Thomas Costello covers the NWSL for Beyond Women’s Sports, which offers stories throughout the world of women’s professional and collegiate athletics. Follow Thomas on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
Racing Louisville FC came back from the international break Sunday and put prior results in the rearview mirror. At Lynn Family Stadium, against an always dangerous Houston Dash side, the NWSL expansion club extended its unbeaten streak at home with a 1-0 victory. The showing proved that when Racing is healthy and new faces get a chance to acclimate, this team’s ceiling can push higher.
Here are a few lessons learned from Louisville’s second-ever victory.
Fresh faces shine
Louisville and NWSL supporters will talk about Ebony Salmon’s game-winning goal for a long time. In the 71st minute, seconds after subbing on, the 20-year-old English striker made an incredible individual effort to move around two Houston defenders and bury the first shot of her NWSL career. Head coach Christy Holly shared in the excitement.
“She’s going to push the standard,” he said. “She’s just going to make us better, which is fantastic, both in the games and the training environment.”
The social media chatter around the goal was warranted, and there will likely be some Salmon jerseys in the stands soon. But she wasn’t the only significant new addition to Racing’s rotation on Sunday.
Veteran defender Gemma Bonner, who recently plied her trade with Manchester City in the FA Women’s Super League, played a full 90 minutes at center back to mark her first minutes since December due to a combination of injury and COVID-19 diagnosis.
After an initial 15 minutes in which Bonner made some passing mistakes, picking up a yellow card as the emotions of the day took their toll, she calmed and her performance upped. Bonner positioned herself well against a left side of the field for Houston that includes U.S. international Kristie Mewis. Bonner cleared chances off the line and completed the most passes for Louisville on the day, 56.
“First half we were disappointed with how we were,” said Bonner. “We were giving away easy chances, but I think in the second half, we really tightened up and when you got the likes of Ebony coming from the bench, with her first touch and doing what she did, it was thoroughly deserved today.”
Taking their shots
Prior to Sunday’s victory, Louisville came into the match with five shots on goal registered in four regular season matches. Against Houston, the club doubled its total.
Racing still required goalkeeper Michelle Betos to make key saves, seven total and the biggest in the 87th minute off a Veronica Latsko shot. But getting more shots of their own on frame shows progress.
All five on target came from different players, too. Aside from Salmon’s magnificent goal, Emina Ekic, Lauren Milliet, Cece Kizer and Freja Olofsson all made Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell work. A big reason for the improved offensive attack goes to vice captain Savannah McCaskill.
McCaskill took advantage of the midfield all day. Her effort on defense turned into chances down the pitch. Before the Estopinal End went crazy in the backdrop of Salmon’s goal, it was McCaskill who charged through, fought off a Houston defender and set up the chance, earning an assist. It was one of four chances she created on the afternoon.
Racing’s dynamic offensive midfielder is showing the league what she can do now that’s she’s on a side that allows her to play her style of the game.
Schedule congestion next
Post-match, Holly and Bonner both spoke about the busy week ahead. On Wednesday, Racing welcomes NC Courage back to Louisville, where they have the chance to avenge a 5-0 loss from May 28. Saturday, the club travels to meet the Chicago Red Stars for the first time in franchise history.
Those opponents promise a dynamic style of play different from Houston’s counter attacking soccer.
“I think in training if we can keep it competitive and healthy then every single player here is supporting whoever’s on the pitch no matter if they’re on the bench or in the stands,” said Bonner. “I think that’s a real great quality that we’ve got. We’re always pushing each other and you know that when you step out on the pitch you have everyone’s support behind you.”
Louisville is showing the league that it can adapt. Racing made adjustments Sunday after a Houston first half that looked like past performances in the regular season: a lot of shots allowed and having to make do with what possession it earned.
But for almost 30 minutes of the second half, Louisville adapted and become the aggressor. They take those lessons with them into Wednesday.
“We may have won 1-0, but did we get better?” asked Holly. “Did we apply different lessons from previous weeks to our performance today? If the answers yes, then yes, we’re moving forward. If the answer is no, we sit down tomorrow, we hash it out and we go again.”
