Racing Louisville FC has set a five-game preseason schedule against NCAA Division I opponents, it was announced Monday, to mark the club’s first competitions with new coach Kim Björkegren in charge.
Preseason games are expected to be played in training ground environments closed to the public. Available updates will be communicated via the club’s social media channels and website.
In addition to its coach, Racing has added a number of new players over the offseason, including veteran forward Jess McDonald and top draft pick Jaelin Howell, while looking to improve on a ninth-place NWSL finish in its inaugural year.
Having opened training Feb. 1, Racing will play its first preseason game Friday when hosting the University of Louisville at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center. The Cardinals have been linked to Racing since the club’s beginnings with Racing making Louisville native Emina Ekic the program’s first NWSL Draft pick at No. 5 overall in 2021.
From there, Racing heads south for a week of training — plus a pair of games against elite competition. The club will face defending national champion Florida State in Tallahassee on both Feb. 21 and 24. Of course, Racing recently signed Howell, a Seminoles great who twice won the MAC Hermann Trophy for NCAA Division I player of the year.
Back home on March 5, Racing will host the reigning Southeastern Conference tournament champion University of Tennessee before closing out preseason competition March 12 against Murray State. The NWSL Challenge Cup is then slated to open March 18, with six tournament games preceding the regular seasons’s start in mid-May.
Racing Louisville FC’s 2022 Preseason Schedule
Feb. 18 vs. Louisville
Feb. 21 at Florida State
Feb. 24 at Florida State
March 5 vs. Tennessee
March 12 vs. Murray State
