Katie Lund made five saves and Racing Louisville’s defense shined in a 0-0 draw at NJ/NY Gotham on Sunday.
It was Lund and Louisville’s sixth shutout of the season as Racing extended its unbeaten stretch in the regular season to four games. The team did so without three standouts who missed the game through injuries – left back Carson Pickett, captain Jaelin Howell and forward Nadia Nadim.
“It was a tough week,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said, mentioning the injuries. “I’m proud of our team and how hard they worked. I’m happy with one point even if we need three points. For today, one point is OK in an away game at Gotham.”
Racing (4-4-9, 21 points) gained a point on OL Reign in the playoff chase, moving within three points of the sixth-place team, which lost at Angel City on Sunday evening. The Louisvillians take on first-place Portland on Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium.
On Sunday at Red Bull Arena, Racing withstood some early pressure from Gotham and grew into the game as the half progressed. Lund’s sprawling save on Gotham forward Katie Stengel’s shot in first-half stoppage time provided the highlight of the opening 45 minutes.
Racing twice threatened in the early stages of the second half, with Wang Shuang’s effort in the 47th minute saved by Gotham goalkeeper Mandy Haught and Savannah DeMelo’s two chances from eight yards out blocked away by Gotham defenders.
Lund again made two key saves between the 50th and 56th minutes, twice parrying Yazmeen Ryan shots.
Thembi Kgatlana had Racing’s clearest opportunity of the game in the 77th minute, racing down the left flank and cutting in to rifle a shot near post that required a save by Haught.
“The back four had a really, really good game – defensively we were a lot better,” said Racing center back Abby Erceg, who wore the captain’s arm band in Howell’s place. “I said to the girls before the game that we need a little more grit. … Before we talk about anything, we need to make sure the effort is there.”
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Date: August 27, 2023
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 80 degrees, clear skies
Player of the Match: Lauren Milliet
Scoring
Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)
NJ/NY Gotham (0, 0, 0)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 – Katie Lund; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 15 – Julia Lester, 20 – Abby Erceg (c), 25 – Rebecca Holloway; 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä (87’ 26 – Taylor Aylmer), 7 – Savannah DeMelo (87’ 9 – Kayla Fischer), 8 – Ary Borges; 77 – Wang Shuang (72’ 17 – Maddie Pokorny), 5 – Paige Monaghan (72’ 29 – Uchenna Kanu), 22 – Kirsten Davis (59’ 11 – Thembi Kgatlana)
Subs not used: 99 – Olivia Sekany; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 13 – Emina Ekic, 21 – Parker Goins
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
NJ/NY Gotham (4-3-3): 24 – Mandy Haught; 3 – Bruninha, 77 – Maitane Lopez, 11 – Ali Krieger (c) (57’ 21 – Ellie Jean), 32 – Jenna Nighswonger; 5 – Kelley O’Hara (57’ 33 – Sinead Farrelly), 14 – Nealy Martin (70’ 6 – Allie Long), 17 – Delanie Sheehan; 18 – Yazmeen Ryan (84’ 13 – Mana Shim), 25 – Ifeoma Onumonu (57’ 10 – Lynn Williams), 28 – Katie Stengel
Subs not used: 1 – Michelle Betos; 12 – Kristen Edmonds, 15 – Sabrina Flores, 22 – Mandy Freeman
Head Coach: Juan Carlos Amorós
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Gotham
Shots: 10 / 19
Shots on Goal: 1 / 5
Expected goals: 1.01 / 1.52
Possession: 40.1% / 59.9%
Fouls: 12 / 9
Offside: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 4 / 5
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville:
53’ Savannah DeMelo (yellow)
89′ Ary Borges (yellow)
Gotham:
21’ Ifeoma Onumonu (yellow)
41’ Yazmeen Ryan (yellow)
Referee: Anya Voigt
VAR: Sorin Stoica
