The majority of Racing Louisville’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup stars are back in market and training with the team as the club made several roster moves ahead of its Saturday match against Angel City at Lynn Family Stadium.
U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Savannah DeMelo returned to training on Monday, while Nigerian forward Uchenna Kanu and China’s Wang Shuang came back on Tuesday. Brazil midfielder Ary Borges practiced on Thursday. South African forward Thembi Kgatlana is expected to rejoin Racing early next week, and Australian midfielder Alex Chidiac’s team will play in the World Cup third-place game this weekend.
“We are very excited to welcome Racing’s World Cup players back home to Louisville,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “We could not be prouder of their successes in Australia and New Zealand this summer. Their play demonstrates the growth of our club and our league on the global stage. These players will play an integral part for us as we push for a spot in the NWSL playoffs and the Challenge Cup final.”
In other roster moves, Racing signed midfielder Maddie Pokorny through the end of the season, waived forward Riley Parker and released defender Ella Shamburger from her National Team Replacement Player contract. Taylor Aylmer, a midfielder signed on a National Team Replacement Player contract, will continue with the team through the completion of the World Cup.
Pokorny, 24, impressed in four games while on a National Team Replacement Player temporary contract. The St. Louis native has played 95 minutes as a substitute in one regular-season game and three UKG NWSL Challenge Cup contests since joining Racing from Danish champions HB Køge.
“Maddie has brought a hard working and energized attitude to Louisville,” Dell said. “Her style of play fits well with what we are building on and off the field, and I am excited to see her grow with our club.”
“I am very excited to have extended my contract with Racing,” Pokorny said. “The feeling in this entire organization is something incredibly special, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to reach higher limits with this team and, overall, work the hardest I can to help represent the Big Purp in the best way.”
The 23-year-old Parker was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, selected by Racing in the third round. She spent the first half of the year on loan with Mexican club UANL Tigres, where she scored two goals in eight appearances, and has been available off the bench as a substitute for Racing in five matches this year.
Shamburger, a center back, signed with Racing in July as a National Team Replacement Player and was named to the substitutes bench for two games. The Vanderbilt grad was drafted by Kansas City this winter and spent a portion of preseason with the Current.
“We want to thank Riley and Ella for their commitment and passion during their time in Louisville,” Dell said. “They will always be a part of the Racing family, and we wish them the best in their next steps in their careers.”
Racing (4-4-7, 19 points) is in seventh place, two points out of playoff position as the NWSL regular season returns to action following a six-week break during the World Cup. There are seven matches left in the campaign, beginning with the Fill the Fam match against Angel City on Saturday. Louisville takes on OL Reign in the Challenge Cup semifinals on Sept. 6, with the final set for Sept. 9.
