Racing Louisville FC is an amateur women's soccer team that plays in the USL W League. It is affiliated and shares ownership with the eponymous professional team Racing Louisville FC, which competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
| Full name | Racing Louisville Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | January 18, 2022 | ||
| Stadium | Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center Louisville, Kentucky | ||
| Owner | Soccer Holdings, LLC | ||
| Chairman | John Neace | ||
| Head coach | Callie McKinney | ||
| League | USL W League | ||
| 2023 | 2nd of 8 Valley Division | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History edit
In January 2022, NWSL club Racing Louisville FC added an amateur team to compete in the newly formed USL W League,[1] becoming the first NWSL club to do so. This followed the club's academy opening in 2020 and completed its developmental pathway from youth soccer to top-division professional play.[2] The club hired an all-female technical staff to lead the team, with Kincaid Schmidt as its inaugural head coach and former NWSL player Libby Stout as assistant coach.[3]
In the 2023 USL W League season, Racing finished in a tie on points for first place in the Valley division with eventual national championship finalists Indy Eleven with a greater goal differential, but second due to the first tiebreaker being head-to-head record and did not advance to the conference playoffs. The team's only loss and draw on its 8–1–1 season record were against Indy.[4][5]
Stadium edit
Racing Louisville FC has played its USL W League matches at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center,[6] which also serves as the parent club's training facility,[7] since its inception.[1]
Players edit
Most of Racing's W League squad are drawn from colleges and Racing's youth academy.[8] The professional Racing Louisville club has signed players from its W League club, including Isabella Beletic[9] and Allison Whitfield[10] in 2022. Racing Academy and W League player Ella Sanchez was a non-roster invitee to the professional team's 2023 preseason.[11] Racing's Emily Madril was one of 19 W League players to sign a professional contract, with Orlando Pride, after the league's inaugural season.[12]
Staff edit
- As of June 6, 2023.[8]
| Technical | |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Callie McKinney
|
| Assistant coach | Libby Stout
|
Coaching history edit
Year-by-year edit
- As of July 1, 2023.[14]
| Season | League | Division | Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts. | Pos. | ||||
| USL W | Great Lakes | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 15 | +11 | 21 | 3rd | Did not qualify | |
| Valley | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 4 | +38 | 25 | 2nd[a] | Did not qualify | ||
- ^ Tied for first on points with Indy Eleven, but lost the first tiebreaker on head-to-head record.
References edit
- ^ a b Gardner, Hayes (January 18, 2022). "Racing Louisville soccer adds 'pre-professional' USL W League squad to compete this year". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Hruby, Emma (January 18, 2022). "Racing Louisville first NWSL team to expand into USL W League". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Schmidt to lead Racing's all-female USL W League staff" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. January 25, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ "Racing's W League team draws Indy in a top-of-the-division clash" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. June 2, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
- ^ "Racing's W League team suffers first defeat of the season to Indy Eleven" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
- ^ "Schedule". USL W League. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ "Training Facility". Lou City/Racing Academy. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Racing names McKinney as new USL W League coach" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. February 28, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Hayward, Len (July 7, 2022). "Carroll grad Isabella Beletic signs short-term contract with Racing Louisville FC". Corpus Christi Caller Times. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Former Manual, UofL teammates reunited at Racing Louisville FC". WLKY. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Lane, Tom (May 12, 2023). "Racing Louisville academy star, Ballard senior Ella Sanchez will soon decide if to turn pro or play in college". WDRB. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Yang, Steph (January 26, 2023). "Lower-division women's soccer eyes international investment, raised standards". The Athletic. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Racing sets inaugural USL W League roster with season nearing" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. May 4, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Standings". USL W League. Retrieved July 14, 2023.