Racing Louisville will play an opponent from Mexico for the first time in club history this summer with the introduction of the inaugural NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup, the two leagues announced Wednesday.
Mexican power Rayadas, a two-time Liga MX Femenil Apertura champion, is set to take on Racing at Lynn Family Stadium at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, in the opener of Louisville’s three group stage games in the new tournament. Two of Racing’s NWSL counterparts, the North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride, round out the group, with Louisville hosting North Carolina at 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, before traveling to Orlando for a 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, match at INTER&CO Stadium.
Rayadas, officially known as Club de Fútbol Monterrey Femenil, is one of six LIGA MXF teams in the 20-team event that pits some of Mexico’s top squads against the 14 NWSL clubs. The 33-match tournament will consist of 30 group stage contests, followed by a four-team semifinal round slated for the week of Aug. 4. The championship match will take place the weekend of Oct. 25-27.
The NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup will feature five groups, including four groups of three NWSL clubs and one LIGA MXF club and one group with two clubs from each league. Each participating club will compete in a minimum of three matches.
“As women’s soccer continues to grow at a rapid pace, these are the types of occasions that bring our global soccer community together,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “This is the world’s sport, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Rayadas and their fans to Lynn Family Stadium as part of this exciting new event.”
The North Carolina Courage home match will be included in the Racing Louisville season-ticket member package, with single-game tickets on sale now. Single-game tickets for the Rayadas match are now on sale; season-ticket members will have their seats on reserve with the option to purchase their tickets. Fans can visit RacingLouFC.com/tickets, call (502) 568-2489 during regular business hours or email tickets@racingloufc.com for tickets or more information.
Broadcast and playoff schedule details and competition rules will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Today’s announcement marks a historic milestone for women’s soccer in North America and another significant step in the continued elevation of our global game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to partner with LIGA MX Femenil to create additional competitive opportunities for our athletes, unlock new rivalries, tap into our collective fanbases and continue our shared mission of raising the value, visibility and global standard of our sport.”
“The alliance we are announcing today is a great achievement for women’s football in our region and around the world – two great women’s professional football leagues coming together to advance the sport in our area, expand and grow the industry, build a new sporting identity and rivalry, strengthen partnerships beyond the pitch, inspire more people to join the movement, build community and open up new opportunities for players to have new windows of internationalization,” said LIGA MX Femenil Director Mariana Gutierrez. “LIGA MX Femenil is proud and privileged to work together with the NWSL. Let us celebrate that this is a historic moment for women and sport.”
Tournament groups for NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup can be seen below. Broadcast details, as well as competition rules and regulations, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Racing Louisville in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup
Home games in bold
July 20: Rayadas, 8 p.m.
July 26: North Carolina Courage, 8 p.m.
Aug. 1: at Orlando Pride, 7 p.m.
