
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Chicago Red Stars
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m.
Weather: 84 degrees, drizzle
Player of the Match: Michelle Betos
Attendance: 7,310
Scoring
Racing Louisville FC (1, 0, 1)
Chicago Red Stars (0, 1, 1)
Goals
Racing Louisville FC:
10’, Ebony Salmon
Chicago Red Stars:
57’, Kealia Watt
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville FC / Chicago Red Stars
Shots: 8 / 20
Shots on Goal: 1 / 7
Fouls: 7 / 13
Offside: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 1 / 4
Saves: 6 / 0
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC: 1 – Michelle Betos, 8 – Freja Olofsson, 18 – Kaleigh Riehl, 11 – Emily Fox, 4 – Gemma Bonner, 20 – Cheyna Matthews (59’ 2 – Lauren Milliet), 9 – Ebony Salmon (79’ 22 – Katie McClure), 3 – Erin Simon (72’ 12 – Sinclaire Miramontez), 5 – CeCe Kizer (72’ 13 – Emina Ekic), 17 – Yuki Nagasato, 7 – Savannah McCaskill
Subs not used: 19 – Taylor Otto, 23 – Katie Lund, 15 – Brooke Hendrix, 14 – Nealy Martin
Chicago Red Stars: 38 – Cassie Miller, 11 – Sarah Gorden, 6 – Casey Krueger, 26 – Tierna Davidson, 3 – Arin Wright (75’ 23 – Tatumn Milazzo), 24 – Danielle Colaprico, 13 – Morgan Gautrat, (90+2’ 7 – Nikki Stanton), 15 – Makenzy Doniak (45’ 16 – Sarah Woldmoe), 33 – Katie Johnson (45’ 5 – Rachel Hill), 2 – Kealia Watt, 9 – Mallory Pugh
Subs not used: 4 – Alyssa Mautz, 21 – Emily Boyd, 14 – Zoe Morse, 18 – Ella Stevens, 28 – Kayla Sharpies
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville FC: Salmon (yellow caution) 57’
Racing Louisville FC: Riehl (yellow caution) 65’
Racing Louisville FC: Nagasato (yellow caution) 90’
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referees: Kali Smith & Noah Matos
Fourth Official: Katherine McCormick