By Jeff Greer
Naturally, Emina Ekic’s highlight-reel goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars stole the show, but the final 25 minutes of the match also furthered an emerging big-picture storyline for Racing Louisville FC.
This year’s team, with 10 newcomers and several more on the way, is a deep, versatile group with plenty of players who can change a game as substitutes.
That’s exactly what happened last time out at Lynn Family Stadium.
“When we changed and brought in three players, that gave the team a lot of energy,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said. “In the end of the game, we controlled. We had the momentum. We were close to winning the game.”
Ekic was one of those substitutions against Chicago, coming on with central midfielder Savannah DeMelo and Ebony Salmon in the 66th minute with Racing trailing, 1-0.
They have all started in other matches, and they are part of a larger group that, in any given team selection process, challenges Björkegren into tough starting lineup decisions. The coach has multiple strong options at just about every position.
Racing has run out a different starting lineup in each of its five matches. Sixteen players have at least one start, with three more making appearances off the bench. Two recent international signings — fullback Rebecca Holloway and midfielder Alex Chidiac — are expected to immediately challenge for starting spots, too, upon their respective arrivals in Louisville.
On Saturday, Björkegren said Ekic had played well enough in training and previous matches to start against Chicago. The team already started pressuring the Red Stars more through the first 20 minutes of the second half – thanks in large part, Björkegren said, to the increased activity of Racing’s central midfielders. But the dynamic young trio of subs added some much-needed zest to the effort.
Piecing together impactful depth is a process. The promise shown through five NWSL Challenge Cup matches ahead of the regular season gives Björkegren optimism about his team. And to Ekic, it’s a product of the team’s strong foundation built on the group’s chemistry.
“The camaraderie is really there,” Ekic said. “We play with each other. We play for each other. We work for each other. We fill in for each other. We interchange. We swap roles. We help each other out, whether it’s communicating or helping someone out stepping in their role. That’s really helped us.
“We’re a strong unit together.”
