A quick turnaround follows Racing Louisville FC’s hard-fought midweek draw at Chicago Red Stars, with NWSL Challenge Cup play set to continue at 3 p.m. Saturday against the KC Current at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
The Challenge Cup is a league-wide competition preceding the regular season,, with this matchup the return game of the home-and-home Cup series with the Current. The two teams drew 1-1 in the Challenge Cup opener on March 18 at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, where Cece Kizer scored the go-ahead goal for Racing and Kansas City’s Addie McCain later equalized.
Racing Louisville (0-1-2, 2 points) sits five points behind first place but only two out of second in the four-team Challenge Cup Central Division. Racing is still looking for its first Challenge Cup victory in club history, with three losses and four draws in two tournament appearances. Three matches remain for Racing in the competition’s group stage.
Led by forward Kristen Hamilton and fullback Hailie Mace, Kansas City (2-0-1) is off to a strong start in the competition despite a season-ending injury to U.S. Women’s National Team star Lynn Williams and the still-limited return of USWNT standout midfielder Sam Mewis. The Current enters Saturday’s match on a two-match winning streak, with back-to-back wins over Chicago and Houston since seeing Racing.
This is the fifth meeting between the two clubs, with two draws and each team winning once. Racing finished with a expansion-team-record 22 points last season, six points clear of Kansas City in the NWSL table.
Follow along…
• For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @RacingLouFC on Twitter and Racing Louisville FC on Facebook. Also find us at @racinglouisvillefc on Instagram.
• The game will stream live on Paramount+ in the United States and on Twitch internationally.
Player availability report
• Nadia Nadim (out, right leg)
Story lines…
Clean sheet Katie: In her role as Racing’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Katie Lund registered her first clean sheet as a professional against Chicago on Wednesday, stopping two shots to hold the shutout. The Texas native has been excellent through Racing’s first three Challenge Cup matches, with 12 saves and six clearances in two draws and a loss. This marked the first club clean sheet since June of 2021.
Salmon stands out: While she didn’t get a goal Wednesday, Ebony Salmon did everything but in a stellar 90-minute performance. Taking advantage of her first start of the season, Salmon placed 3 of her 4 shots on target, with the trio of attempts all termed “Big Chances” by Stats Perform. The 21-year-old England international led Racing in scoring last year with 6 goals.
Lester’s big splash: New signing Julia Lester excelled in her first two NWSL appearances. Having arrived only two weeks ago from coach Kim Björkegren’s former team, Cypriot club Apollon Ladies, the defender put forth a Player of the Match performance Wednesday in Chicago, completing 60 of 64 passes. She also won the ball back 13 times and came up with a 39th-minute sliding tackle in the box to thwart a Red Stars chance.
Ekic finds her place: Hometown product Emina Ekic created a team-best three chances while delivering six crosses and 13 passes in the attacking third against Chicago. The University of Louisville and Manual High grad also rattled the crossbar on a sliding volley effort just before halftime, nearly scoring what would have been a marvelous goal, and did hit the back of the net in the 88th minute only to be flagged offside. Ekic has started two of the three Challenge Cup matches so far, featuring on the left flank.
Fullback versatility: In her third Challenge Cup appearance, Addisyn Merrick shifted to right back in the starting lineup for Racing’s draw at Chicago. She swapped sides with regular left back Emily Fox midway through the first half to give Racing a different look on its back line. Lester, who substituted for Fox against the Houston Dash last Friday and played left back, started in central defense Wednesday.
A pro debut: Rookie midfielder Taylor Malham made her first professional appearance Wednesday night in Chicago, coming on in the 90th minute for Ekic. The University of Arkansas product signed in March after a successful preseason trial, impressing Racing’s coaching staff with her fitness level and energy. Three more players on Racing’s roster are still looking for their professional bows, including goalkeepers Hillary Beall and Jordyn Bloomer and forward Parker Goins, who missed last game due to an illness.
Reinforcements on the way: Northern Ireland international Rebecca Holloway bolstered Racing’s defense on Thursday, with the club announcing her transfer from the FA WSL’s Birmingham City FC, a founding member of the top-flight league in England. Holloway starred for Birmingham over three seasons, making 49 appearances. She is also a regularly-featured left back for her national team as it attempts to qualify for a first World Cup. Holloway will arrive in Louisville after receiving her visa.
