
A stoppage-time penalty kick derailed Racing Louisville FC’s comeback bid Saturday against Angel City FC, with a 3-2 defeat running the club’s losing streak to three games.
Savannah McCaskill — traded from Racing to Angel City in the offseason — registered a brace, netting the late penalty in front of 6,139 fans at Lynn Family Stadium.
Louisville had rallied to tie thanks to a brilliant outing from Savannah DeMelo, only days separated from being named to the NWSL’s Best XI for May — her first month in the league. DeMelo both registered an assist and earned a penalty for Racing, which figured to share points until the 90th minute.
That’s when goalkeeper Katie Lund came off her line to cut down Angel City’s Simone Charley in the box, leading to a late try from the spot.
“I think our performance today was much, much better than previous games,” said Racing’s head coach, Kim Björkegren. “There was good energy in the group. For the biggest part of the game we were the better team. We created more chances, more shots and more situations in the final third.
“Everything is there. It’s just small details. I feel for the girls, because I think they deserved more today.”
The 2021 expansion side (Racing) and 2022 expansion team (Angel City) went back and forth in an understandably chippy game. Not only was there the McCaskill connection, but the visitors from Los Angeles featured U.S. national teamer Christen Press, whose NWSL playing rights were transferred from Louisville.
Racing opened scoring in the 29th minute when DeMelo whipped in a free kick from the right flank that defender Gemma Bonner acrobatically flicked in for the game’s opening goal. Bonner made it her first regular season goal with Racing and DeMelo her first assist.
Working on the ball later in the 62nd minute, DeMelo was taken down in the box by Angel City’s Megan Reid. Substitute forward Nadia Nadim knocked in the ensuing penalty kick to equalize after the visitors had rallied to lead.
“You could really see the energy was there today, and we created so many chances again, especially in the first half,” Bonner said. “…On the flip side, it’s those moments we have to defend. They didn’t really have many chances, but the ones they did, they scored. We’ve got to ultimately stop that and do the same to the opposition.”
Yes, Angel City managed to answer each Racing goal and then some.
First, Reid played a pretty ball over the top that Press smoothly finished to level the score in the 36th minute. Angel City took its first lead some 67 seconds into the second half when Press crossed to McCaskill, who the ball caromed off and into the back of the net.
McCaskill stepped up to hit the game winner three minutes into second half stoppage time, securing a win on a night Racing both out-shot and out-possessed Angel City.
“It’s definitely frustrating, because we know we’re playing really good soccer,” DeMelo said. “Now I think it’s just about being disciplined in the details and going with our game plan. We knew the game plan, but I think we slept on some details.”
This setback moved Racing to 2-4-2 just past the regular season’s one-third mark. The club will look to end its losing skid next Friday when traveling to play the reigning NWSL champion Washington Spirit.
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Angel City FC
Date: June 11, 2022
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Weather: 80 degrees, mostly cloudy
Player of the Match: Nadia Nadim
Attendance: 6,139
Scoring
Racing Louisville FC (1, 1, 2)
Angel City FC (1, 2, 3)
Goals
Racing Louisville:
29’ Gemma Bonner (Savannah DeMelo)
65’ Nadia Nadim
Angel City:
36’ Christen Press (Megan Reid)
47’ Savannah McCaskill (Christen Press)
90’+3’ Savannah McCaskill
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-2-3-1): 1 – Katie Lund, 27 – Alex Chidiac (51’ 13 – Emina Ekic) 15 – Julia Lester, 4 – Gemma Bonner, 11 – Emily Fox, 7 – Savannah DeMelo, 6 – Jaelin Howell, 17 – Nealy Martin, 8 – Freja Olofsson (61’ 10 – Nadia Nadim), 2 – Lauren Milliet, 14 – Jessica McDonald
Subs not used: 18 – Hillary Beall, 22 – Kirsten Davis, 21 – Parker Goins, 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 19 – Taylor Otto, 9 – Ebony Salmon
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
Angel City FC (4-2-3-1): 13 – DiDi Haračić, 5 – Ali Riley, 14 – Paige Nielsen (46’ 99 – Madison Hammond), 2 – Megan Reid, 20 – Tyler Lussi, 8 – Cari Roccaro, 17 – Danielle Weatherholt, 18 – Jun Endo (90’ 26 – Hope Breslin), 9 – Savannah McCaskill (90’+9’ 28 – Lily Nabet), 35 – Miri Taylor (46’ 7 – Simone Charley), 23 – Christen Press (66’ 29 – Clarisse Le Bihan)
Subs not used:19 – Katie Cousins, 21 – Stefany Ferrer Van Ginkel, 24 – Maia Pérez, 25 – Allyson Swaby
Head Coach: Freya Coombe
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville FC / Angel City FC
Shots: 18 / 10
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Possession: 53.9% / 46.1%
Fouls: 17 / 15
Offside: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville FC:
24’ Gemma Bonner (Yellow)
74’ Jalien Howell (Yellow)
85’ Nadia Nadim (Yellow)
90’+2 Katie Lund (Yellow)
Angel City FC:
19’ Paige Nielsen (Yellow)
49’ Savannah McCaskill (Yellow)
68’ Clarisse Le Bihan (Yellow)
Referee: Rebecca Luther