:Racing Louisville FC
{{short description|National Women's Soccer League team in Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Racing Louisville FC
| image = Racing Louisville FC logo.svg
| image_size = 200px
| fullname = Racing Louisville Football Club
| nickname =
| founded = {{start date and age|2019|10|22}}
| stadium = Lynn Family Stadium
Louisville, Kentucky
| capacity = 15,304
| owntitle =
| owner = Soccer Holdings, LLC
| chrtitle =
| chairman = John Neace
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = Bev Yanez
| league = National Women's Soccer League
| season = 2025
| position = Regular season: TBD
Playoffs: TBD
| current = 2025 Racing Louisville FC season
| American = true
| website = https://www.racingloufc.com/
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Racing Louisville Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in Louisville, Kentucky, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It began playing in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium. The team is owned by Soccer Holdings LLC. The expansion team was announced on October 22, 2019.{{cite press release |date=October 22, 2019 |title=National Women's Soccer League announces expansion to Louisville in 2021 |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-expansion-to-louisville-in-2021 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027113957/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-expansion-to-louisville-in-2021 |url-status=live }} Currently, they are the only major professional team to play in the state of Kentucky.
History
Louisville was mentioned as a potential candidate for an expansion team in National Women's Soccer League as early as 2018, shortly after construction began on their soccer-specific venue, Lynn Family Stadium.{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Neal |date=August 23, 2018 |title=NWSL expansion could see teams added in USL cities |url=https://www.wralsportsfan.com/nwsl-expansion-could-see-teams-added-in-usl-cities/17788280/ |work=WRALSportsFan |publisher=WRAL |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709005647/https://www.wralsportsfan.com/nwsl-expansion-could-see-teams-added-in-usl-cities/17788280/ |url-status=live }} The ownership group of USL Championship club Louisville City FC began preliminary discussions with the league the following year, with plans to enter in the 2020 season.{{cite news |last=Lerner |first=Danielle |date=August 14, 2019 |title=NWSL looking at Louisville as a candidate for women's pro soccer expansion |page=B1 |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2019/08/13/nwsl-eyeing-louisville-expansion-help-loucity-owners/2002900001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=July 8, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Linehan |first1=Megan |last2=Rueter |first2=Jeff |date=August 13, 2019 |title=Sources: Louisville is the leading candidate for 2020 NWSL expansion |url=https://theathletic.com/1135701/2019/08/13/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101162225/https://theathletic.com/1135701/2019/08/13/ |url-status=live }} Louisville's NWSL expansion team was officially announced on October 22, 2019, sharing its ownership group with Louisville City FC. It would begin play in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Tim |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Louisville is getting a National Women's Soccer League franchise. Here's what to know |page=A1 |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/10/22/nwsl-expansion-louisville-womens-soccer-team-start-play-2021/4058872002/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=July 8, 2020}} The team became the first professional team to play in the city of Louisville since the Kentucky Colonels in 1975.{{cite news |last= Gardner |first=Hayes |date=May 21, 2020 |title=45 years ago, Kentucky Colonels won 'a piece of treasure' as world's best basketball team |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/nba/2020/05/21/45-years-ago-kentucky-colonels-worlds-best-basketball-team/3100859001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=April 7, 2025}}
In November 2019, NWSL filed a trademark application for "Proof Louisville FC", which was confirmed by Louisville City FC as their preliminary name for the team. The name references the local bourbon whiskey industry by using the term "proof", a measure of alcohol content.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Tim |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Louisville's NWSL expansion team has a name, and it's a nod to Kentucky's favorite spirit |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/11/12/proof-louisville-fc-name-louisvilles-expansion-nwsl-team/2576756001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=July 8, 2020}} The ownership group later announced in April 2020 that they would explore other names with community input after a mixed reception from fans.{{cite magazine |last=Creditor |first=Avi |date=July 8, 2020 |title=NWSL Expansion Team to Be Called Racing Louisville FC |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-nwsl-expansion-team-name-colors-crest |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406022327/https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-nwsl-expansion-team-name-colors-crest |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=Hayes |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Proof Louisville FC — the city's NWSL team — may get a new name |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2020/04/21/nwsl-proof-louisville-fc-moniker-under-reconsideration/2996740001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=July 8, 2020}} The club's new name, Racing Louisville FC, was officially unveiled on July 8, 2020.{{cite news |last=Aulbach |first=Lucas |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Meet Racing Louisville FC: New NWSL team announces name and colors ahead of 2021 debut |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-nwsl-franchise-name-colors-announced/5396501002/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419060357/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-nwsl-franchise-name-colors-announced/5396501002/ |url-status=live }} PNC Bank was announced as the club's first kit sponsor on July 1, 2020, with the company's logo appearing on the back of the team's jerseys.{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Marty |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Louisville women's soccer franchise lands first major corporate sponsor |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2020/07/01/nwsl-pnc.html |work=Louisville Business First |access-date=July 8, 2020}} On December 17, 2020, Louisville City announced that GE Appliances, which had already been that club's primary shirt sponsor (i.e., on the front of the kit), would expand this sponsorship to include all clubs under the Louisville City umbrella, including Racing.{{cite press release |url=https://www.loucity.com/news_article/show/1137388 |title=GE Appliances Extends LouCity Agreement, Expands Support for Soccer |publisher=Louisville City FC |date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217150041/https://www.loucity.com/news_article/show/1137388 |url-status=live }}
Former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly was named as Racing Louisville FC's first head coach on August 12, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Aulbach |first1=Lucas |last2=Yates |first2=Dominique |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Christy Holly will lead Racing Louisville FC, the city's new NWSL franchise, in 2021 |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2020/08/12/nwsl-racing-louisville-fc-names-christy-holly-head-coach/3353232001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=August 12, 2020}} The club made their NWSL debut in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, where they finished at the bottom of the East Division with two losses and two draws.{{cite news |date=May 2, 2021 |title=Racing Louisville FC ends Challenge Cup with 0–0 tie at Gotham FC |url=https://www.wdrb.com/sports/racing-louisville-fc-ends-challenge-cup-with-0-0-tie-at-gotham-fc/article_57b5e8ec-ab7f-11eb-9c29-7bf5bd9af718.html |publisher=WDRB |accessdate=August 10, 2021 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811055927/https://www.wdrb.com/sports/racing-louisville-fc-ends-challenge-cup-with-0-0-tie-at-gotham-fc/article_57b5e8ec-ab7f-11eb-9c29-7bf5bd9af718.html |url-status=live }} Racing Louisville FC made their home debut on May 15, 2021, playing to a scoreless draw against Kansas City NWSL.{{cite news |last=Saxon |first=Jonathan |date=May 15, 2021 |title=Racing Louisville, Kansas City fight to 0–0 draw in season opener |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2021/05/15/racing-louisville-kansas-city-finish-0-0-draw-season-opener/5112839001/ |work=The Courier-Journal |accessdate=August 10, 2021}}
Holly was fired for cause on August 31, 2021, and the club named Mario Sanchez, head of the club's youth academy and former collegiate coach, as the interim head coach.{{Cite news|last=Garnder|first=Hayes|date=August 31, 2021|title=Racing Louisville FC fires first head coach Christy Holly 'for cause'
|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2021/08/31/racing-louisville-fc-fires-head-coach-christy-holly-for-cause/5675813001/|work=The Courier-Journal|accessdate=August 31, 2021}} After the season, veteran Swedish coach Kim Björkegren was named as the permanent replacement.{{cite press release |url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1197760 |title=Racing Louisville FC Hires Björkegren as Head Coach |publisher=Racing Louisville FC |date=December 9, 2021 |accessdate=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127151707/https://www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1197760 |url-status=dead }} In 2022, a report from U.S. Soccer revealed that Holly had allegedly sexually abused players as coach of Racing.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Steph |last2=Linehan |first2=Meg |date=October 3, 2022 |title=NWSL investigations: Everything you need to know from Sally Yates' report and what's next |url=https://theathletic.com/3653283/2022/10/03/nwsl-investigations-faq/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=limited |accessdate=June 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202061144/https://theathletic.com/3653283/2022/10/03/nwsl-investigations-faq/ |url-status=live }}
Racing named former NWSL MVP finalist and Best XI selection Bev Yanez as its new coach in November 2023.{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Racing Louisville FC appoint assistant Bev Yanez as new head coach to replace Kim Bjorkegren |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/racing-louisville-fc-appoint-assistant-bev-yanez-as-new-head-coach-to-replace-kim-bjorkegren/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320142259/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/racing-louisville-fc-appoint-assistant-bev-yanez-as-new-head-coach-to-replace-kim-bjorkegren/ |url-status=live }}
Club identity
Racing Louisville FC is named in reference to the city's horse racing venues, including the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, using the "Racing" moniker used by foreign clubs. The club's circular crest uses a lavender background and a four-pointed fleur-de-lis at its center in violet. It was designed by Matthew Wolff, who had previously worked with Major League Soccer teams New York City FC and Los Angeles FC.{{cite press release|title=Racing Louisville FC announced as NWSL's newest franchise|url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-announced-as-nwsls-newest-franchise/|website=RacingLouFC.com|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2024|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213061103/https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2020/07/08/racing-louisville-fc-announced-as-nwsls-newest-franchise/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Marty |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Louisville's new women's pro soccer team unveils name, logo |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2020/07/08/nwsl-new-name.html |work=Louisville Business First |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 8, 2020}}
Stadium and facilities
File:Louisville City match at Lynn Family Stadium 2023.jpg, the team's home venue]]
The club shares Lynn Family Stadium and its training facilities with Louisville City FC. The soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2020, has a seated capacity of 11,600, with standing-room capacity up to 15,304.{{cite press release |date=October 22, 2019 |title=NWSL coming to Louisville in 2021 |url=https://www.loucity.com/news_article/show/1058809 |publisher=Louisville City FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710214334/https://www.loucity.com/news_article/show/1058809 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2020}} The {{convert|20|acre|ha|adj=mid}} training facilities at Louisville Champions Park includes several practice fields and an indoor gymnasium and office complex.{{cite press release |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Soccer Holdings releases plans for new training facility |url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1112399 |publisher=Racing Louisville FC |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709024931/https://www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1112399 |url-status=dead }}
Players and staff
{{see also|List of Racing Louisville FC players}}
=Current squad=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" scope="col"|No.
! style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" scope="col"|Pos. ! style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" scope="col"|Player ! style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" scope="col"|Nation |
|---|
| {{Fs player2 | no=1 | nat=USA | pos=GK | name={{sortname|Katie|Lund}} }}
{{Fs player2 | no=2 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Lauren|Milliet}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=3 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Arin|Wright}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=4 | nat=FIN | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Elli|Pikkujämsä}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=5 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Ellie|Jean}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=6 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Ella|Hase}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=7 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Savannah|DeMelo}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=8 | nat=BRA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Ary|Borges}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=9 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Kayla|Fischer}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=11 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Courtney|Petersen}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=12 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Allie|George}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=13 | nat=USA | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Emma|Sears}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=14 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Marisa|DiGrande}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=15 | nat=COL | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Ángela|Barón}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=16 | nat=CAN | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Janine|Sonis}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=17 | nat=USA | pos=DF | name={{sortname|Maddie|Pokorny}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=19 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Jordan|Baggett}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=20 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Katie|O'Kane}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=22 | nat=USA | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Kirsten|Wright}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=24 | nat=USA | pos=GK | name={{sortname|Jordyn|Bloomer}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=26 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Taylor|Flint}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=29 | nat=NGA | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Uchenna|Kanu}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=34 | nat=USA | pos=MF | name={{sortname|Avery|Kalitta}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=42 | nat=USA | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Sarah|Weber}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=71 | nat=USA | pos=GK | name={{sortname|Maddy|Anderson}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=88 | nat=USA | pos=FW | name={{sortname|Bethany|Balcer}} }} {{Fs player2 | no=99 | nat=USA | pos=GK | name={{sortname|Olivia|Sekany}}}} |
== Out on loan ==
=Staff=
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" colspan="2"|Technical |
|---|
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head coach |s={{flagdeco|USA}} Beverly Goebel Yanez}}
{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Assistant coach |s={{flagdeco|CAN}} Carmelina Moscato}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Assistant coach |s={{flagdeco|USA}} Mitch Sowerby}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Goalkeeper coach |s={{flagdeco|USA}} Sergio Gonzalez}} |
| scope="col" style="background:#14002F; color:#FFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#C5B5F2|2px}};" colspan="2"|Support
{{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head athletic trainer |s=Tara Condon}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Assistant athletic trainer |s=Isabelle Clarke}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head equipment manager |s=Sarah Kanuch}} |
=Head coaches=
- {{flagdeco|NIR}} Christy Holly (2021)
- {{flagdeco|USA}} Mario Sanchez (interim; 2021)
- {{flagdeco|SWE}} Kim Björkegren (2022–2023)
- {{flagdeco|USA}} Bev Yanez (2023–present)
Record
=Year-by-year=
as of November 5, 2024
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Season
! rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |League ! colspan="9" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Regular season ! rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Playoffs ! rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Challenge Cup ! rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Average attendance ! rowspan="2" style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |Total attendance |
|---|
| style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|P|Games played}}
! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|W|Wins}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|D|Draws}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|L|Losses}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|GF|Goals for}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|GA|Goals against}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|GD|Goals against}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|Pts|Points}} ! style="background:#14002F; color:white; border:2px solid #C5B5F2;" scope="col" |{{tooltip|Pos|Position}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center" |2021
| rowspan="5" | NWSL |24 |5 |7 |12 |21 |40 | -19 |22 |9th |Did not qualify |Group stage |6,565 |79,042 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center" |2022
|22 |5 |8 |9 |23 |35 | -12 |23 |9th |Did not qualify |Group stage |6,048 |66,529 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center" |2023
|22 |6 |9 |7 |25 |24 |1 |27 |9th |Did not qualify |Runners-up |5,999 |65,989 |
| 2024
|26 |7 |7 |12 |33 |39 | -6 |28 |9th |Did not qualify |DNQ |6,223 |86,916 |
| 2025
|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |TBD |TBD |TBD |TBD |TBD |
| colspan="2" |Total
|94 |23 |31 |40 |102 |138 |-36 |100 |9th* |no playoff Apps |^2nd | | |
^2nd = Highest position
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.racingloufc.com/}}
{{Racing Louisville FC}}
{{National Women's Soccer League}}
{{Kentucky Sports}}
{{US Women's soccer}}
Category:2019 establishments in Kentucky
Category:Association football clubs established in 2019
Category:National Women's Soccer League teams