Racing Louisville made National Women’s Soccer League history in a 0-0 season-opening draw on Sunday at Houston, starting a lineup that featured a player from six different continents.
The Louisvillians started five newcomers and produced a solid performance in the Lone Star State, shutting out the Dash, a playoff team last season, at Shell Energy Stadium. Goalkeeper Katie Lund made seven saves in her seventh career shutout.
“Overall, it was a close game,” Racing coach Kim Björkegren said, “and a fair result, even if you always want to win. It’s a decent start with one point away in Houston.”
Defender Carson Pickett, one of the five new Racing players who started, called her team’s effort “something we can really build on.”
That Racing posted a clean sheet with a reconfigured defensive back line stood out. Team captain Jaelin Howell, a key figure as a holding midfielder in front of Louisville’s defense, missed the game because of a tweaked hamstring. Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä started in Howell’s position, and Rebecca Holloway slotted into Pikkujämsä’s usual spot as a central defender next to Abby Erceg.
Björkegren said Erceg was “our best player on the pitch” playing in front of Lund.
“I just feel so comfortable with those four (defenders) that it makes my job easier,” Lund said. “They worked their tails off. (Houston) had a bit of speed up top tonight, but they worked their absolute tails off to not let anyone get past them, blocking shots, getting lined up when we needed to. I’m really pleased and happy with the back line’s performance tonight.”
Louisville outshot Houston, 17-15, and both teams had a number of good chances.
Racing nearly took the lead on several occasions in the first half. Savannah DeMelo’s well-struck shot in the 12th minute required a leaping save from Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who made five stops in the game. New signing Uchenna Kanu, who just joined the team last week, narrowly missed from the edge of the area in the 15th minute and again almost scored midway through the second half on a half-volley from 16 yards out.
In the 32nd minute, Racing’s best chance of the night fell to Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges, who one-timed a right-footed shot wide after Pickett’s pass from the end line slipped past multiple defenders to find Borges open six yards from goal.
Veteran winger Jess McDonald, the league’s all-time leader in assists, forced Campbell to make a fantastic save in the 48th minute when she tried to curl in a one-time effort from the edge of the box.
“I think we are really good in attack,” Björkegren said. “We had three or four really good chances. We have many players who can shoot from distance. We have many different styles of play. I hope we’re going to be fun to watch for supporters.”
Lund matched Campbell’s saves with a few highlight-reel stops of her own. The Texas native made a reaction save on Houston forward Diana Ordoñez’s diving header in the 69th minute and followed that up with another good save off the rebound.
Racing now turns its attention to the home opener, a 3 p.m. Saturday kickoff against the Washington Spirit at Lynn Family Stadium.
Tap-ins: Racing Louisville defender Abby Erceg surpassed the 13,000 career minutes mark on Sunday night, becoming the ninth player in NWSL history to do so. … Erceg was one of seven players to make their debuts for Racing, along with Ary Borges, Kayla Fischer Uchenna Kanu, Paige Monaghan, Carson Pickett and Elli Pikkujämsä.
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC at Houston Dash
Date: March 26, 2023
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: 77 degrees, partly cloudy
Player of the Match: Katie Lund
Scoring
Racing Louisville (0, 0, 0)
Houston Dash (0, 0, 0)
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC (4-3-3): 1 – Katie Lund; 16 – Carson Pickett, 20 – Abby Erceg (c), 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 2 – Lauren Milliet; 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä (79’ 3 – Zaneta Wyne), 7 – Savannah DeMelo, 8 – Ary Borges (73’ 9 – Kayla Fischer); 14 – Jess McDonald (58’ 5 – Paige Monaghan), 29 – Uchenna Kanu (79’ 22 – Kirsten Davis), 77 – Wang Shuang (73’ 27 – Alex Chidiac)
Subs not used: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 21 – Parker Goins, 44 – Satara Murray
Head Coach: Kim Björkegren
Houston Dash (4-2-3-1): 1 – Jane Campbell; 5 – Courtney Petersen (46’ 2 – Allysha Chapman), 23 – Aly Prisock, 30 – Natalie Jacobs, 3 – Caprice Dydasco; 13 – Sophie Schmidt (c), 15 – Marisa Viggiano (90’+5 17 – Kelcie Hedge); 21 – Ryan Gareis (61’ 39 – Cameron Tucker), 29 – Joelle Anderson (75’ 6 – Havana Solaun), 9 – Ebony Salmon (61’ 7 – Maria Sanchez); 11 – Diana Ordoñez
Subs not used: 35 – Savannah Madden; 22 – Michelle Alozie, 31 – Madelyn Desiano, 37 – Jyllissa Harris
Head Coach: Sam Laity
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville / Houston Dash
Shots: 17 / 15
Shots on Goal: 5 / 7
Expected goals: 1.19 / 1.34
Possession: 46% / 54%
Fouls: 6 / 15
Offside: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 9 / 4
Discipline Summary
Racing Louisville:
62’ Ary Borges (yellow)
70’ Rebecca Holloway (yellow)
Houston Dash:
15’ Joelle Anderson (yellow)
55’ Natalie Jacons (yellow)
58’ Sophie Schmidt (yellow)
63’ Marisa Viggiano (yellow)
Referee: Danielle Chesky
VAR: Lorant Varga
