Racing Louisville FC wrapped up its seven-week preseason on Saturday with a closed-door scrimmage against the Chicago Red Stars at Purdue University.
In all, Racing played three preseason exhibitions against NWSL competition, between an early February match vs. Houston, The Women’s Cup Colombia final vs. Gotham and Chicago on Saturday. The Louisvillians also took on Colombian powerhouse América de Cali and a handful of academy and intrasquad scrimmages.
Now, as new head coach Bev Yanez said, “It’s finally here”: The 2024 season is set to kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday, when Racing hosts the Orlando Pride at Lynn Family Stadium. (Get your tickets now!)
As the schedule turns from preseason to season, here are three takeaways from Racing’s first seven weeks with Yanez at the helm:
1. A shift in approach
Under Yanez, Racing wants to possess the ball more and, as the coach puts it, “play more football.” That transition is well underway, and the team showed progress through the course of the preseason. In Saturday’s closed-door scrimmage vs. Chicago, the ball moved fluidly between the lines, especially in the second half. The addition of Taylor Flint, Marisa DiGrande, Arin Wright and Ellie Jean has particularly helped the group in possession.
Even with that possession-oriented style, there have still been moments when Racing’s wing talent and pace have put an exclamation point on free-flowing moves. Rookie forward Reilyn Turner (more on her in a moment) has stood out through preseason with her willingness to put pizzazz on the ends of possession. Colombian international Elexa Bahr also brings a bag of tricks to the pitch, with a desire to take on defenders and cut inside or get end line for crosses.
2. ‘A lot of things coming together’
Combinations are starting to form for Racing as the new additions jell with the returning players from last season. Carson Pickett, Savannah DeMelo and Elexa Bahr down the flank connected on a number of fluid moves, while DeMelo also pairs well with second-year midfielder Kayla Fischer when together. Flint has proven to be a dynamic connector of play for Racing while also winning balls and providing added physicality in the middle of the field. Don’t forget Maddie Pokorny, who a fan once joked plays like she was shot out of a cannon. Her impact off the bench and in a number of roles should help Racing once again this year. The return of Ary Borges, who will play in the Concacaf W Gold Cup final for Brazil, will be a big boost for Louisville, too. Fortunately the young Brazilian already has a year of experience with the club and knows many of her teammates well.
3. The Kids Are All Right
With the addition of NWSL experience to Racing’s squad, in theory there should be less pressure on the young newcomers to immediately impact the team’s bottom line. But don’t tell that to Reilyn Turner or Emma Sears, who have proved to be quality, physical additions to the squad with no fear of the step up in competition. Turner is dynamic on the ball and scored multiple goals in preseason matches against good competition. Sears is a physical presence who glides as she covers ground. She was a winger by trade in college, as was Turner, but they’ll learn a variety of roles this season as they compete for regular minutes.
