Racing Louisville FC

Last updated
Racing Louisville FC
Racing Louisville FC logo.svg
Full nameRacing Louisville Football Club
FoundedOctober 22, 2019;3 years ago (2019-10-22)
Stadium Lynn Family Stadium
Louisville, Kentucky
Capacity15,304
OwnerSoccer Holdings, LLC
ChairmanJohn Neace
Head coach Kim Björkegren
League National Women's Soccer League
2022 9th of 12
Website Club website
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Racing Louisville Football Club is a National Women's Soccer League team based in Louisville, Kentucky. It began playing in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium. The team is owned by Soccer Holdings LLC, which also owns Louisville City FC of the USL Championship. [1] The expansion team was announced on October 22, 2019. [2]

Contents

History

Louisville was mentioned as a potential candidate for an expansion team in National Women's Soccer League as early as 2018, shortly after construction began on their soccer-specific venue, Lynn Family Stadium. [3] The ownership group of USL Championship club Louisville City FC began preliminary discussions with the league the following year, with plans to enter in the 2020 season. [4] [5] Louisville's NWSL expansion team was officially announced on October 22, 2019, sharing its ownership group with Louisville City FC. It would begin play in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium. [6]

In November 2019, NWSL filed a trademark application for "Proof Louisville FC", which was confirmed by Louisville City FC as their preliminary name for the team. The name references the local bourbon whiskey industry by using the term "proof", a measure of alcohol content. [7] The ownership group later announced in April 2020 that they would explore other names with community input after a mixed reception from fans. [1] [8] The club's new name, Racing Louisville FC, was officially unveiled on July 8, 2020. [9] PNC Bank was announced as the club's first kit sponsor on July 1, 2020, with the company's logo appearing on the back of the team's jerseys. [10] On December 17, 2020, Louisville City announced that GE Appliances, which had already been that club's primary shirt sponsor (i.e., on the front of the kit), would expand this sponsorship to include all clubs under the Louisville City umbrella, including Racing. [11]

Former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly was named as Racing Louisville FC's first head coach on August 12, 2020. [12] The club made their NWSL debut in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, where they finished at the bottom of the East Division with two losses and two draws. [13] Racing Louisville FC made their home debut on May 15, 2021, playing to a scoreless draw against Kansas City NWSL. [14]

Holly was fired for cause on August 31, 2021, and the club named Mario Sanchez, head of the club's youth academy and former collegiate coach, as the interim head coach. [15] After the season, veteran Swedish manager Kim Björkegren was named as the permanent replacement. [16] In 2022, a report from US Soccer revealed that Holly had allegedly sexually abused players as coach of Racing. [17]

Club identity

Racing Louisville FC is named in reference to the city's horse racing venues, including the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, using the "Racing" moniker used by foreign clubs. [1] The club's circular crest uses a lavender background and a four-pointed fleur-de-lis at its center in violet. It was designed by Matthew Wolff, who had previously worked with Major League Soccer teams New York City FC and Los Angeles FC. [18]

Stadium and facilities

The club shares Lynn Family Stadium and its training facilities with Louisville City FC. The soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2020, has a seated capacity of 11,600, with standing-room capacity up to 15,304. [19] The 20-acre (8.1 ha) training facilities at Louisville Champions Park includes several practice fields and an indoor gymnasium and office complex. [20]

Players and staff

Current squad

As of November 15, 2022. [21]
No.Pos.PlayerNation
1 GK Katie Lund Flag of the United States.svg  United States
2 FW Lauren Milliet Flag of the United States.svg  United States
6 MF Jaelin Howell Flag of the United States.svg  United States
7 MF Savannah DeMelo Flag of the United States.svg  United States
8 MF Ary Borges Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
10 FW Nadia Nadim Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
11 DF Emily Fox Flag of the United States.svg  United States
12 DF Taylor Malham Flag of the United States.svg  United States
15 DF Julia Lester Flag of the United States.svg  United States
16 FW Thembi Kgatlana Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
21 FW Parker Goins Flag of the United States.svg  United States
22 FW Kirsten Davis Flag of the United States.svg  United States
25 DF Rebecca Holloway Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland
30 DF Zaneta Wyne Flag of the United States.svg  United States
31 GK Kelsey Daugherty Flag of the United States.svg  United States
44 DF Satara Murray Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
77 MF Wang Shuang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
— MF Elli Pikkujämsä Flag of Finland.svg  Finland
— FW Paige Monaghan Flag of the United States.svg  United States

Out on loan

As of November 15, 2022. [22]
No.Pos.PlayerNation
13 FW Emina Ekic (at Melbourne City until February 2023)Flag of the United States.svg  United States
14 FW Jessica McDonald (at Western United until January 2023)Flag of the United States.svg  United States
18 GK Hillary Beall (at Western United until April 2023)Flag of the United States.svg  United States
24 GK Jordyn Bloomer (at Western Sydney Wanderers until April 2023)Flag of the United States.svg  United States
27 MF Alex Chidiac (at Melbourne Victory until February 2023)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

Staff

As of November 23, 2022 [23]
Technical
Head coachFlag of Sweden.svg Kim Björkegren
Assistant coachUlster Banner.svg Gary Curneen
Assistant coachFlag of the United States.svg Beverly Goebel Yanez
Goalkeepers coachFlag of the United States.svg Sergio Gonzalez
Assistant coachFlag of the United States.svg Kiley Polk
Support
Head athletic trainerMegan Fernandez
Head equipment managerAlyssa Delsanter

Head coaches

Record

Year-by-year

SeasonLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffs Challenge Cup Avg. Attendance
PWDLGFGAPtsPos
2022 NWSL 225892335239thDid not qualify—6,048

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NJ/NY Gotham FC</span> Football club

NJ/NY Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue, the team was known as Sky Blue FC from 2008 until 2020. A founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013, Sky Blue FC also played in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Women's Soccer League</span> Professional soccer league, highest level of womens soccer in the United States

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. It is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

The expansion of the National Women's Soccer League began with the league's sophomore season in 2014, when the league expanded to a ninth team in Houston, and is an ongoing process that currently has seen five expansions, three direct or indirect relocations, and one contraction. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was established as the top level of professional women's soccer in the United States in 2013 in the wake of the Women's United Soccer Association and Women's Professional Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisville City FC</span> American professional soccer team

Louisville City Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky. The team plays in the USL Championship, known through the 2018 season as the United Soccer League (USL), which is currently the second tier of the American soccer pyramid.

Christy Holly is a Northern Irish former footballer and coach. From August 12, 2020 to August 31, 2021, he was the head coach of Racing Louisville in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). He previously coached NWSL club Sky Blue FC and at Georgian Court University. Holly reached a settlement before leaving Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Family Stadium</span> Soccer-specific stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Lynn Family Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in the Butchertown neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. The field is home to Louisville City FC of the USL Championship (USLC) since its opening in 2020, along with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Racing Louisville FC. With a capacity of 11,700, the design allows expansion up to 15,304 spectators. Breaking ground in 2018, naming-rights were acquired by local business leader Mark Lynn shortly after.

Cecelia Anne "Cece" Kizer is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or a midfielder for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Katie Marie McClure is an American professional soccer player who most recently played as a forward for Angel City of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

The 2021 National Women's Soccer League season was the ninth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it is the 15th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Orlando Pride season</span> Orlando Pride 2021 football season

The 2021 Orlando Pride season was Orlando Pride's sixth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2021 NJ/NY Gotham FC season is the team's twelfth season as a professional women's soccer team and their ninth season as a member of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. It is the first season following the club's change of name from Sky Blue FC, which it played under from 2007 to 2020.

Emina Ekic is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Melbourne City of the A-League Women on loan from Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played college soccer for the Louisville Cardinals.

The 2021 Racing Louisville FC season was the club's first season of play. Racing Louisville competed in the National Women's Soccer League, the top flight of professional women's soccer in the United States.

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season was the tenth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams competed in the league, including two expansion teams, San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC.

Throughout the 2021 National Women's Soccer League season, allegations of abuse surfaced in multiple teams across the National Women's Soccer League in the United States. As a result, five out of the 10 teams then in the league had head coaches resign or be fired, with league commissioner Lisa Baird also resigning due to the scandal.

The 2022 Racing Louisville FC season is the club's second season of play. Racing Louisville competes in the National Women's Soccer League, the top flight of professional women's soccer in the United States.

The 2022 Houston Dash season is the team's ninth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League.

The 2022 Kansas City Current season is the team's second season as a professional women's soccer team. The Current plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. The team was previously known as Kansas City NWSL.

Sh'Nia Demetrice Gordon is an American professional soccer player who plays as a Forward for French club Le Havre of the Division 1 Féminine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Creditor, Avi (July 8, 2020). "NWSL Expansion Team to Be Called Racing Louisville FC". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  2. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League announces expansion to Louisville in 2021" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 22, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  3. ↑ Morris, Neal (August 23, 2018). "NWSL expansion could see teams added in USL cities". WRALSportsFan. WRAL . Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  4. ↑ Lerner, Danielle (August 14, 2019). "NWSL looking at Louisville as a candidate for women's pro soccer expansion". The Courier-Journal . p. B1. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  5. ↑ Linehan, Megan; Rueter, Jeff (August 13, 2019). "Sources: Louisville is the leading candidate for 2020 NWSL expansion" . The Athletic . Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  6. ↑ Sullivan, Tim (October 23, 2019). "Louisville is getting a National Women's Soccer League franchise. Here's what to know". The Courier-Journal. p. A1. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ Sullivan, Tim (November 12, 2019). "Louisville's NWSL expansion team has a name, and it's a nod to Kentucky's favorite spirit". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  8. ↑ Gardner, Hayes (April 21, 2020). "Proof Louisville FC — the city's NWSL team — may get a new name". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  9. ↑ Aulbach, Lucas (July 8, 2020). "Meet Racing Louisville FC: New NWSL team announces name and colors ahead of 2021 debut". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  10. ↑ Finley, Marty (July 1, 2020). "Louisville women's soccer franchise lands first major corporate sponsor". Louisville Business First . Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  11. ↑ "GE Appliances Extends LouCity Agreement, Expands Support for Soccer" (Press release). Louisville City FC. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  12. ↑ Aulbach, Lucas; Yates, Dominique (August 12, 2020). "Christy Holly will lead Racing Louisville FC, the city's new NWSL franchise, in 2021". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Racing Louisville FC ends Challenge Cup with 0-0 tie at Gotham FC". WDRB. May 2, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  14. ↑ Saxon, Jonathan (May 15, 2021). "Racing Louisville, Kansas City fight to 0-0 draw in season opener". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  15. ↑ Garnder, Hayes (August 31, 2021). "Racing Louisville FC fires first head coach Christy Holly 'for cause'". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Racing Louisville FC Hires Björkegren as Head Coach" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  17. ↑ "NWSL investigations explained".
  18. ↑ Finley, Marty (July 8, 2020). "Louisville's new women's pro soccer team unveils name, logo" . Louisville Business First. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  19. ↑ "NWSL coming to Louisville in 2021" (Press release). Louisville City FC. October 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Soccer Holdings releases plans for new training facility" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. June 10, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  21. ↑ "2022 Racing Louisville FC Roster". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Racing announces initial offseason roster moves".
  23. ↑ "Technical Staff". www.racingloufc.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.