Racing Louisville FC on Saturday completed its preseason, finishing the nine-week run-up to games with a comfortable win over the U.S. Women’s National Team U-23 squad.
In all, the Louisvillians played six exhibitions against outside competition, winning three and drawing two, including a 2-1-1 record against NWSL opponents.
With Racing’s season set to kick off next Sunday in Houston, here are four big takeaways from preseason training camp:
1. Plenty of reasons for optimism.
Racing finished preseason on a high, beating OL Reign and the USWNT U-23s in the Portland Thorns preseason tournament after a strong performance in a 1-0 loss to the Thorns, the reigning NWSL champs, in the tournament opener. The quality week in Oregon followed several other promising results in preseason, including a 3-2 win over Chicago in Indianapolis in mid-February.
Louisville scored goals in a variety of ways — off set pieces, in transition, on the ground and in the air. What’s more, a number of different players scored for Racing. In Portland alone, four newcomers netted goals, from newly-signed NWSL Draft pick Kayla Fischer to international signings Ary Borges, Uchenna Kanu and Elli Pikkujämsä. Another addition, Paige Monaghan, scored vs. Chicago in February. Beyond goal scoring, Racing also showed its ability to possess with confidence, defend with communication and organization and control midfield.
The preseason was by no means perfect. But the talent, depth and cohesion on display in the first nine weeks since players started reporting to market have been encouraging, especially with the nice mix of veteran and young players with domestic and international experience.
2. Dangerous in transition
A weak point for Racing in previous seasons, Louisville’s attacking transition game looked dangerous in Portland. The combination of added pace and creativity with the passing ability of Ary Borges, Kayla Fischer, Jess McDonald, Carson Pickett and Wang Shuang makes for exciting potential in a transitional league like the NWSL.
Borges, Fischer, McDonald, Wang Shuang and Savannah DeMelo each had moments in Portland when they served as the point person on counters or quick breaks, while Pickett, Pikkujämsa and Jaelin Howell each unlocked transition moments with their long-range passing.
3. Pairings start to form
Racing needed to retool its defensive group after a frustrating 2022 season that saw the lavender and mint concede 35 goals, a number that could’ve been much higher were it not for Katie Lund’s breakout campaign as Louisville’s No. 1 goalkeeper. The trade to acquire former NWSL Defender of the Year Abby Erceg and back-to-back all-league left back Carson Pickett immediately gave Racing a big boost in both experience and talent. That duo paired well with Pikkujämsä (center back) and Lauren Milliet (right back) in Portland, keeping the Thorns’ starting group at bay while they were on the field and posting a clean sheet against OL Reign. Lund picked up where she left off, again showing off her exceptional shot-stopping talent and ability with the ball at her feet.
In midfield, Racing primarily used the trio of Howell, DeMelo and Borges, though Pikkujämsä played well in her minutes at defensive midfield and Fischer stepped in at center attacking midfielder comfortably. Milliet also showed her trademark versatility by moving into central midfield in multiple games after starting at right back. The group showed a flexibility in its reading of play, tracking back or surging forward while reading each other for positioning guidance. The Portland trip was particularly important because it gave Borges a chance to play high-level competition alongside her midfield partners.
The combinations up front are a work in progress, but the work rate of new addition Paige Monaghan paired well with Wang Shuang’s technical ability on the opposite flank. Kanu’s arrival halfway through the Portland tournament introduced a verticality and air presence Racing hasn’t really had leading the line. That trio worked with Jess McDonald, Alex Chidiac, Kirsten Davis and Parker Goins across multiple substitution patterns. Racing’s attacking chops should only improve when Emina Ekic and Thembi Kgatlana return to health early this season and Nadia Nadim later this year.
4. Preseason proving ground
Preseason turned out to be a solid proving ground for several players. Pikkujämsä and Fischer showed they can immediately help the team. Rebecca Holloway played solid minutes at center back and outside back. Borges and Kanu looked comfortable quickly, and Jordyn Bloomer returned from a loan spell in Australia and eased right back into the team, capping off preseason with an excellent second-half performance against the U.S. 23s.
Pikkujämsä can play a number of roles, pairing nicely with Erceg at center back but also handling her duties as an anchor midfielder well. Fischer may just be Racing’s wild card. The Ohio State grad just moves differently — “almost like a snake,” according to coach Kim Björkegren — and her ability to keep defenders on her hip while either dribbling into dangerous spaces or passing into them is a unique quality for a rookie. Her two preseason goals will be huge for her confidence entering the season.