Racing Louisville FC’s USL W League squad kicked off its inaugural summer campaign on Thursday night, playing Detroit City FC to a 0-0 draw at Keyworth Stadium while dominating the run of play.
The debut match marked the beginning of a key piece in the Racing Louisville development program, connecting the club’s first team — which plays in the top-tier National Women’s Soccer League — to its sprawling youth academy that features teams from the U-15 to U-19 age groups.
Racing’s W League roster is also comprised of current, former and prospective collegiate athletes. They’ll get the chance not only to play competitive summer soccer but also work with the professional squad, offering Racing’s staff the chance to evaluate the game’s next generation.
Fans in Louisville will get their first chance to see the W League squad in a return game against Detroit City set for 1 p.m. Sunday. All home games are open to the public and free to attend at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center.
“Right away, (club president) James O’Connor laid out that the objectives are first and foremost to identify players for the first team,” said Racing’s W League head coach, Kincaid Schmidt, who also serves as the junior academy director. “(Racing goalkeepers coach) Serge Gonzalez was really passionate about helping us get the best players possible playing here this summer. He was a key part in connecting with his network of college coaches to identify, evaluate and place players on our roster for the summer.
“Having the endorsement of the first team and the players we have is critical and a special part of what we offer here.”
This summer’s W League squad is rich with talent, and Schmidt, along with assistant Libby Stout, will coach the team to the preferred playing style of the club – possession-based, pressing, up-tempo attacking soccer.
The team will be led by two Florida State stars: center back Emily Madril, a decorated fifth-year senior who is a two-time All-American, and Clara Robbins, a box-to-box midfielder who was second in scoring on the Seminoles’ national title-winning squad. Both have been projected as first-round NWSL Draft picks, with Madril receiving buzz as the potential No. 1 selection.
Schmidt also mentioned fullback Tessa Dellarose as a player to watch. The Class of 2022 prospect was considered one of the top high school players in the country and signed with the University of North Carolina, where she’ll enroll after the W League season. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy product has already received extensive youth national team experience, camping with the U-16s and U-20s
Several standouts from the University of Louisville are also in the team, including English fullback Anouk Denton, who came through the West Ham and Arsenal academies and has experience in the FA Women’s Super League in England’s top tier. U of L captains and center backs Sarah Hernandez and Maisie Whitsett are also on the squad, plus Allison Whitfield, a former Manual High and U of L teammate of current Racing player Emina Ekic.
It’ll help that multiple players on the roster are teenaged members of the Racing academy, giving Schmidt at least a few selection options with a deep understanding of the club’s playing style and philosophy. Academy standout Ella Sanchez, who regularly trains with Racing’s first team, should be a factor in the midfield.
A full look at the roster, schedule and more information on the W League — the nation’s premier pre-professional women’s soccer circuit — are available at RacingLouFC.com/WLeague.
