In previewing Friday’s game against Bay FC at Lynn Family Stadium, Racing Louisville FC head coach Bev Yanez acknowledged her understanding of where her team stands as the NWSL enters the second half of the season.
Louisville, back at home for the first time since May 29, is in the midst of a four-game losing run following its defeat at Portland Thorns FC last weekend. That’s tied for the longest skid in club history.
“We just can’t stop fighting,” Yanez said. “That’s the most important thing at this point. I feel really good about the two training days (ahead of Bay) in that mentality perspective, in that attitude perspective.”
Yanez and Racing have proven their ability to overcome some adversity before. After three straight losses threatened to derail Louisville’s postseason hopes last season, the team, propelled by that relentless pressing style, rattled off five matches unbeaten to clinch the club’s first playoff spot. A 1-0 win over Friday’s opponent, Bay, coincidentally capped off Racing’s impressive run to the postseason.
Eyeing a return to that sort of form, Racing must move past its first game back after the summer break, a 4-0 decision in Portland. For Yanez, the score line itself didn’t tell the complete story of her team’s performance.
“I still think that 4-0 was not a true reflection, but again you put your chances away, and 4-0 is the score,” Yanez said. “We’re not pleased with it, of course. We take full accountability as a staff. But I think the attitudes have been very, very good coming into this week.”
Both of Louisville’s wins in 2026 have come at Lynn Family Stadium: 3-1 over the Thorns and 3-2 against the Orlando Pride. Importantly, for Yanez, turning the corner starts with the group taking stock of itself.
“We look to find, through this adversity, the commonality, the identity, how we can continue to be who we are in all of it,” she said.
Part of that, Yanez added, is guarding against the mental spiral that can come with a dip in form.
“When you’re not getting results, you start overthinking everything,” she said. “As a tech staff, as players, you’re trying to find an answer as to why, when sometimes there’s a little bit of not luck on your side. … I think just taking accountability on both ends.
“… Nothing will get us out of this unless we come together. I think that’s the most important piece right now.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday. Racing vs. Bay coincides with Ali Night, saluting Louisville legend Muhammad Ali. Tickets and more information can be found at RacingLouFC.com/ali/.
