On Thursday morning, Racing Louisville defender Lauren Milliet previewed Saturday’s home contest against Liga MX Femenil side CF Monterrey and spoke on her excitement level heading into the first-ever NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.
“I’m pumped for this tournament,” said Milliet. “This is the first iteration of a tournament like this for the NWSL. I think that it’s a really good opportunity for us to see different styles of play and see what another league is about and where we lie. I think it’s gonna be really competitive, really fun.”
Racing’s first opponent in group stage play, Monterrey, also known as Las Rayadas, is a three-time Liga MX Femenil title winner, lifting the Clausura 2024 in late May. Only one other club in Mexico, Tigres UANL Femenil, has won more titles than Rayadas. It’ll be the first time Louisville has encountered a club from Mexico but the second time it has been in a tournament with one.
“I’m very excited to see them play and see their style,” said Milliet. “We’ve heard really good things about the Mexican League so I’m really excited to see how they play. It’s always so fun to see the different tactics involved in the different leagues. I feel like each league plays so differently, so I’m excited to see that.”
The Lousvillians, who were drawn in Group E, will face familiar foes in Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage in the other group stage matches. In order to qualify for the semifinal round, Racing must finish with one of the top-four point totals among a field of 20 clubs from two different leagues.
