In the third-ever matchup between Racing Louisville FC and the North Carolina Courage played Wednesday at Lynn Family Stadium, Courage forward Lynn Williams netted two first-half goals to put the visitors on top — but from there the lavender and white put forth a defensive stand.
Racing head coach Christy Holly drew many positives from the match considering the tactical adjustments and heavy squad rotation needed to keep the players fresh given the rigors of three games scheduled this week.
“We’re obviously a high-pressing team and we changed the whole system, and we had a day and a half to address that whole system and then we also changed (six) players from the starting eleven,” Holly said, “so when we combine that together it’s such a phenomenal return by the players.”
Only five players that started Sunday’s win over the Houston Dash opened on the field Wednesday as Racing’s Cheyna Matthews, Jorian Baucom and Sinclaire Miramontez each made their first club starts. Defender Addiysn Merrick also made her first appearance since dealing with a back injury, subbing on in the 80th minute.
“There’s no easy game in this NWSL, so it’s very important to us that we look at this week and try to manage it as economically as we possibly can,” Holly said. “There’s no way that players can play 90 minutes in every single game at the highest level of their performance, so we wanted to make sure that we give everybody the opportunity to perform while also protect them and ensure that they’re able to move forward and have a big impact in the game in Chicago this weekend.”
The Courage, which sit in third place in the NWSL, feature one of the strongest attacking sides in the league led by U.S. Women’s National Team players Williams and Sam Mewis and star Brazilian forward Debinha.
In the last meeting between the two teams, the Courage outscored Racing 5-0.
“Quite frankly, I’m very far from happy with the two goals we gave up — two incredibly soft goals — but they’re great learning moments for the players,” Holly said. “So they made it competitive, they made it something to be proud of, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Veteran goalkeeper Michelle Betos came up big with six saves, denying Williams the hat trick and earning a second half clean sheet.
“Obviously you got the old cliché game of two halves,” Holly said. “I thought first half we obviously went and took a different approach to the game, because we made so many changes, midweek we wanted to be efficient with the use of energy in the way we defended, and I thought – bar two very disappointing mistakes – I thought the girls were fantastic.
“I was really proud of them, to be able to contain a team like North Carolina after we made seven changes is something to be very proud of. And then they came out in the second half and started to try to embed themselves in the game and make a big impact, so, you know there’s growing pains as we go through all this, but quite honestly, with all the rotation and the changes, I’m very proud of the team.”
Plus the coach added: “We don’t celebrate losses, but we definitely celebrate growth and progress.”
Racing travels to Chicago for a Saturday face off against the Red Stars at 2 p.m. on Paramount+.
