Racing Falls in Houston But Still Clinches Spot in Challenge Cup Semifinals

July 30, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release

Racing Louisville FC battle the Houston Dash
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: Kyle Smith/NWSL)

Racing's first appearance in an NWSL knockout stage of any kind will take place on Sept. 6, with Louisville's seed, opponent, match location and kickoff time to be determined by next weekend's final Challenge Cup group stage matches. The final is set for Sept. 9.

"It is great for our club to be in a cup playoff like this for the first time," said Racing coach Kim Björkegren. "It shows how far the club has advanced in the last year, and it's well-deserved after winning four of five in the group stage. But our work isn't done yet: We want to win our group and host a semifinal at home in front of our great fans."

Washington's win over NJ/NY Gotham on Friday night followed by Angel City's win over Portland late Saturday shored up Racing's place in the semifinals. Louisville mathematically cannot finish lower than fourth in the overall Challenge Cup points standings - the best second-place team - but can also still win its group and potentially earn home-field advantage at Lynn Family Stadium in the competition's knockout stage.

Racing (4-1-0, 12 points) will play at Kansas City at 8 p.m. ET Saturday to determine the winner of their group, the Central Division, with Racing only needing a draw to clinch first place. KC, which is two points behind Racing in the table, needs a win.

Björkegren's squad set the pace to start the Challenge Cup group stage, matching a competition record by winning its first four games. And Racing felt like Saturday's game in Houston was an unlucky result.

Louisville dominated possession and generated 15 shots, 69 final-third entries, 31 touches in the opposition box and 12 corners while forcing seven saves from Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who was the player of the match for the Dash. It was the first time in the group stage that Björkegren's squad didn't score.

"We created chances," Björkegren said. "We had a lot of situations inside the box, many corners. I'm really proud of the team, even if we lost the game. You're never happy with the result if you lose, but they kept fighting and they worked hard the whole game and they believed in themselves. It was just one of those days. ... I think we deserved a (draw), maybe more."

After a spell of serious pressure in the game's opening minutes, Racing came close to taking the lead in the sixth minute, with Kirsten Davis finding herself unmarked just eight yards from goal, but the forward couldn't direct her header past Campbell.

Two excellent saves from Racing goalkeeper Katie Lund kept the game scoreless 25 minutes in, but Houston's Ebony Salmon scored what ultimately stood as the game-winning goal in the 26th minute.

Parker Goins narrowly missed two opportunities to equalize, first in first-half stoppage time and again in the 75th minute. Jaelin Howell's header in traffic off a corner required a goal-line save from Campbell in the 47th minute, and Lauren Milliet had a goal ruled out in the 65th minute for being a step offside in the buildup.

The best chance came in the 88th minute, when substitute Nadia Nadim corralled a Houston turnover, cut back to her right foot and rifled a curling shot from 15 yards out that Campbell just nudged around the post.

"Obviously disappointing - we really wanted to come in and make a statement and secure a spot in the semifinals (to host) at home," Racing midfielder Jordan Baggett said. "But I'm happy with the opportunities we were able to create. ... We're going to grow off that, learn from it and be hungry next week to put those chances in the back of the net."

Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

Date: July 29, 2023

Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Weather: 94 degrees, partly cloudy

Scoring

Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)

Houston Dash (1, 0, 1)

Goals

Houston Dash

26' Ebony Salmon (Ryan Gareis)

Lineups

Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 - Katie Lund; 16 - Carson Pickett, 4 - Elli Pikkujämsä, 15 - Julia Lester, 2 - Lauren Milliet; 6 - Jaelin Howell (c), 9 - Kayla Fischer (86' 26 - Taylor Aylmer), 19 - Jordan Baggett; 5 - Paige Monaghan (86' 13 - Emina Ekic), 22 - Kirsten Davis (61' 10 - Nadia Nadim), 21 - Parker Goins (77' 17 - Maddie Pokorny)

Subs not used: 99 - Olivia Sekany; 3 - Zaneta Wyne, 12 - Ella Shamburger, 25 - Rebecca Holloway, 31 - Riley Parker

Head Coach: Kim Björkegren

Houston Dash (3-4-3): 1 - Jane Campbell (c); 5 - Courtney Petersen (68' 36 - Lindsi Jennings), 23 - Ally Prisock, 25 - Katie Lind; 3 - Caprice Dydasco, 4 - Natalie Jacobs (46' 17 - Sarah Puntigam), 14 - Marisa Viggiano (82' 37 - Jyllissa Harris), 7 - Maria Sanchez; 9 - Ebony Salmon, 21 - Ryan Gareis (46' 29 - Joelle Anderson), 39 - Cameron Tucker (68' 11 - Diana Ordoñez)

Subs not used: 35 - Savannah Madden; 15 - Barbara Olivieri, 48 - Susanna Friedrichs, 55 - Hope Breslin

Head coach: Sam Laity

Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Chicago Red Stars

Shots: 15 / 10

Shots on Goal: 7 / 4

Expected goals: 1.17 / 0.67

Possession: 57.9% / 42.1%

Fouls: 8 / 15

Offside: 3 / 1

Corners: 12 / 5

Discipline Summary

Racing Louisville:

60' Carson Pickett (yellow)

Houston Dash:

44' Katie Lind (yellow)

90'+5 Jane Campbell (yellow)

Referee: Gerald Flores

VAR: Shawn Tehini

Racing Louisville FC battle the Houston Dash (Kyle Smith/NWSL)

National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 30, 2023

• Racing Falls in Houston But Still Clinches Spot in Challenge Cup Semifinals - Racing Louisville FC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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