By Caden Charpentier
Second-year head coach Bev Yanez and a motivated Racing Louisville FC side embark on a new season Saturday toward a goal of qualifying for the NWSL playoffs for the first time.
Racing Louisville narrowly missed the postseason last year when finishing in ninth place, just three points outside of qualifying. However, Racing returned most of its roster, retaining players who accounted for roughly 75% of the team’s total minutes and goal contributions in 2024. Louisville also deepened its squad by signing multiple former collegiate stars to their first professional contracts.
The 2025 campaign kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday when Racing hosts the North Carolina Courage at Lynn Family Stadium. Visit RacingLouFC.com/opener for tickets and more information.
Below, we offer five keys to the upcoming season.
Sears’ encore in Louisville
Coming off an excellent career at Ohio State, Emma Sears made a name for herself as an NWSL rookie. The 24-year-old forward showcased exceptional talent during 1,482 minutes on the wing, with her performances even catching the attention of the U.S Women’s National Team by the end of the season.
Sears set a club rookie record for goals (5) and ranked second among the team in total goal involvements (6). She also finished her first pro season amid the league’s top-15 in shot creating actions per 90 (4.01), successful dribbles (34) and progressive carries (81). The ceiling for what Sears can do as a sophomore is immeasurable, especially given how right at home she has looked at the senior international level.
Since her first national team call-up in October, the Ohio native has amassed a goal and an assist across four caps – both of which came on her debut versus Iceland.
Sears, who predominantly provides an attacking threat down the right flank, is slated to be one of Racing’s main catalysts up top once again. With the “rookie” moniker now a thing of the past, the forward looks to continue to make even more strides as one of the NWSL’s most impactful wide threats.
The Balcer-Sonis duo
During last summer’s transfer window, Louisville made multiple impactful acquisitions. Two of those moved brought in experienced, offensively-driven players in Bethany Balcer and Janine Sonis (née Beckie). Upon introduction, the duo made an immediate impact. Balcer and Sonis managed to contribute to a combined six goals despite appearing in just 10 matches apiece.
Balcer, who arrived from Seattle via an August trade, ranks third in NWSL league goals scored since 2021 (30). Only Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Washington Spirit’s Ashley Hatch have amassed more. A Canadian international, Sonis was brought in a few days later by way of a trade with Portland. The 30-year-old is a decorated forward at both the international and club levels, having earned an Olympic gold medal and won four English cups during her time with Manchester City.
The duo’s experience was invaluable in late game moments. Balcer delivered the winning penalty for Racing’s first-ever victory against North Carolina last September, while Sonis secured three points with her match winner against Angel City just a week prior. Given limited opportunities, the two still finished in the club’s top five in shots per 90 minutes, adding another layer of activity in the final third.
Fresh from their first full preseason in lavender, these league veterans are set to elevate their game, using last season’s strong performances as a springboard for even greater production in the upcoming campaign.
Rookies add new squad depth
Despite this offseason being the first without a college draft, Louisville assembled a promising contingent of rookies. Each has the capacity to make an instant impact on the club’s on-field success.
Products of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Ella Hase (Duke) and Louisville’s own Allie George (Virginia Tech) bolstered Racing’s defense, which saw former captain Abby Erceg leave the club after two seasons.
Hase, an attack-minded outside back, was a force for the Blue Devils last season as her 13 assists ranked second in the country. Hase not only acts as another creative threat out wide, but she can also flex into different positions.
The 21-year-old Louisville native George is already familiar with the club, having been a part of Racing’s pre-professional USL W League team each of the past three summers. Unlike Hase, George spent most of her time on the right side of a backline in 2024, showcasing her ability to contribute offensively by scoring four goals for the Hokies.
In the attacking areas, Racing brought in the likes of former Utah midfielder Katie O’Kane and three-time All-Big Ten forward Sarah Weber out of Nebraska. Weber consistently provided goal-scoring production for the Cornhuskers over four seasons, achieving double-digit goal totals in her last three campaigns. O’Kane also proved to be a dangerous attacking asset while in college, tallying 11 goal involvements across just 19 games in 2024.
Louisville’s rookie class addresses multiple positions and features ready-made contributors to a team that was right on the cusp of making club history last year. These additions will be vital, especially when competing in the NWSL, one of the world’s most competitive women’s soccer leagues.
Flint’s standout season
Even though Taylor Flint did not finish as an end-of-season award winner, it was undeniable: No. 26 in lavender was one of the best midfielders in the NWSL last year. She made a statement in the middle of the park while finishing among the four Racing players to record at least 2,000 minutes played.
The 26-year-old, who moved to Louisville prior to the 2024 campaign, flourished in a new defensive midfielder role under Yanez. She was an opposition neutralizer, doing the necessary defensive work all while linking up play between the lines with her standout disruption.
The Nevada native was a rock within Racing’s engine room, leading the league in tackles and interceptions won (173) and successful aerial duels (94). She also ranked third in total blocks (46) and fourth in passes into the final third (103). The versatile midfielder may have found a home going forward — as one of the two sixes within a defensive double pivot.
Flint, who fit perfectly into Yanez’s system from the jump, is the tempo controller within Racing’s midfield. Her presence and well-rounded repertoire allow for the creativity of others to shine. While Flint did hit a goals-per-90 minutes career low in 2024, her play as a midfield anchor was key and will remain so heading into the new season.
Improving form away from home
Six of Racing’s seven league wins last year came at Lynn Family Stadium. One – a May victory at Chicago – occurred away from home turf. Ahead of a campaign featuring playoffs aspirations, it is critical for Louisville to take a step forward on the road.
Although three points away from home were hard to come by, signs of taking that step were still present last season.
Louisville did prove to be a difficult road team to beat at the beginning of 2024. Racing went unbeaten in five of its first six road games – two of which were clean sheets. Some of Racing’s most memorable results last year also came away: a come-from-behind draw featuring six goals in Kansas City and a 1-1 draw at Seattle, where Louisville equalized in second half stoppage time.
Building off last season’s road resilience early on, Racing will aim to turn those hard-fought draws into valuable points – a necessary step toward a playoffs spot.
