Racing Louisville FC stumbled out of the NWSL’s international break on Sunday, falling 4-0 to the Houston Dash at Lynn Family Stadium.
The host side’s offense failed to find a rhythm offensively in its first game without star striker Nadia Nadim, who suffered a season-ending injury earlier this month. Racing failed to put a shot on target against a Houston squad that was efficient in its attack.
The Dash netted goals on their first two chances of the afternoon, and that was all the visitors needed to drop Louisville’s record to 4-10-5. The club sits nine points shy of qualifying for the NWSL playoffs with five regular season games to go.
“Disappointing” is how Racing’s interim head coach, Mario Sanchez, termed the result. “I thought we had a really good 10 days of preparation of training. I was disappointed to give up some of the goals that we gave up. So, we move forward and regroup and get ready for the next one.”
Houston’s Bri Visalli capitalized on a Racing turnover in its own half to open scoring in the 34th minute, U.S. international Kristie Mewis doubled the lead in the 43rd minute, and the margin continued growing in the second half.
A 72nd-minute scramble in the box concluded when a deflected ball landed to Katie Naughton for goal No. 3. Mewis assisted the fourth, setting up a smooth strike by Nichelle Prince to round out scoring.
“I thought the first 20 minutes we came out all right,” said Racing midfielder Savannah McCaskill. “We kinda had them on the back foot at times. We were managing their counter attacks pretty well, but at the end of the day we talked about all week not forcing the ball, and I think those first two goals are prime examples of that.
“We forced the ball into areas that didn’t need to be forced and turned over right at the top of our 18 — gave them easy opportunities to finish and score putting us on the back foot going into halftime.”
In addition to Nadim, Racing lacked a key piece to its central defense with Gemma Bonner out injured Sunday. Sanchez in response made four changes to his last lineup back on Sept. 11, including Brooke Hendrix’s return to the starting 11 along the back line.
Starting forward Cheyna Matthews tried shots that went high in the seventh and 12th minutes. Looking for more, Sanchez also made a pair of substitutions at the halftime break, bringing on strikers Jorian Baucom and Ebony Salmon. Baucom ripped a screaming shot just wide right seconds into stoppage time to mark Racing’s third and final attempt of the afternoon.
“Obviously we’re all competitors, so we’re not happy with the result,” said Racing midfielder Lauren Milliet. “…I think we still have a lot to play for. We still have lot to work for. Again, it is bigger picture, so I think a lot of us just want to perform. We want to go out and make sure we’re representing the city of Louisville, representing ourselves, representing our teammates.”
While not mathematically eliminated from postseason competition, Racing faces a tough scenario to make it. The ladies in lavender get their next shot on a quick turnaround to host NJ/NY Gotham FC — and the retiring U.S. star Carli Lloyd — at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lynn Family Stadium.
“The emphasis has never been on the playoffs per se,” Sanchez said. “It’s getting better, and one game at a time it continues… We’ve got to make sure we continue to grow, and that’s the priority — to get better every day and prepare for the next game and have a go at the next game.”
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash
Date: Sept. 26, 2021
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
Weather: 75 degrees, mostly sunny
Scoring
Racing Louisville FC (0, 0, 0)
Houston Dash (2, 2, 4)
Goals
Houston Dash:
34’ Bri Visalli
43’- Kristie Mewis (Nichelle Prince assist)
72’- Katie Naughton
83’-Nichelle Prince (Kristie Mewis)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC: 1-Michelle Betos, 3-Erin Simon (83’ 12-Sinclaire Miramontez), 14-Nealy Martin, 15-Brooke Hendrix, 11-Emily Fox, 8-Freja Olofsson (83’ 19-Taylor Otto), 7-Savannah McCaskill, 2-Lauren Milliet (83’ 22-Katie McClure), 5-Cece Kizer, 17-Yuki Nagasato (45’ 9-Ebony Salmon), 20-Cheyna Matthews (45’ 33-Jorian Baucom)
Subs not used: 23-Katie Lund, 4-Gemma Bonner, 18-Kaleigh Riehl, 16-Julia Ashley
Houston Dash: 1-Jane Campbell, 2-Allysha Chapman, 25-Katie Naughton, 23-Abby Dahlkemper, 9-Haley Hanson (83’ 11-Megan Oyster), 13-Sophie Schmidt (74’ 5-Gabby Seiler), 19-Kristie Mewis, 6-Shea Groom (79’ 33-Makamae Gomera-Stevens), 14-Bri Visalli (74’ 22-Jasmyne Spencer), 8-Nichelle Prince, 12-Veronica Latsko (83’ 34-Michaela Abam)
Subs not used: 20- Lindsey Harris, 35-Michelle Alozie
Discipline
Racing Louisville FC: 16’ Cheyna Matthews (yellow card)
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville FC / Houston Dash
Shots: 3/17
Shots on Goal: 0/7
Saves: 3/0
Corner Kicks: 1/6
Fouls: 9/10
Offside: 2/3
Referee: Matt Thompson
