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The sample size remains limited, but the formula to Racing Louisville FC’s success in its inaugural NWSL season remains simple.

Find a way to score, and the expansion franchise has walked away with at least a point, going 3-0-1. Don’t score at all, and Racing’s almost bound not to get a result with an 0-6-1 record.

The latter scenario played out late Saturday at OL Reign when French star Eugénie Le Sommer scored a pair of flashy first half goals in a 2-0 victory over Racing at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash.

This marked the first meeting between Racing and Reign — the final new opponent for Louisville this year — and kicked off just past 10 p.m. ET, the club’s second-latest start time on the schedule.

Racing moved to 3-2-6 overall and remained ninth on the NWSL table, a spot ahead of fellow expansion side Kansas City.

“Tough game and a tough loss,” said head coach Christy Holly. “I think the second half — and large parts of the first half — were a reflection of the team we want to be on a consistent basis.”

The visitors did appear to have the better of the game early before Le Sommer — a highly decorated member of the French national team — made the difference with some individual brilliance.

In the 28th minute, she cut out, then in, bringing a Racing defender to her knees before a smooth finish. Le Sommer registered her brace in transition, getting behind the Louisville defense in the 43rd minute and drilling a one-on-one shot on the goalkeeper.

From then on, Racing regained control but couldn’t finish a chance for the second straight game dating back to Sunday’s home defeat to the Washington Spirit, also a 2-0 score line.

“Obviously we had our moments during that game when we felt like we put them on the back foot,” midfielder Savannah McCaskill said of Saturday’s game. “It’s the same story. We have to learn from it eventually. We have to stop them from scoring in those moments, and we have to put away our chances.”

A cross from Emily Fox to Nadia Nadim ended with a header inches wide of the bar in the 51st minute. Five minutes later, Ebony Salmon faced the OL Reign keeper and forced a save.

Louisville kept on firing, out-shooting Reign 10-2 over the final 45 minutes and controlling 50.6% of possession for the game. Standouts included Salmon, who tried a team-high six shots, while Nadim accounted for four key passes.

But Racing didn’t hit the back of the net, getting shut out for the seventh time in 11 games as the new club finds its footing. The next opportunity for the ladies in lavender comes Sunday, Aug. 8, hosting Kansas City.

“What I hope we take away as a group is we can play with anyone in this league,” said goalkeeper Michelle Betos. “You look at Reign and where they are in the standings right now — I don’t think that’s reflective of the kind of team they are. From one to 10 in this league, every team is good, and every game is going to be a hard game.

“What we should take away from this game is from the vast majority of it, we put them under pressure. We made things difficult for them. Obviously Le Sommer’s a class player. They’re a team full of a ton of talent. When you let talent get in like that, it’s going to be tough to stop.”

Game Summary: OL Reign vs. Racing Louisville FC

Venue: Cheney Stadium

Kickoff: 10 p.m.

Player of the Match: Nadia Nadim

Scoring

OL Reign (2, 0, 2)

Racing (0, 0, 0)

Goals

OL Reign:

27’ Le Sommer (Marozsán assist)

43’ Le Sommer (Fishlock assist)

Racing:

Stats Summary: OL Reign / Racing

Shots: 10 / 17

Shots on Goal: 6 / 2

Fouls: 10 / 6

Offside: 0 / 0

Corner Kicks: 6 / 5

Saves: 2 / 4

Lineups

OL Reign: 99 — Sarah Bouhaddi, 99 — Madison Hammond (14’ 13 — Celia Jiménez), 27 — Sam Hiatt, 3 — Lauren Barnes, 4 — Alana Cook, 17 — Dani Weatherholt, 10 — Jess Fishlock (84’ 19 — Kristen McNabb), 8 — Dzsenifer Marozsán (84’ 35 — Leah Pruitt), 9 — Eugénie Le Sommer, 11 — Sofia Huerta,  23 — Tziarra King (68’ 24 — Bethany Balcer)

Subs not used: 30 — Jimena López, 2— Amber Brooks, 91 — Phallon Tullis-Joyce, 28 — Shirley Cruz, 25 — Kelcie Hedge

Racing: 1 — Michelle Betos, 3 — Erin Simon (55’ 16 Julia Ashley), 4 — Gemma Bonner, 18 — Kaleigh Riehl, 11 — Emily Fox, 5 — Cece Kizer, 7 — Savannah McCaskill, 10 — Nadia Nadim, 8 — Freja Olofsson (70’ 2 — Lauren MIlliet), 17 — Yuki Nagasato, 9 — Ebony Salmon (84’ 20 — Cheyna Matthews)

Subs not used: 22 — Katie McClure, 23 — Katie Lund, 12 — Sinclaire Miramontez, 19 — Taylor Otto, 14 — Nealy Martin, 13 — Emina Ekic

Discipline Summary

86’ OL Reign: Sofia Huerta (yellow)

Referee: Laura Rodriguez

Racing Louisville FC has matched up with all but one club thus far in its inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season. That will change Saturday with a late-night kickoff against OL Reign in Tacoma, Wash.

Start time is 10 p.m. ET as Racing seeks to bounce back from a defeat last weekend against the Washington Spirit. In the loss, however, star forward Nadia Nadim subbed on to make her first appearance and figures to push for more minutes moving forward.

OL Reign, which plays at Cheney Stadium, is adjusting after the resignation of head coach Farid Bensitti earlier this month. Caretaker manager Sam Laity — also Reign’s former assistant — has earned a 2-2 record including a 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pride last week.

OL Reign will be without up to five players Saturday who continue international duty at the Tokyo Olympics, including U.S. Women’s National Team standouts Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.

With the Reign two points ahead of Louisville on the NWSL table, a win would push Louisville as high as eighth as it pursues a top-six finish in hopes of becoming the first NWSL expansion side to make the playoffs.

OL Reign-Racing will stream exclusively on the NWSL’s Twitch channel.

Here’s what to watch for on Saturday night …

Coach Christy Holly says…

“They are a dangerous team. If we let them dictate the terms of the games to us then we will find ourselves in a very difficult position. We will go there as we have with other teams and we will try to dictate to them how this game needs to be played. We have to be on our game. We know it will be a difficult trip but it is something we are excited about.”

“We know where we are at. We know what we are trying to do. We have some fantastic athletes. Now, we are trying to blend these athletes together. We are trying to impose our identity on them and the NWSL. The players have bought into that. From my perspective, I couldn’t be in a much more privileged position. I couldn’t be luckier having the personalities we have matching the abilities. I feel like we are in a good place and we are going to keep chipping away at what we are doing. We know that in the long term that will be something sustainable for the future.”

Follow along

For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @RacingLouFC on Twitter and Racing Louisville FC on Facebook. Also find us at @racinglouisvillefc on Instagram.

Watch the match exclusively on the NWSL Twitch channel with play by play from Matt Pedersen and color commentary by Marion Cole.  

Notes to know

NWSL after dark:  Barring schedule changes, Saturday’s kickoff time will be the second-latest of the season following a 10:30 p.m. ET start when Racing traveled to play Portland Thorns FC on June 3. This marks the final trip for Louisville to the Pacific Time Zone in 2021.

By the numbers: Through Racing’s first 10 regular season matches, the club is 3-0-1 in games when it scores and 0-5-1 in those it doesn’t. Additionally, the club’s three victories this year have all come in shutout performances.

Nadim’s debut: The Danish international made her presence felt in Sunday’s Washington game, coming on in the 55th minute to log four shots, matching the most by a Racing player over the full 90 minutes. Announced in June, Nadim most recently helped Paris Saint-Germain to a league title. 

Bet on Betos: Racing goalkeeper Michelle Betos, who leads the NWSL with 54 saves, is on record pace. The league’s regular season record is held by two players, Aubrey Bledsoe and Kaelin Sheridan, at 108 saves apiece back in 2018.

Kizer’s calling: Forward Cece Kizer’s Player of the Match performance Sunday resulted in a season-high four shots, three on frame. She also took part in 15 duels, twice as many as any teammate on the field. The former expansion draft selection has totaled a trio of goals and assists across all NWSL competitions this year.  

OL Reign connections: Two players on Racing’s roster previously represented the Seattle-area side. Betos played there from 2018-2020 before going to Racing in the expansion draft. Defender Julia was traded to Reign in early 2020 but never appeared for the club due to injury; she also came to Louisville via the expansion draft.

City of Lights: Nadim will likely run into a former teammate on the pitch Saturday as OL Reign recently added U.S. international defender Alana Cook. The two appeared together 16 times for PSG during the 2020/2021 Division 1 Feminine season.

Milestone watch

Michelle Betos is one shutout away from her 15th NWSL regular season shutout and would be one of seven players to earn that stat. 

Savannah McCaskill is one start away from her 40th NWSL regular season start. 

Nadia Nadim is two goals from her 30th NWSL regular season goal.

It took only 12 minutes of game action for Cece Kizer, selected by Racing Louisville FC as part of the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft, to prove herself as a steal for the new club.

Kizer netted Racing’s first-ever goal during the preseason Challenge Cup and has gone on to tally three goals and just as many assists across all competitions in 2021.

That’s despite one of Ole Miss’ most decorated players often finding herself as Racing’s center forward — a bit out of Kizer’s comfort zone.

“Cece has done a fantastic job playing through the middle for us,” said head coach Christy Holly. “We’re very proud of her for doing that. Now we’re going to have her in a position where she can influence the game from a different standpoint.”

With the arrival of international forwards Ebony Salmon and more recently Nadia Nadim, Kizer has shifted to the right wing and continued to produce.

Two games back, she had an assist in a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride. In Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Washington Spirit, Kizer created four scoring opportunities for Racing, including three shots on target during a Player of the Match performance.

“Cece is at her best working between the lines, connecting with people and running on the attack from deep,” Holly said. “When she gets those opportunities, it’s fun to watch for sure.”

Kizer, who was on loan to Norwegian side Kolbotn IL when selected by Racing, was acquired from the Houston Dash, which saw her appear in 16 games from 2019-2020. Her role has greatly expanded in Louisville to consistent starter and key piece of the offense, ranking among team leaders in minutes played.

“I definitely feel more comfortable out wide, and Christy keeps emphasizing that to me with me and (Emily) Fox being out there and Yuki (Nagasto) coming inside,” Kizer said. “We kind of just interchange.”

Kizer had perhaps Racing’s best look against Washington early in the going at Lynn Family Stadium. Louisville turned the Spirit over in their own half, and goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe had to make a diving save on a curler from Kizer inside the box.

“I just need to be more clinical and finish my opportunities when they come,” Kizer said.

As Nadim works into game shape, she only adds to the depth in Holly’s attack, a situation the coach recently called “a good problem to have.”

“I think it’ll just get more competitive for us and make Christy’s decisions harder,” Kizer said. “For us, it’s just getting that chemistry and figuring out what works best for the team.”

Kizer admitted she was star struck upon meeting Nadim. Before long, perhaps the feeling could be mutual.

“Cece is a huge talent. I love the way she plays,” Nadim said. “You can tell right away that she’s a baller, and I’m excited to build up with her. I think she has the pace, and I can see her playing on the right wing, left wing and hopefully providing a lot of assists.”

Lynn Family Stadium’s crowd of 6,422 reached a crescendo in the 55th minute Sunday night as highly touted international forward Nadia Nadim took the field for her first Racing Louisville FC appearance.

While the result didn’t go Racing’s way in a 2-0 defeat to the Washington Spirit, Nadim’s entrance marked a watershed moment for the NWSL expansion franchise: Coach Christy Holly’s full roster is now available as the season nears its midway point.

Washington dampened the mood in the fifth minute as the league’s leading scorer, Ashley Hatch, scored her sixth goal of the season. Sam Staab doubled the lead in the 58th minute when heading home an extended play off a corner kick.

“I’ll tell you exactly what I said to the team after the game,” Holly said. “When you’re trying to make a masterpiece, you definitely spill some paint on the floor. We just have to be in love with the fact that we’re working toward a masterpiece.

“We know there’s going to be spilled paint. There’s going to be mistakes. There’s going to be lessons. There’s going to be growing pains, and we have to embrace that.

“We can’t just embrace the end product, the outcome. We have to be totally in love with the idea of everyday grinding through a process of embracing the good and bad and the ugly.”

Moving forward, however, Holly has more options in an attack lacking finishing touch Sunday. Racing could consider itself the better team much of the way outside of a few key moments, particularly in the first half as Louisville out-shot Washington 8-5 and held 58% of possession.

Highlights Sunday for Racing included a one-on-one boot from forward Cece Kizer in the 13th minute saved by a diving goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe. Following her own shot again in the 63rd minute, Kizer saw another chance fly over the bar in a Player of the Match performance.

“We controlled the first half really well and controlled the game but couldn’t put that ball in the back of the net,” Kizer said, “and gave them one opportunity. They finished and scored again in the second half. it’s on us. We’re just not getting it done on the field, and we need to look inside ourselves and figure out what’s going on and work on finishing and keeping control of the game like we did today.”

Nadim also influenced the game upon checking in. Over the course of 14 touches, she matched Kizer for a team-high four shots, two of which forced Spirit blocks.

Nadim touted an “amazing atmosphere” for her club debut.

“I think the fans are awesome — super happy the way they received me,” she said. “Obviously, after the game there’s so many fans and young girls standing. Good reception — just disappointed we didn’t deliver the three points — but there’s a lot of place for improvement.”

A loss dropped Racing to 3-5-2, with 11 points good for ninth on the table ahead of fellow expansion franchise Kansas City. Washington meanwhile moved to 5-3-3, third on the table at 18 points.

This marked Racing’s first game since July 9, a rare midseason break for the ladies in lavender. They travel next week to play OL Reign at 10 p.m. ET Saturday in Tacoma, Wash.

Game Summary: Racing Louisville vs. Washington Spirit

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Weather: 91 degrees, mostly cloudy

Player of the Match: Cece Kizer

Attendance: 6,422

Scoring

Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)

Washington Spirit (1, 1, 2)

Goals

Washington Spirit:

5’, Hatch (assisted by McKeown)

58’, Staab (assisted by Aylmer)

Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Washington Spirit

Shots: 17 / 18

Shots on Goal: 5 / 7

Fouls: 5 / 3

Offside: 4 / 2

Corner Kicks: 11 / 4

Saves: 5 / 5

Lineups

Racing Louisville: 1 – Michelle Betos, 14 – Nealy Martin, 4 – Gemma Bonner, 8 – Freja Olofsson (69’ 20 – Cheyna Matthews), 11 – Emily Fox, 9 – Ebony Salmon (69’ 22 – Katie McClure), 3 – Erin Simon (86’ 16 – Julia Ashley), 2 – Lauren Milliet (55’ 10 – Nadia Nadim), 5 – Cece Kizer, 17 – Yuki Nagasato, 7 – Savanah McCaskill

Subs not used: 23 – Katie Lund, 18 – Kaleigh Riehl, 19 – Taylor Otto, 12 – Sinclaire Miramontez, 13 – Emina Ekic

Washington Spirit: 1 – Aubrey Bledsoe, 3 – Sam Staab, 9 – Tegan McGrady, 21 – Anna Heilferty, 14 – Paige Nielsen, 19 – Dorian Bailey (45’ 26 – Taylor Aylmer), 12 – Andi Sullivan, 10 – Ashley Sanchez, 33 – Ashley Hatch, 2 – Trinity Rodman, 27 – Tara McKeown (88’ 25 – Karina Rodriguez)

Subs not used: 24 – Chinyelu Asher, 17 – Kumi Yokoyama, 23 – Tori Huster, 18 – Devon Kerr, 31 – Sydney Schneider, 20 – Mariana Speckmaier

Discipline Summary

Washington Spirit: Bledsoe (yellow) 90+1’

Referee: Samantha Martinez

Assistant Referees: Tiffini Turpin & Mike Nickerson

Fourth Official: Jarin Harrell

Racing Louisville FC will finally get a look at its complete team on Sunday when hosting the Washington Spirit.

In a game pushed to 7:30 p.m. due to a forecast for extreme heat, the ladies in lavender could feature newly arrived forward Nadia Nadim. Signed last month, the former Portland Thorns, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain standout joined training since Racing last played on July 9.

A two-week break followed a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Orlando Pride. After Ebony Salmon moved the visitors ahead with her team-leading third goal, Sydney Leroux equalized at the game’s last gasp.

The result moved Racing to 3-2-4 through nine games of its inaugural NWSL season, good for eighth on the table as clubs chase a sixth-place finish or better to make the playoffs.

Sunday’s game marks the second between Racing and the Washington Spirit, who first visited on May 21. Emina Ekic and Cece Kizer scored second half goals to give Louisville its first-ever victory.

The Spirt have been an up-and-down side since then, sitting seventh in the NWSL standings. They’ll also be without the services of defenders Kelly O’Hara and Emily Sonnett, who are both with the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Olympic squad. In their place, young stars such as forward Ashley Hatch — tied for the league lead with five goals — have propelled Washington.

Here’s what to watch for on Sunday…

Coach Christy Holly says…

“I think [Nadim] gives us a different look. It allows us to come at things with a few different dimensions. We’ve wanted to get Cece [Kizer] in a more natural position for her. We’ve asked a lot of her in preseason, and my goodness, she was absolutely fantastic. If we drop Cece deeper, it allows us to drop Savannah McCaskill deeper where she’s seeing a lot more of the ball. It allows us to get Yuki [Nagasato] inside the field a lot more, where she can orchestrate our attacks. Then it allows us to go with a front three, front two or with a front one. Nadia is very comfortable across those lanes. So is Ebony [Salmon], so is Cece, so is Emina Ekic — whoever it may be. There’s a lot of flexibility in how we can attack, and that’s on us in how to maximize in the coming weeks, months and years.”

Follow along

For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @RacingLouFC on Twitter and Racing Louisville FC on Facebook. Also find us at @racinglouisvillefc on Instagram.

Watch the match on Paramount+ with play by play from Josh Tolle and color commentary by Kacey White. Internationally, fans can also stream the match on Twitch.

Notes to know

Home sweet home: In its first season, Racing has performed its best at Lynn Family Stadium, where crowds continue to grow. Last out, the ladies in lavender had a club-record 6,822 fans in attendance July 3 against Portland. Racing is 2-2-1 overall at home and 1-2-1 away.

New in town:  Racing’s latest high-profile international signing, Nadia Nadim joined the squad upon receiving her work visa. Should the Danish international make an appearance Sunday, it would mark her first in the NWSL since 2017. Nadim signed with Louisville after helping PSG to its first top-level league title in June.

Smoked Salmon: Striker Ebony Salmon made the goal in Orlando her third in five appearances for her new club. Salmon is hitting the back of the net now every 97 minutes on the pitch and, despite playing four fewer games than the league’s leading scorer, is only two goals off that mark.

Kizer connects: Building on solid form from the preseason Challenge Cup tournament, forward Cece Kizer continues to impact Racing’s results, registering two of Salmon’s three goals to date, including the strike at Orlando. A solid pickup out of the 2020 expansion draft, Kizer also has a goal to her name in the regular season.

Bet on Betos: Michelle Betos had less work to last game, tallying just one save. But much of Racing’s success can be attributed to a goalkeeper who continues to lead the NWSL with 49 saves. With her next shutout, Betos will hit 15 for her career and make her just the seventh player in league history to reach the mark.

Another addition: The former Manchester City defender Gemma Bonner played 255 minutes before her new club, Racing, conceded a goal with her on the pitch. Bonner has also boosted the play of those around her. For instance, when playing beside Bonner, Nealy Martin completes passes at an 84% rate, eight points higher than without Bonner in the lineup.

Conceding late: Racing let in a stoppage time goal at Orlando to drop points, reminding of an earlier season trend. Three of Racing’s four Challenge Cup matches were decided with goals in the final five minutes of play, including a 1-0 loss at Washington. But the July 9 result marked the first time it happened in the waning moments of a regular season game.

Spirited connections: Four of Racing’s 22 rostered players previously represented Washington. Playing rights to goalkeeper Katie Lund and forward Katie McClure were both selected by Racing during the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft. Additionally, Racing acquired defender Brooke Hendrix and forward Cheyna Matthews on waivers.

Injury report

• Noelle Higginson (out)
• Cece Kizer (questionable)
• Addisyn Merrick (out)
• Freja Olofsson (questionable)
• Kaleigh Riehl (questionable)

Milestone watch

Michelle Betos is one shutout away from her 15th NWSL regular season clean sheet and would be one of seven players to earn that stat. 

Cece Kizer is one appearance from her 25th in NWSL regular season play.

Erin Simon in one start from her 35th in NWSL regular season play.

Yuki Nagasato is one appearance from her 60th in NWSL regular season play.

Out of an abundance of caution given a hot and humid forecast, the National Women’s Soccer League has pushed back kickoff for Sunday’s Racing Louisville FC game against the Washington Spirit to 7:30 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium.

Weather isn’t expected to surpass thresholds in the NWSL’s extreme heat policy. But parties involved approved moving the start from its originally scheduled 3 p.m. slot in order for a more comfortable environment for both teams and fans.

Those with tickets who can’t make the new time can fill out this form before kickoff to exchange tickets for another game.

Sunday marks Racing’s second meeting with the Spirit this season. Last time, Louisville native Emina Ekic and Cece Kizer scored second half goals of a 2-0 victory May 21 over Washington, marking the club’s historic first victory.

Racing enters the weekend having not played since July 9. The ladies in lavender are unbeaten in three of their last five games, sporting a 3-4-2 record, and have added to their ranks in recent days with the arrival of international star forward Nadia Nadim, who will be available for selection against Washington.

Racing versus Washington will stream live on Paramount+ and internationally on the NWSL’s Twitch channel.

International soccer powers FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will leave an impact on Louisville beyond a pair of inaugural The Women’s Cup matches.

In conjunction with the tournament — to be played Aug. 18-21 at Lynn Family Stadium — players from both clubs will also help lead a unique youth camp while in town, joining their counterparts from the NWSL’s Racing Louisville FC and the Chicago Red Stars.

Camp signups are open now for children ages 6-17 at a cost of $145. The session runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, on the same fields used by professionals at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center at Champions Park.

In addition to instruction from members of the 2020-2021 Budesliga champion Bayern and Division 1 Féminine winner PSG, each camper will receive a signed photo from a pro player and a training T-shirt.

Coaches will provide conceptual talks to campers in addition to operating stations concentrating on possession, shooting, ball coordination and other vital soccer skills.

“We want The Women’s Cup to be all about fan engagement,” said tournament director J.P. Reynal. “We’d like everyone to enjoy the games but also meet the players and learn from them. This youth camp is the perfect opportunity for local kids to train with the best women’s soccer players in the world.”

The Women’s Cup — an inaugural tournament kicking off in Louisville — consists of two doubleheader sessions.

First, on Wednesday the 18th, are Racing versus Chicago and Bayern against PSG. Then on Saturday the 21st, winners meet for The Women’s Cup trophy to go along with a third-place game.

The competition structure ensures both domestic participants will match up with one of their decorated international counterparts. Tickets remain available at TheWomensCup.world.

In addition to winning their domestic leagues, both Bayern and PSG reached this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. The clubs will be in Louisville as part of their 2021-2022 preseason.

Soccer Holdings, LLC. — parent company of Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC — has collaborated again with the renowned Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn and family on a partnership extending well beyond naming rights announced Friday for the clubs’ new training facility.   

Louisville’s professional soccer teams and the Lynns are operating side by side at what’s now known as the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center. In addition to housing day-to-day operations for LouCity, Racing and their back-office staff, the facility offers the same array of services to the community used to keep professional soccer stars at their peaks. 

Visit LynnFamilySportsVisionandTraining.com or call (502) 308-LYNN to book a session. Options including sports vision testing, training and specialized therapy for those who have suffered concussions, strokes or traumatic brain injury. 

“We are very proud to expand upon our partnership with the Lynns, a family whose values and principles align with ours,” said Soccer Holdings president Brad Estes. “It sounds cliche, but we absolutely would not be in this position without their support. The cutting-edge technology of Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training will be a game changer for not only our players but for athletes of all ages and crafts.”

The Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center naming rights mark the latest philanthropic move for the Lynns, who proudly support a number of organizations such as the Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Kid Center for Pediatric Therapies, Down Syndrome of Louisville, Kosair Children’s Hospital, The Lord’s Kitchen, West Side Track Club, Compassion International, Future Farmers of America, 4H, JDRF and the American Cancer Society. They’re also well known for providing scholarships to students at Simmons College, Bellarmine, University of Louisville and Owensboro Community Technical College. 

Lynn is a highly successful eye care provider as the head of Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates. His latest venture, Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training, is also operated by wife Cindy and son Mark. 

“Opening the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center is exciting as we work with athletes of all ages on improving their ability to process,” Lynn said. “That’s from the pros we currently work with to the collegiate level, school age or even the weekend warriors that just want to beat their friends. We specialize in all sports including boxing, mixed martial arts, tennis, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, golf and volleyball — just to name a few.

“However, we are much more than just sports trainers. Some of the equipment and tools we use are mimicked by the Navy Seals and Special Forces Units to help in processing situations better and in making more sound decisions. These techniques can assist those recovering from concussions, traumatic brain injury and stroke so we can help put their lives back together.

“We also can help with people who have trouble processing things they see, such as adult reading issues or children dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We can also work with the average person wanting to sharpen his or her mind.

“We have many things to offer, and we are proud to be able to start this new venture with LouCity, Racing Louisville and the cIty we dearly love, Louisville.”

The Lynns — blessed with four children and 16 grandchildren, with a 17th on the way — have been fixtures at LouCity and Racing Louisville games while becoming a key part of both clubs’ success on the pitch. Earlier this year, Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training became available to all players as an option to hone their craft. 

According to the Lynns, more than 80% of all perceptual input in sports is visual. However, athletes and trainers rarely think to improve visual systems past glasses or contacts — what the Lynns view as the bare minimum to address. Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training works to improve an athlete’s optical system (eyes) and perceptual system (brain).  

One of Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training’s top advocates is Racing Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos. She’s leading the top-tier National Women’s Soccer League in saves and shutouts near the midpoint of Racing’s inaugural season while taking part in regular tests and training. 

“The sports vision training has been a bit of a dream come true,” Betos said. “As an athlete you are constantly chasing gains and 1% improvements. I’ve learned throughout my career that it is not the big things you do once in awhile that have the biggest impact but the little things you commit to every day. That is exactly what the eye vision training has provided me. Once we identified my weaknesses, we have gone to work in so many creative ways to improve my ability to track a shot left and right, up and down, through crowds of people in the box or even differently lit stadiums.

“As a goalkeeper, and for most athletes, every inch and second counts. For me, it can literally decide whether we win or lose a game. In just three months’ time I can honestly say I have gained those inches and made saves that I wasn’t before. I truly believe the commitment my teammates and I have made to this training has resulted in more points for Racing Louisville.  We are so lucky to have access to this incredible training tool. “

LouCity and Racing recently moved into the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, a privately financed, $15 million project. The building includes customized locker rooms for both clubs, a weight room, dining hall, media/film room and several fields, both grass for the pros and state-of-the-art turf used for the youth academy, camps, clinics and community events. 

Ground was broken Aug. 4, 2020, on the facility, which was built by AML Construction and operated by ASM Global. 

For Racing Louisville FC’s vice captain, Savannah McCaskill, joining the expansion team came at the perfect time to reinvigorate her career. 

In a recent interview with Rohtas Wadera on Give N’ Go the Podcast, McCaskill discussed her career journey and her aspirations to return to the United States Women’s National Team. 

“There have been ebbs and flows of my career of me performing really well and me falling off,” McCaskill said. “I think the last year, I have really focused on what I can do to get myself back with the national team. Everything from what I do in the offseason to come into training every single day with the mindset to grow. That has always been in the back of my mind.”

McCaskill, along with fellow former Chicago Red Stars forward Yuki Nagasato, was the first piece of Racing’s inaugural roster. So far this season, McCaskill has led the team in minutes played, plus netted her first goal in lavender against her former club. Along with her on the field impact, she is also embracing her role as a leader in the young team. 

“I think it has been a welcomed change and challenge for me,” McCaskill said. “It is making me better as a person and as a player to continue to push in how I communicate to some of the younger players or hold myself to standard so I can hold others to those same standards.”

As the season continues to roll along, McCaskill wants to maintain the high standard and mentality found in the Racing locker room so they can reach its full potential. 

“It would be an injustice to ourselves if we start overlooking teams instead of going in focusing ourselves and getting the job done.” 

McCaskill joins the episode, which can be heard in full above, at the 32:50 mark.