Racing Louisville FC made multiple roster moves ahead of the NWSL’s End of Season Waiver Wire commencing Wednesday with James O’Connor, executive vice president of development, managing decisions as the club completes its head coaching search.
Racing has exercised options to keep under contract midfielders Lauren Milliet, Freja Olofsson and Taylor Otto along with forward Savannah McCaskill.
Departing players from last season’s team include goalkeepers Michelle Betos and Shelby Money; defenders Brooke Hendrix and Sinclaire Miramontez; as well as forwards Jorian Baucom, Vanessa Kara and Katie McClure.
“We thank all the players who are moving on from Racing Louisville and wish them every success with their careers,” O’Connor said. “They will always be a part of our history as members of the inaugural team that helped launch this club.
“Through offseason processes, we made the very difficult decision not to negotiate a new contract with Michelle. She wants to be a starter in the league. With that in mind, we felt it important to be open with Michelle and let her seek a new opportunity promising more minutes.
“The next time we see Michelle — hopefully defending the other goal next year at Lynn Family Stadium — she’s due a warm welcome in Louisville. We’re grateful and appreciative of all she did here.”
All other Racing players newly signed last year remain under contract for 2022. A handful of those selected in the 2020 Expansion Draft have reached the end of their deals, and the club has accordingly made qualifying offers to negotiate in hopes of coming to new agreements.
Looking forward, Racing will form a nine-player protected list to be announced Friday for the Dec. 16 expansion draft. The club previously traded for full protection from Los Angeles’ Angel City FC but is in line to lose a player to the new San Diego Wave FC.
From there, the NWSL Draft — the primary entry process for college players turning professional — follows on Dec. 18. Racing has acquired Angel City’s first-round pick, No. 2 overall, and will also select fourth in each of the event’s four rounds.
Offseason processes lead up to Racing’s second season after an inaugural campaign that ended on a high note, with the club taking points from its final three games. Louisville also ranked second in the NWSL in attendance, averaging 6,059 at Lynn Family Stadium.
