One of the top young talents in the National Women’s Soccer League is moving to Louisville.
Racing Louisville acquired standout midfielder Taylor Flint (formerly Kornieck) in a trade with the San Diego Wave, the clubs announced Monday. In exchange, Racing sent $150,000 in allocation money to the Wave.
Racing also agreed to a new contract with Flint, who has two goals in 12 appearances with the U.S. Women’s National Team, restructuring terms in a new two-year deal through 2025.
“We are so excited for Taylor to join our group!” said Racing head coach Bev Yanez. “She’s dynamic and has such a strong presence on both sides of the ball. She provides versatility with a wealth of league experience, which will be a huge addition to the squad.”
“I’m super excited to have a chance to represent this organization,” Flint said. “New beginnings are usually tough, but if the amount of support I have already received says anything about the future, this is going to be a special place.”
“Taylor is an incredible young midfielder with both NWSL and U.S. Women’s National Team experience,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “I was fortunate to get to know her with the USWNT, and I am confident her play and personality will fit in seamlessly here in Louisville.”
The 25-year-old joins Racing after two successful seasons in San Diego, where she totaled six goals and four assists in 45 appearances between the NWSL regular season and UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. She played a key role in the Wave becoming the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in its debut campaign in 2022, and a year later she helped San Diego win the NWSL Shield, given to the first-place team through the regular season.
A versatile midfielder, Flint scored in her 2022 debut for the U.S. Women’s National Team and won gold medals at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship and the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.
With Racing, Flint adds even more firepower to what is already one of the top midfields in the NWSL. Her aerial presence, dribbling ability, ball-winning prowess and fluidity allow her to occupy different roles across a formation.
The Las Vegas native ranks in the 90th percentile or higher in aerials won, blocked shots, clearances, interceptions, shot attempts and touches in the attacking area per 90 minutes compared to fellow midfielders across the top nine competitions in the world, according to Opta stats.
A three-year NWSL veteran, Flint was the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft, the highest draft selection in Orlando Pride history. The University of Colorado legend is the program’s all-time leader in career assists and points while sitting second in career goals. She was an All-American, four-time all-Pac-12 selection and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, helping CU to three NCAA Tournament second-round appearances.
She spent the COVID-19-interrupted season on loan with MSV Duisburg in Germany before returning to debut for Orlando in 2021, tallying three goals and three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.
Flint scored her first NWSL goal in her debut – the April 10, 2021, NWSL Challenge Cup match against Racing at Lynn Family Stadium that was the first game in Louisville club history.
San Diego traded for Flint ahead of its inaugural season, immediately making her one of the foundational pieces in the club’s first lineup. She rang up four goals and four assists in all 2022 competitions and was twice named to the NWSL Team of the Month.
This past year, Flint scored twice in 21 appearances across all competitions while dealing with an injury. She also netted a goal in the U.S. win over New Zealand in a January friendly and made three appearances in the SheBelieves Cup.
Flint’s addition builds on an exciting offseason for Racing. The team hired the 35-year-old Yanez as its head coach and has added depth and talent across field positions: Defenders Ellie Jean and Arin Wright; midfielders Marisa (Viggiano) DiGrande and Yuuka Kurosaki; and forwards Elexa Bahr and Linda Motlhalo. Louisville selected forwards Emma Sears and Reilyn Turner in the NWSL Draft along with defender Sam Cary and goalkeeper Madison White.
All those additions come with Racing returning players responsible for nearly 80% of the team’s minutes played last year.
