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NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Racing Moves Atop Challenge Cup Group with Win at Chicago

May 31, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Uchenna Kanu scored her first goal in a Racing Louisville jersey and Parker Goins added an insurance goal in the second half to push Racing past the hosting Chicago Red Stars, 2-0, at SeatGeek Stadium in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup on Wednesday night.

The win moved Racing into sole possession of first place in the Challenge Cup's Central Division group standings through two matches in the competition.

"It's really important for us," Racing coach Kim Björkegren said. "We really want to play in the semifinals (of the Challenge Cup). We felt that two important games were the Kansas City home and the game away in Chicago, and now we are in a good situation. We have everything in our own hands."

Already confident from a 3-0 win over Chicago two weeks ago, Racing (2-0-0, 6 points) spent much of Wednesday's game on the front foot, taking 17 shots and making 62 final-third entries.

Elli Pikkujämsä narrowly missed two chances in a crowd in front of goal in the first half-hour, and Kanu had a point-blank opportunity blocked inside the 6-yard box.

In the 44th minute, Racing broke through, with Jaelin Howell playing Paige Monaghan into transition. Monaghan carried to the edge of the area and rolled a pass into Kanu's path, and the Nigerian international smacked in a one-timer.

"I'm super excited and happy to have gotten my first goal," Kanu said. "Good job from Jaelin and Paige for making the amazing run. The counterattack was really good. I was just in the right spot, got the pass from Paige and I was able to finish it. I was super excited, and I'm looking forward to more goals to come."

Racing threatened several times in the second half, with Thembi Kgatlana causing problems with her creativity and pace down the left flank after coming on at halftime. She fizzed a curling shot just past the far post in the 66th minute.

Five minutes later, Goins scored a brilliant goal to put the game away, with a flick-on header from the edge of the area off a Savannah DeMelo free kick. It was Goins's second goal against Chicago this year.

"I know (DeMelo) has a really good service," Goins said, "so I just knew to make a run in between the defenders. It came right to me. I knew I just needed to get it on frame and flicked it in. Honestly, I thought I hit it over (the bar), so I wasn't paying attention and I turned around. I saw it went in, and I was just super excited."

Racing now turns its attention back to NWSL regular-season action, with a 7 p.m. Saturday tilt at Washington.

Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC at Chicago Red Stars

Date: May 12, 2023

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy

Player of the Match: Uchenna Kanu

Scoring

Racing Louisville (1, 1, 2)

Chicago Red Stars (0, 0, 0)

Goals

Racing Louisville

44' Uchenna Kanu (Paige Monaghan)

71' Parker Goins (Savannah DeMelo)

Lineups

Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 - Katie Lund; 25 - Rebecca Holloway, 20 - Abby Erceg, 4 - Elli Pikkujämsä, 2 - Lauren Milliet; 6 - Jaelin Howell (c) (46' 16 - Carson Pickett), 8 - Ary Borges (63' 7 - Savannah DeMelo), 19 - Jordan Baggett; 5 - Paige Monaghan (46' 11 - Thembi Kgatlana), 29 - Uchenna Kanu (63' 21 - Parker Goins), 27 - Alex Chidiac (88' 9 - Kayla Fischer)

Subs not used: 99 - Olivia Sekany; 3 - Zaneta Wyne, 44 - Satara Murray, 77 - Wang Shuang

Head Coach: Kim Björkegren

Chicago Red Stars (3-4-3): Alyssa Naeher (c); 31 - Amanada Kowalski (46' 22 - Bianca St-Georges), 12 - Tierna Davidson (74' 28 - Kayla Sharples), 23 - Tatumn Milazzo; 32 - Taylor Malham, 2 - Sam Fisher, 4 - Cari Roccaro, 16 - Sophie Jones (46' 5 - Julia Bianchi); 14 - Jill Aguilera, 24 - Jenna Bike (60' 20 - Cheyna Matthews), 8 - Ella Stevens (60' 25 - Ava Cook)

Subs not used: 21 - Emily Boyd; 7 - Yuki Nagasato, 13 - Addie McCain, 18 - Sandra Starke

Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Chicago Red Stars

Shots: 17 / 7

Shots on Goal: 4 / 1

Expected goals: 2.06 / 0.31

Possession: 55.7% / 44.3%

Fouls: 15 / 11

Offside: 2 / 0

Corner Kicks: 4 / 1

Discipline Summary

Racing Louisville:

32' Rebecca Holloway (yellow)

62' Uchenna Kanu (yellow)

Chicago Red Stars

70' Cari Roccaro (yellow)

78' Bianca St-Georges (yellow)

Referee: Laura Rodriguez

VAR: John Freemon

Check out the Racing Louisville FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 31, 2023


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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