PORTLAND, Oregon – Racing Louisville started fast on Saturday against the Portland Thorns, with Uchenna Kanu registering the fastest two goals from an individual player in National Women’s Soccer League history.
But second-half goals from Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey goal salvaged a point for Portland, leaving the match a 2-2 draw after Racing led for 93 minutes.
Louisville nevertheless left Providence Park with its first two goals and first point there in club history, entering the first idle week of the season with three ties in three matches.
“Our first-ever point at Portland, our first-ever goals at Portland, and we now hold the record of the fastest NWSL brace in history,” said Racing coach Bev Yanez. “Obviously we wanted to close this match out. We will continue to find ways to make sure and ensure that we close games. We wanted to walk away with three points, 110%, and we will continue to work on that.”
Racing Louisville (0-0-3, 3 points) opened a season with three consecutive draws for the second straight year.
“Experience helps,” said defender Abby Erceg, the team’s vice-captain. “I think having some players come in this season has helped. They understand what it takes to win, and it takes a little bit of time to teach the newer players and the players that don’t have as much experience winning.”
The match started similarly to the 2-2 draw against Orlando in the season opener, with Racing getting rapid-fire goals.
Kanu first scored in the third minute, collecting a deflected clearance from Portland, turning and scoring with her left foot to the back post.
Three minutes later, Reilyn Turner drilled a cross from the corner flag into the penalty area, and Kanu outjumped two Portland defenders to head in her second.
They were the second and third NWSL regular-season goals of Kanu’s career – and her third this season. She now has four goals across all competitions for Racing dating back to last year’s NWSL Challenge Cup.
“First of all, I’m excited that I got two goals and I didn’t even know I made history today, and I’m super, super thankful for that,” Kanu said. “And of course, I’m proud of my girls. I think we played really well. That last minute was really, really intense for us, and we just need to find a way to grind through the whole game, through the last minute – but overall the girls put in everything today.”
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC at Portland Thorns
Date: March 30, 2024
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 64 degress, sunny
Player of the Match: Uchenna Kanu
Scoring
Racing Louisville (2, 0, 2)
Portland Thorns (0, 2, 2)
Goals
3’ Uchenna Kanu
6’ Uchenna Kanu (Reilyn Turner)
52’ Morgan Weaver (Sophia Smith)
90’+9 Sam Coffey (Kelli Hubly)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-2-3-1): 1 – Katie Lund; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä (71’ 5 – Ellie Jean), 20 – Abby Erceg, 16 – Carson Pickett; 6 – Jaelin Howell (c), 26 – Taylor Flint; 29 – Uchenna Kanu (90’+5 17 – Maddie Pokorny), 9 – Kayla Fischer (71’ 14 – Marisa DiGrande), 23 – Elexa Bahr (52’ 13 – Emma Sears); 66 – Reilyn Turner (71’ 21 – Parker Goins)
Subs not used: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 19 – Jordan Baggett
Head Coach: Bev Yanez
Portland (4-3-3): 18 – Shelby Hogan; 2 – Reyna Reyes (46’ 25 – Meghan Klingenberg), 20 – Kelli Hubly, 4 – Becky Sauerbrunn (c), 23 – Marie Müller (79’ 11 – Nicole Payne); 17 – Sam Coffey, 21 – Jessie Fleming (78’ 12 – Christine Sinclair), 13 – Olivia Moultrie (46’ 8 – Hina Sugita); 16 – Janine Beckie (64’ 24 – Izzy D’Aquila), 9 – Sophia Smith, 22 – Morgan Weaver
Subs not used: 28 – Lauren Kozal; 5 – Isabella Obaze, 27 – Marissa Sheva, 54 – Olivia Wade-Katoa
Head Coach: Michael Norris
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Portland Thorns
Shots: 9 / 27
Shots on Goal: 4 / 7
Expected goals: 1.35 / 1.55
Possession: 39.2% / 60.8%
Fouls: 9 / 13
Offside: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 0 / 5
Discipline Summary
Portland Thorns
24’ Jessie Fleming (yellow)
Match referee: Gerald Flores
Assistant referees: Stephen McGonagle, Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth official: Corbyn May
Video Assistant Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant VAR: Maggie Short
