Most Racing Louisville FC players officially reported Tuesday for the club’s second-ever preseason training camp that figures to feature heightened competition for a few remaining roster spots.
Twenty-eight players are in camp — a combination of those previously signed, college draft picks and non-roster invitees — as Racing’s staff hones in on which individuals to get under contract.
“I’m super excited to get on the pitch with our players,” said head coach Kim Björkegren. “It’s been three or four months since I’ve been able to run a training session, and I know it’s been about the same for the team to participate in one. We’ll all be figuring things out again with one another and really use the first week to acclimate.
“We have an interesting squad, and the offseason additions speak for themselves in terms of quality. We’ll also have some young players in camp to show what they’ve got. There feels like a lot of energy around the team — both coaches and players — and I can’t wait to get started.”
Racing starts preseason with 17 players under contract. New additions include decorated forward Jess McDonald and the No. 2 overall 2022 NWSL Draft pick Jaelin Howell, a midfielder out of Florida State recently called up to train with the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Others from Howell’s draft class — midfielder Savannah DeMelo (Southern California), defender Charmé Morgan (Oklahoma State), goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer (Wisconsin), forward Jenna Menta (Wake Forest) and defender Sydney Cummings (Georgetown) — have all reported to Louisville for camp.
Playing rights to forward Parker Goins (Arkansas), defender Emily Smith (California) and midfielder Taylor Malham (Arkansas) were picked up through last year’s draft processes. Now termed non-roster invitees, each of them are in Louisville to vie for a contract as well.
Racing has also brought in goalkeepers Hillary Beall (Michigan) and Gabby Kouzelos (Louisville) along with midfielder Sadie Sider-Echenberg from Canada’s University of Ottawa.
Racing is putting the finishing touches on its technical staff. Similar to last year, a preseason schedule being finalized will pit the club’s pros against a number of regional NCAA Division I programs. Preparations lead up to a March 19 start to the NWSL’s Challenge Cup before the regular season opens in May.
With 12 teams in the league thanks to additions of expansion sides Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, NWSL clubs will play a balanced 22-game slate, facing every club home and away. Six teams will qualify for the playoffs with the NWSL Championship played the weekend of Oct. 28-30.
2022 Racing Louisville FC Roster
Goalkeepers (4): Hillary Beall (NRI), Jordyn Bloomer (CDP), Gabby Kouzelos (NRI), Katie Lund
Defenders (8): Gemma Bonner, Sydney Cummings (CDP), Emily Fox, Nealy Martin, Charmé Morgan (CDP), Addisyn Merrick, Erin Simon, Emily Smith (NRI)
Midfielders (7): Savannah DeMelo (CDP), Jaelin Howell, Taylor Malham (NRI), Lauren Milliet, Freja Olofsson, Taylor Otto, Sadie Sider-Echenberg (NRI)
Forwards (9): Kirsten Davis, Emina Ekic, Parker Goins (NRI), Cece Kizer, Cheyna Matthews (NYR), Jess McDonald, Jenna Menta (CDP), Nadia Nadim (NYR), Ebony Salmon
Key:
CDP – NWSL College Draft Pick
NRI – Non-Roster Invitee
NYR — Not Yet Reported
