Racing Louisville FC travels this weekend to Daytona International Speedway for a unique experience – an 8 p.m. Sunday match against the Orlando Pride on the infield at the race track.
The game is part of the first-ever Daytona Soccer Fest this Fourth of July weekend. The world famous NASCAR track, which is home to the Daytona 500, can seat more than 100,000 fans. In addition to the NWSL contest, the venue will host a concert, a friendly between two men’s Colombian clubs and a legends game featuring former international stars.
Prior to the international break, Racing rallied to draw the reigning NWSL champion Washington Spirit in dramatic fashion, snapping a three-game losing streak. With that result, Racing stands in ninth in the standings (2-4-3, nine points) ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
Racing will be without a few players who are on international duty for various competitions in July. Nadia Nadim (Denmark), who scored twice in Louisville’s last match to secure the draw, along with defenders Emily Fox (United States), Rebecca Holloway (Northern Ireland) and Satara Murray (Jamaica) will miss at least three matches this month.
Orlando returns home in need of a win, coming off three straight losses by a combined 12-0 margin. The roster for the Pride is much different than last year, with Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Taylor Kornieck, Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan all no longer with the team.
On top of its departures, the Pride also has multiple well-known players who will be unavailable for selection on Sunday. Brazilian midfielder Marta, Orlando’s creative engine for multiple seasons, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the NWSL Challenge Cup. Erin McCleod (Canada) and Gunny Jónsdottir (Iceland) are on international duty for the Concacaf W Championship and European Championship, respectively.
Last year, Racing and the Pride faced off four times, including the NWSL Challenge Cup opener, Racing’s first match as a club. The previous results have been split, with two draws and a 3-1 win for each team. Racing won the most recent meeting on October 16 at Lynn Family Stadium.
A win this weekend could push Racing as high as seventh in the NWSL standings, one spot out of the playoffs, which begin in October.
Sunday’s match against the Pride will be on CBS Sports Network.
Follow along…
• For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @RacingLouFC on Twitter and Racing Louisville FC on Facebook. Also find us at @racinglouisvillefc on Instagram.
• The game will broadcast live on CBS Sports Network in the United States and on Twitch internationally.
Player availability report
- Emily Fox (out, international duty)
- Rebecca Holloway (out, international duty)
- Satara Murray (out, international duty)
- Nadia Nadim (out, international duty)
Story lines...
Nadim registers Racing’s first brace: Louisville forward Nadia Nadim accounted for both of Racing’s goals in the 2-2 draw against Washington on June 17. Racing trailed 2-0 when Nadim entered the game in the 56th minute. She scored her first 10 minutes later and equalized in the 88th minute. Nadim currently leading the team with three goals. She returned in May from a severe knee injury that kept her out for nine months.
McDonald tallies two assists: Forward Jess McDonald extended her all-time NWSL assists record to 30 when she delivered two clinical assists to Nadim in the draw against the Spirit. The 2019 World Cup winner is tied for the league lead with three assists this season.
On International Duty: Racing will be without several key players for much of July. Forward Nadia Nadim (Denmark) and defender Rebecca Holloway (Northern Ireland) will represent their countries in the European Championship, and defenders Emily Fox (USA) and Satara Murray (Jamaica will play in the Concacaf W Championship.
Milestone cap for Nadim: Nadim made her 100th international appearance for Denmark last week, coming on as a second-half sub in a friendly against Brazil. Her late assist helped the Danes claim a late game-winner.
Salmon to Houston: Racing traded Ebony Salmon this week to the Houston Dash in exchange for $175,000 of allocation money. Salmon appeared in nine matches across all competitions this season, starting two.
Racing Reinforcements: Racing signed a pair of defenders — Louisville native Allison Whitfield and veteran Zaneta Wyne — to national team replacement contracts. Whitfield played with Emina Ekic in high school and college and has played with Racing’s USL W League squad through the summer. Wyne was a free agent after spending last season with London-based West Ham United, which finished sixth in England’s top-flight league.
