Racing Falls 1-0 to the Dash in a Defensive Battle
September 15, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC fell to the Houston Dash, 1-0, Friday night at Lynn Family Stadium to begin the final stretch of the 2023 NWSL regular season.
The match - primarily characterized by long spells of defending by both sides - was ultimately decided by Dash forward Diana Ordóñez's header over Racing keeper Katie Lund in the 54th minute, assisted by Maria Sanchez.
Racing's biggest scoring chances came from an effort by midfielder Savannah DeMelo in the 11th minute that went wide past Houston keeper Jane Campbell's outstretched gloves before being whistled offside, and defender Abby Erceg chipped a ball in the 78th minute to release Carson Pickett on goal with Pickett's shot blocked by a Houston defender.
"Overall I'm disappointed, disappointed with the result and also I think we can do better - even if I think we created enough chances to score maybe one or two goals," said head coach Kim Björkegren. "We talked about how nine points will probably be enough to make the playoffs, and with three games left we can still do it. Right now, I'm just disappointed because I think we had a great chance to do something better today but we didn't."
Louisville's Maddie Pokorny made her first start for Racing at left back, for the first hour of play until Pickett returned to the pitch for her first appearance since August 19, where she was subbed off at half against Angel City FC.
Friday's game was evenly matched on the stat sheet as well, with the Dash registering 19 shots and 5 on goal to Racing's 17 shots with 6 on goal. Both Houston's Campbell and Louisville's Lund accounted for four saves on the evening.
"We have to win every single game, especially for this playoff push. We need all the points we can. It's so tight. Dropping points like that, that's a massive loss for us," said Erceg. "We know we're a better team, we just didn't turn up. It's really, really disappointing."
Racing remains in contention for a club-first NWSL playoff berth. With each team having at least three games left to play, no club can clinch or be eliminated this weekend.
"We still have three more games to go and I think it's going to be very important for us to take one game at a time," said forward Thembi Kgatlana. "We're so close - other teams are playing over the weekend, and we can't depend on other teams. We can depend on our own performance and that's what we can control over the next three games."
Following the international break, Louisville will return to action Saturday, September 30 on the road against the Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium.
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash
Date: Sept. 15, 2023
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny and breezy
Scoring
Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)
Houston Dash (0, 1, 1)
Goals
Houston:
54' Diana Ordóñez (Maria Sanchez)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 - Katie Lund; 17 - Maddie Pokorny (62' 16 - Carson Pickett), 20 - Abby Erceg (c), 15 - Julia Lester, 2 - Lauren Milliet; 4 - Elli Pikkujämsä, 7 - Savannah DeMelo, 8 - Ary Borges; 22 - Kirsten Davis (62' 5 - Paige Monaghan), 10 - Nadia Nadim (79' 21 - Parker Goins), 11 - Thembi Kgatlana (89' 13 - Emina Ekic)
Subs not used: 18 - Hillary Beall, 99 - Olivia Sekany, 3 - Zaneta Wyne, 9 - Kayla Fischer, 26 - Taylor Aylmer
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
Houston Dash (4-2-3-1): 1 - Jane Campbell; 25 - Kate Lind, 4 - Natalie Jacobs, 13 - Sophie Schmidt (c); 7 - Maria Sanchez (81' 5 - Courtney Petersen), 17 - Sarah Puntigam, 14 - Marissa Viggiano (67' 30 - Sophie Hirst), 77 - Andressa Alves (69' 15 - Barbara Olivieri), 8 - Nichelle Prince (67' 29 - Joelle Anderson), 3 - Caprice Dydasco, 11 - Diana Ordóñez
Subs not used: 0 - Emily Alvarado, 23 - Ally Prisock, 31 - Madelyn Desiano, 37 - Jyllissa Harris, 39 - Cameron Tucker
Head Coach: Sarah Lowdon
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Houston Dash
Shots: 17 / 19
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Expected goals: 1.43 / 1.21
Possession: 52.7% / 47.3%
Fouls: 12 / 15
Offside: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Discipline Summary
Houston Dash:
2' Marissa Viggiano (yellow)
51' Maria Sanchez (yellow)
83' Sarah Puntigam
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
VAR: Emma Richards
Images from this story
Racing Louisville FC on game night |
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 15, 2023
- Racing Falls 1-0 to the Dash in a Defensive Battle - Racing Louisville FC
- Houston Dash Aim to Bridge Playoff Gap Before FIFA International Window - Houston Dash
- Houston Dash Name Sarah Lowdon Interim Head Coach - Houston Dash
- Houston Dash Snap Winless Streak with 1-0 Victory Over Racing Louisville FC - Houston Dash
- Kansas City Current Returns to Regular Season Play to Face League-Leading San Diego Wave - Kansas City Current
- Riley Tanner Called up to Panama National Team for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup - Washington Spirit
- Spirit Hits the Road in Search of Three Points against NJ/NY Gotham FC - Washington Spirit
- Chicago Red Stars Midfielder Jill Aguilera Called up to Puerto Rican Women's National Team - Chicago Stars FC
- Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo FC Return to League Play - Houston Dash
- NJ/NY Gotham FC Face Washington Spirit in a Battle for Playoffs - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Week 19: NWSL Pitch Notes - NWSL
- OL Reign Exercises Option on Forward Jordyn Huitema's Contract - Seattle Reign FC
- Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas City Current - San Diego Wave FC
- Timbers, Thorns FC Team up with Oregon Humane Society for Six Remaining Matches at Providence Park in 2023 - Portland Thorns FC
- Kyra Carusa Named to Republic of Ireland Women's National Team Roster Ahead of UEFA Women's National League Matches - San Diego Wave FC
- Marissa Sheva Called up to Ireland National Team for UEFA Women's Nations League Play - Washington Spirit
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.
Other Recent Racing Louisville FC Stories
- Racing Louisville Announces End-Of-Season Roster Update
- Racing Louisville, GM Ryan Dell Part Ways
- Racing Forward Sears Earns Second Straight USWNT Call-Up
- Racing's 2024 Season Ends with a Loss to San Diego Wave FC
- Preview: Racing Readies for Decisive Finale against San Diego