Jess McDonald’s 82nd-minute goal helped Racing Louisville FC to a 1-1 draw in its regular-season home opener against the Houston Dash on Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium.
All things considered, the result was met with satisfaction from Racing Louisville, which had to make four last-minute, unexpected changes to its starting lineup between two and six hours before kickoff. One expected starter was placed in COVID-19 protocols, while three others were late scratches because of illness.
Racing coach Kim Björkegren called it the most difficult build-up to a game in his 15-year coaching career, expressing pride in the “fighting spirit” from his team.
“I think we were the better team,” Björkegren said. “We had 60% of the possession and we created more chances. You can see even after they scored, we kept fighting and looking for the equalizer, and even after that, we kept going for the winner. That’s all I can ask for out of the team today, and I’m extremely proud of them.”
Racing (0-1-2, two points) started the day with fullback Rebecca Holloway in the starting lineup, along with midfielder Freja Olofsson and center backs Gemma Bonner and Julia Lester. By 7 p.m., an hour before kick, defenders Addisyn Merrick, Nealy Martin and Erin Simon and attacker Kirsten Davis had entered the starting 11 in place of their teammates.
“You could see the depth we have on this team and how incredible everyone is,” McDonald said. “It’s been amazing to see those who haven’t played much, like Erin Simon, who is coming back from an injury. … She deserved the start today, as you could see. She’s a brick wall, and I commend her for performing the way that she did. Same with Addie Merrick. Coming in, she didn’t know that she was going to start, either. For the two of them to play really well together, that just shows you the level of professionalism with these young players, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
McDonald’s goal came at a critical moment, just minutes after Houston’s Nichelle Prince scored the go-ahead goal on a rebound from Racing goalkeeper Katie Lund’s spectacular save on the initial point-blank header in the 77th minute. The Dash scored on a corner against the run of play after Racing dominated the second half, controlling nearly 60% of possession and coming close to the game’s first goal on three separate occasions.
Racing attacker Emina Ekic pressured Houston into a turnover in its own defensive third, then midfielder Savannah DeMelo cut the ball back into fullback Lauren Milliet’s path some 25 yards to the right of Houston’s goal.
Milliet’s perfect delivery found McDonald floating into a pocket of space behind Houston’s center backs, and the veteran forward coolly slotted her header into the side netting on the far post, just past Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell.
It was McDonald’s second goal in as many matches and her 53rd career goal in the National Women’s Soccer League regular season.
For Racing, the focus now turns to Alex Morgan and the San Diego Wave, who visit Wednesday for the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Racing will enter that game with an uplifted spirit after Saturday’s rally, both in the game and before it.
“Jess (McDonald) had a great speech before we came out,” said fullback Emily Fox, who along with McDonald is among the team’s four captains. “I think we are all there for each other. People who don’t normally start started today, and they proved they are just as good and deserve a chance to start.”
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash
Date: May 14, 2022
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: 78 degrees, cloudy
Player of the Match: Emily Fox
Attendance: 5,271
Scoring
Racing Louisville (0, 1, 1)
Houston Dash (0, 1, 1)
Goals
Racing Louisville FC:
82’ Jess McDonald (Lauren Milliet)
Houston Dash:
77’ Nichelle Prince
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-2-3-1): 1 – Katie Lund; 11 – Emily Fox, 26 – Addisyn Merrick, 3 – Erin Simon (66’ 13 – Emina Ekic),17 – Nealy Martin; 6 – Jaelin Howell (83’ 19 – Taylor Otto), 7 – Savannah DeMelo; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 5 – Cece Kizer (83’ 9 – Ebony Salmon), 22 – Kirsten Davis (56’ 23 – Sh’Nia Gordon); 14 – Jessica McDonald
Subs not used: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 12 – Taylor Malham, 27 – Alex Chidiac, 21 – Parker Goins
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
Houston Dash (4-3-3): 1 – Jane Campbell; 19 – Elizabeth Eddy (90’+1 12 – Julia Ashley), 25 – Katie Naughton, 9 – Haley Hanson, 23 – Ally Prisock; 13 – Sophie Schmidt (72’ 18 – Emily Ogle), 14 – Bri Visalli (64’ 17 – Kelcie Hedge), 10 – Shea Groom; 8 – Nichelle Prince, 3 – Rachel Daly (c) (90’+1 30 – Natalie Jacobs), 7 – Maria Sanchez
Subs not used: 20 – Lindsey Harris; 2 – Allysha Chapman, 21 – Ryan Gareis
Head Coach: Sarah Lowdon
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville FC / Houston Dash
Shots: 10 / 11
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Possession: 59.7% / 40.3%
Fouls: 11 / 15
Offside: 3 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville:
67’ Nealy Martin (yellow)
Houston Dash:
60’ Haley Hanson (yellow)
78’ Kelcie Hedge (yellow)
89’ Rachel Daly (yellow)
Referee: Samantha Martinez
