NWSL Racing Louisville FC

Racing Shows Belief in Shorthanded Loss at Orlando

Published on May 5, 2024 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release


Racing Louisville takes on the Orlando Pride
Racing Louisville takes on the Orlando Pride
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: NWSL)

ORLANDO, Fla. - Barbra Banda's 17th-minute goal stood as the difference in a 1-0 Orlando Pride win over shorthanded Racing Louisville at Inter&Co Stadium on a warm Sunday evening in central Florida.

It was Racing's first loss of the season after a club-best six-game unbeaten run to open the campaign, and it was also the first time this season Racing trailed in a match. The home team in the Louisville-Orlando all-time series has not lost yet in nine meetings between the teams.

Racing coach Bev Yanez left the game encouraged by her team's effort and performance, particularly on the defensive end against one of the league's most incisive attacking groups.

"There were moments of absolute brilliance today from the group," Yanez said, "We continue to show that we are a top-level team, and we believe that. We massively believe that we're a playoff team, and we'll continue to show that we are a playoff team. The effort's always controllable for me, and I think the group is constantly looking eager, constantly wanting to grow in the right direction. They showcase that every single game. It's only a matter of time before it continues to click and clicks in a massive direction for us."

Racing (1-1-5, 8 points) remained in the NWSL playoff picture after the loss, holding onto eighth place in the 14-team league. The Louisvillians will break from their four road games in five weeks with a quick return home for Friday's 8 p.m. showdown with third-place Washington, a match that will be nationally broadcast on Prime Video.

The Louisvillians leave Orlando having produced a solid performance despite missing starting midfielders Ary Borges and Savannah DeMelo. They played nearly even on expected goals and final third entries while carrying the majority of possession. Most of the best scoring chances for Racing came in the first half, with Uchenna Kanu missing high on two shots and Kayla Fischer forcing a diving save from Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.

The chance of the game came in the 82nd minute, when a ball over the top of Orlando's defense landed in Elexa Bahr's path. The forward held off a defender before trying a toe-poke underneath Moorhouse, who rushed off her line and did just enough to parry the close-range opportunity.

"That's a tough one," said defender Lauren Milliet. "I thought we had some good opportunities. I thought we limited a really dynamic attack. Obviously, they have really great quality, so I think we actually were keeping it quite well, possessing it, but I just think it's that final piece."

Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC at Orlando Pride

Date: May 5, 2024

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET

Weather: 84 degrees, partly cloudy

Scoring

Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)

Orlando Pride (1, 0, 1)

Goals

Orlando Pride

17' Barbra Banda

Lineups

Racing Louisville FC (4-2-3-1): 1 - Katie Lund; 2 - Lauren Milliet, 3 - Arin Wright, 20 - Abby Erceg (c), 16 - Carson Pickett; 14 - Marisa DiGrande, 26 - Taylor Flint; 13 - Emma Sears (85' 21 - Parker Goins), 9 - Kayla Fischer, 29 - Uchenna Kanu (58' 66 - Reilyn Turner); 23 - Elexa Bahr (85' 17 - Maddie Pokorny)

Subs not used: 24 - Jordyn Bloomer; 5 - Ellie Jean, 6 - Jaelin Howell, 10 - Linda Motlhalo, 19 - Jordan Baggett

Head Coach: Bev Yanez

Orlando Pride (4-4-2): 1 - Anna Moorhouse; 6 - Emily Sams, 3 - Kylie Strom (c), 4 - Rafaelle, 25 - Kerry Abello (46' 31 - Cori Dyke); 20 - Julie Doyle (59' 16 - Morgan Gautrat), 2 - Haley McCutcheon, 30 - Ally Lemos (87'12 - Carrie Lawrence), 28 - Summer Yates (46' 9 - Adriana); 11 - Ally Watt (59' 29 - Amanda Allen), 22 - Barbra Banda

Subs not used: 40 - McKinley Crone; 7 - Marianna Laroquette, 13 - Celia Jimenez, 32 - Brianna Martinez

Head Coach: Seb Hines

Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Orlando Pride

Shots: 9 / 14

Shots on Goal: 3 / 5

Expected goals: 0.81 / 0.87

Possession: 53.2% / 46.8%

Fouls: 11 / 10

Offside: 2 / 0

Corners: 5 / 4

Discipline Summary

Racing Louisville

39' Kayla Fischer (yellow)

Orlando Pride

26' Kerry Abello (yellow)

90'+3 Morgan Gautrat (yellow)

Match referee: Alyssa Nichols

Assistant referees: Ricardo Ocampo, Nicholas Seymour

Fourth official: Alejo Calume

Video Assistant Referee: Greg Dopka

Assistant VAR: Maggie Short

Check out the Racing Louisville FC Statistics

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Racing Louisville takes on the Orlando Pride
Racing Louisville takes on the Orlando Pride
(NWSL)		   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 5, 2024


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