2024 Racing Louisville FC season

Racing Louisville FC
2024 season
General managerRyan Dell (until Nov 26)
ManagerBev Yanez
StadiumLynn Family Stadium
(capacity: 11,700)
League9th
NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer CupGroup stage
PlayoffsDNQ
Top goalscorerLeague: Savannah DeMelo,
Uchenna Kanu,
Emma Sears (5)
All: Emma Sears (6)
Highest home attendance11,365
Lowest home attendance2,137
Average home league attendance6,223
Biggest win5–1
(Apr 20 vs. UTA)
Biggest defeat1–4
(Oct 13 at WAS)
← 2023
2025 →
All statistics correct as of November 3, 2024.
Week 16 starting lineup:
Erceg, Flint, Lund, Turner, Howell
Pickett, DeMelo, Milliet, A. Wright, DiGrande, Fischer

The 2024 Racing Louisville FC season was the team's fourth as a top-tier professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League.

The club finished the 2024 National Women's Soccer League season in ninth place and failed to qualify for the NWSL playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. It also finishied second in Group E during the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup and failed to advance to the mid-season tournament's knockout stages.[1]

Background

See also: 2023 Racing Louisville FC season

Hirings

After Racing Louisville announced head coach Kim Björkegren would not return for the 2024 season,[2] the club hired former NWSL standout player Bev Yanez as its new coach.[3] The 35-year-old spent the 2023 season as Racing's assistant coach after two years in the same role at NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Yanez added former UANL Tigres coach and Canada Women's National Football Team star Carmelina Moscato to her staff as assistant coach.[4] Former men's collegiate coach Mitch Sowerby was also hired as an assistant coach.[5]

Offseason transactions

See also: § Transactions

Kit changes

As part of the NWSL's new collaboration with Nike, Racing Louisville announced two new kits for the 2024 season and beyond.[6] The primary kit has an argyle pattern "inspired by traditional jockey silks." The secondary kit is a midnight violet gradient.

Stadium and facilities

Racing Louisville plays its home games at Lynn Family Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium it shares with brother club Louisville City FC.[7] The team trains at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center about two miles away from the stadium.[8]

Broadcasting

In November 2023, the NWSL announced its largest media rights deal in league history, worth a reported $240 million.[9] The new broadcast agreement includes ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports. The NWSL also announced its new in-house streaming service, NWSL+.[10]

For its local broadcast rights, Racing renewed its deal with WAVE, the NBC affiliate in Louisville.[11] The club also started a new radio broadcast deal with iHeartMedia in Louisville, with games primarily carried by Sports Talk 790AM and News Talk 1080 AM.[12]

Technical staff

As of November 26, 2024
Position Staff
General manager Ryan Dell[a]
Head coach Bev Yanez
Assistant coach Carmelina Moscato
Assistant coach Mitchell Sowerby
Goalkeepers coach Sergio Gonzalez
Performance coach Julie Twaddle
Video analyst Charlie Tuley
  1. ^ Dell served as the club's general manager through the 2024 season until Dell and Racing Louisville FC mutually ended his tenure on November 26, 2024.[13]

Players

As of November 3, 2024
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Katie Lund  United States
2 DF Lauren Milliet  United States
3 DF Arin Wright  United States
4 DF Elli Pikkujämsä  Finland
5 DF Ellie Jean  United States
7 MF Savannah DeMelo  United States
8 MF Ary Borges  Brazil
9 MF Kayla Fischer  United States
10 FW Linda Motlhalo  South Africa
11 DF Courtney Petersen  United States
13 FW Emma Sears  United States
14 MF Marisa DiGrande  United States
15 DF Ángela Barón  Colombia
16 FW Janine Beckie  Canada
17 DF Maddie Pokorny  United States
18 FW Milly Clegg  New Zealand
19 MF Jordan Baggett  United States
20 DF Abby Erceg  New Zealand
21 FW Parker Goins  United States
22 FW Kirsten Wright  United States
23 FW Elexa Bahr  United States
24 GK Jordyn Bloomer  United States
26 MF Taylor Flint  United States
29 FW Uchenna Kanu  Nigeria
88 FW Bethany Balcer  United States
Players rostered during the season and loaned out
No. Pos. Player Nation Destination
99 GK Olivia Sekany  United States Brisbane Roar FC
77 GK Madison White  United States Dallas Trinity FC
Former players rostered during part of the season
No. Pos. Player Nation
6 MF Jaelin Howell  United States
11 MF Yuuka Kurosaki  Japan
16 DF Carson Pickett  United States
66 FW Reilyn Turner  United States

Transactions

2024 NWSL Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the roster.

Round Pick Player Position College Status
1 6 Reilyn Turner FW UCLA Signed[14]
2 28 Emma Sears FW Ohio State Signed
3 48 Sam Cary DF Iowa
4 54 Madison White GK Texas Tech Signed

Transfers in

Date Player Position Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
Dec. 18, 2023 Ellie Jean DF NJ/NY Gotham FC Trade via Bay FC [15]
Dec. 21, 2023 Marisa DiGrande MF Houston Dash Free agent [16]
Jan. 4, 2024 Yuuka Kurosaki MF KuPS Out of contract [17]
Jan. 12, 2024 Arin Wright DF Chicago Red Stars Trade [18]
Jan. 17, 2024 Linda Motlhalo FW Glasgow City F.C. Transfer [19]
Jan. 18, 2024 Elexa Bahr FW América de Cali Transfer [20]
Jan. 22, 2024 Taylor Flint MF San Diego Wave FC Trade for $150,000 in NWSL allocation money [21]
Jan. 22, 2024 Milly Clegg FW Western Sydney Wanderers FC Out of contract [22]
Aug. 19, 2024 Bethany Balcer FW Seattle Reign FC Trade for Jaelin Howell [23]
Aug. 21, 2024 Janine Beckie FW Portland Thorns FC Trade for Reilyn Turner [24]

Transfers out

Date Player Position Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
Nov. 9, 2023 Emina Ekic FW Melbourne City FC Out of contract [25]
Dec. 15, 2023 Paige Monaghan FW Utah Royals 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft [26]
Dec. 20, 2023 Thembi Kgatlana FW Tigres UANL $275,000 transfer fee [27][28]
Dec. 31, 2023 Alex Chidiac MF Melbourne Victory FC Out of contract [29]
Dec. 31, 2023 Taylor Aylmer MF Out of contract [29]
Dec. 31, 2023 Nadia Nadim FW AC Milan Out of contract [29]
Dec. 31, 2023 Rebecca Holloway DF Birmingham City W.F.C. Out of contract [29]
Dec. 31, 2023 Jessica McDonald FW Out of contract [29]
Jan. 8, 2024 Hillary Beall GK San Diego Wave FC Trade [30]
Jan. 24, 2024 Julia Lester DF Seattle Reign FC Trade [31]
Aug. 15, 2024 Yuuka Kurosaki MF DC Power FC Transfer; undisclosed fee [32]
Aug. 16, 2024 Carson Pickett DF Orlando Pride Trade for $75,000 in NWSL allocation money [33]
Aug. 19, 2024 Jaelin Howell MF Seattle Reign FC Trade for $50,000 in NWSL allocation money and Bethany Balcer [34]
Aug. 21, 2024 Reilyn Turner FW Portland Thorns FC Trade for Janine Beckie [35]

Competitions

NWSL standings

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando Pride (C, S) 26 18 6 2 46 20 +26 60 NWSL Shield, playoffs
2 Washington Spirit 26 18 2 6 51 28 +23 56 Playoffs
3 NJ/NY Gotham FC 26 17 5 4 41 20 +21 56
4 Kansas City Current 26 16 7 3 57 31 +26 55
5 North Carolina Courage 26 12 3 11 34 28 +6 39
6 Portland Thorns FC 26 10 4 12 37 35 +2 34
7 Bay FC 26 11 1 14 31 41 −10 34
8 Chicago Red Stars 26 10 2 14 31 38 −7 32
9 Racing Louisville FC 26 7 7 12 33 39 −6 28
10 San Diego Wave FC 26 6 7 13 24 35 −11 25
11 Utah Royals 26 7 4 15 22 40 −18 25
12 Angel City FC 26 7 6 13 29 42 −13 24[a]
13 Seattle Reign FC 26 6 5 15 27 44 −17 23
14 Houston Dash 26 5 5 16 20 42 −22 20
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions; (S) NWSL Shield
Notes:
  1. ^ Angel City FC were deducted three points for breaching spending cap rules.[36]

Regular season

Main article: 2024 National Women's Soccer League season
March 16, 2024 (2024-03-16) 1 Racing Louisville FC 2–2 Orlando Pride Louisville, Kentucky
4:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,123
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
March 23, 2024 (2024-03-23) 2 Houston Dash 0–0 Racing Louisville FC Houston, Texas
8:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 8,600
Referee: Brandon Stevis
March 30, 2024 (2024-03-30) 3 Portland Thorns FC 2–2 Racing Louisville FC Portland, Oregon
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,688
Referee: Gerald Flores
April 13, 2024 (2024-04-13) 4 Racing Louisville FC 0–0 San Diego Wave Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,818
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
April 20, 2024 (2024-04-20) 5 Racing Louisville FC 5–1 Utah Royals Louisville, Kentucky
5:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 11,365
Referee: Joshua Encarnacion
April 28, 2024 (2024-04-28) 6 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–1 Racing Louisville FC Harrison, New Jersey
5:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 6,015
Referee: Calin Radosav
May 5, 2024 (2024-05-05) 7 Orlando Pride 1–0 Racing Louisville FC Orlando, Florida
6:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium
Attendance: 6,837
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
May 10, 2024 (2024-05-10) 8 Racing Louisville FC 1–2 Washington Spirit Louisville, Kentucky
8:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,222
Referee: Shawn Tehini
May 18, 2024 (2024-05-18) 9 Kansas City Current 3–3 Racing Louisville FC Kansas City, Missouri
9:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: CPKC Stadium
Attendance: 11,500
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
May 25, 2024 (2024-05-25) 10 Chicago Red Stars 0–1 Racing Louisville FC Bridgeview, Illinois
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 3,872
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
June 7, 2024 (2024-06-07) 11 Racing Louisville FC 2–0 Houston Dash Louisville, Kentucky
8:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,061
Referee: Katja Koroleva
June 15, 2024 (2024-06-15) 12 Racing Louisville FC 0–2 NJ/NY Gotham FC Louisville, Kentucky
1:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,412
Referee: Danielle Chesky
June 19, 2024 (2024-06-19) 13 Angel City FC 3–2 Racing Louisville FC Los Angeles, CA
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: BMO Stadium
Attendance: 16,735
Referee: Lorenzo Hernandez
June 23, 2024 (2024-06-23) 14 Seattle Reign FC 1–1 Racing Louisville FC Seattle, Washington
6:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 10,715
Referee: Mathew Corrigan
June 29, 2024 (2024-06-29) 15 Racing Louisville FC 0–1 Bay FC Louisville, Kentucky
4:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 8,096
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
July 7, 2024 (2024-07-07) 16 North Carolina Courage 3–1 Racing Louisville FC Cary, North Carolina
4:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 4,738
Referee: Anya Voigt
August 24, 2024 (2024-08-24) 17 Racing Louisville FC 3–1 Chicago Red Stars Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,607
Referee: Shawn Tehini
August 31, 2024 (2024-08-31) 18 Racing Louisville FC 2–3 Seattle Reign FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5.011
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
September 7, 2024 (2024-09-07) 19 Bay FC 1–0 Racing Louisville FC San Jose, California
7:00 PM PDT
Report Stadium: PayPal Park
Attendance: 11,478
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
September 14, 2024 (2024-09-14) 20 Racing Louisville FC 2–1 Angel City FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,493
Referee: Danielle Chesky
September 21, 2024 (2024-09-21) 21 Racing Louisville FC 2–1 North Carolina Courage Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 4,853
Referee: Adorae Monroy
September 28, 2024 (2024-09-28) 22 Utah Royals 1–0 Racing Louisville FC Sandy, Utah
7:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 9,002
Referee: Alexandra Billeter
October 5, 2024 (2024-10-05) 23 Racing Louisville FC 0–2 Kansas City Current Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,013
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
October 13, 2024 (2024-10-13) 24 Washington Spirit 1–4 Racing Louisville FC Washington, D.C.
5:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
October 19, 2024 (2024-10-19) 25 Racing Louisville FC 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Louisville, Kentucky
7:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,905
Referee: Calin Radosav
November 3, 2024 (2024-11-03) 26 Racing Louisville FC 1–3 San Diego Wave FC Louisville, Kentucky
5:30 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 2,137
Referee: Greg Dopka
Note: Relocated from San Diego on November 1 due to poor field conditions at Snapdragon Stadium.[37][38]

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

Main article: 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
July 20, 2024 (2024-07-20) Racing Louisville FC United States 3–1 Mexico Monterrey Louisville, United States
8:00 p.m.
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 4,362
Referee: Alex Billeter
July 26, 2024 (2024-07-26) Racing Louisville FC United States 1–1
(4–5 p)		 United States North Carolina Courage Louisville, United States
8:00 p.m.
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Penalties
August 1 Orlando Pride United States 1–1
(3–4 p)		 United States Racing Louisville FC Orlando, Florida
7:00 pm Report Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium

References

  1. ^ Shaw, Michael (November 9, 2024). "Racing Louisville FC: Fourth Quarter Season Review". State of Louisville. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Linehan, Meg; Rueter, Jeff (October 26, 2023). "Bjorkegren out at Racing Louisville: Sources". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Racing Louisville FC names Beverly Goebel Yanez, former assistant for club, new head coach". The Courier-Journal. November 30, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Gutierrez, Jackie. "Racing Louisville FC Welcomes Carmelina Moscato As Assistant Coach". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  5. ^ "Racing names Sowerby as new assistant coach". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  6. ^ "Nike unveils new 2024 Racing kits". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  7. ^ "Lynn Family Stadium". Louisville City FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  8. ^ "Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  9. ^ "Women's soccer just won a 40x raise as the NWSL signs a $240 million TV deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon and Scripps". Fortune. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  10. ^ Staff, S. V. G. (2024-01-26). "NWSL Unveils Broadcast Schedule, Makes New NWSL+ Streaming Service Free to Fans for Upcoming 2024 Season". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  11. ^ "Racing, WAVE renew local broadcast partnership, add streaming option". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  12. ^ "Racing, iHeart Media announce landmark radio broadcast partnership". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  13. ^ Greever, Tyler (November 26, 2024). "Racing Louisville FC, General Manager Ryan Dell mutually agree to part ways". wdrb.com. WDRB-TV. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  14. ^ "Racing signs top draft pick Turner to first pro deal". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  15. ^ "Racing acquires defender Ellie Jean in trade". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  16. ^ "Racing signs veteran midfielder Viggiano to free agent deal". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  17. ^ "Racing signs former UK standout Yuuka Kurosaki". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  18. ^ "Racing completes trade for Kentucky legend Arin Wright". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  19. ^ "Racing signs South African star Motlhalo". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  20. ^ "Colombian forward Elexa Bahr signs with Racing". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  21. ^ "Racing lands USWNT midfielder Taylor Flint in trade". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  22. ^ "Racing signs teen New Zealand international Clegg". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  23. ^ "Seattle Reign FC Acquires Midfielder Jaelin Howell and Allocation Money in Trade with Racing Louisville FC" (Press release). Seattle Reign FC. August 19, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  24. ^ "Racing adds gold medalist, NWSL champion Beckie" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "Ekic departs Racing, signs with Australian club". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  26. ^ "Racing loses Monaghan in NWSL Expansion Draft". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  27. ^ Gutierrez, Jackie (December 20, 2023). "Thembi Kgatlana To Tigres Marks Second-Highest Transfer Fee In NWSL". Forbes. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  28. ^ "Kgatlana departs for Mexican club in record transfer deal". Racing Louisville FC (Press release). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Racing announces initial offseason roster update" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. November 20, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  30. ^ "Racing acquires 2025 draft pick in Beall trade" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. January 8, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  31. ^ "Racing acquires allocation money in Lester trade" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. January 24, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  32. ^ "DC Power Football Club Acquire Yuuka Kurosaki from Racing Louisville FC for an undisclosed fee" (Press release). DC Power Football Club. August 15, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  33. ^ "Defender Carson Pickett returns to Orlando Pride following trade with Racing Louisville" (Press release). Orlando Pride. August 16, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  34. ^ "Seattle Reign FC Acquires Midfielder Jaelin Howell and Allocation Money in Trade with Racing Louisville FC" (Press release). Seattle Reign FC. August 19, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  35. ^ "Racing adds gold medalist, NWSL champion Beckie" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Angel City docked 3 points, fined for salary cap violation". October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Wave season finale moved over field safety fears". ESPN.com. 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  38. ^ Emerick, Tyler (2024-11-01). "Statement on Match Relocation Due to Snapdragon Stadium Field Conditions". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved 2024-11-02.