By Caden Charpentier
Thirteen down, 13 to go. Under the guidance of new head coach Bev Yanez, Racing Louisville finds itself in eighth place — a playoff position – and just two points back of sixth halfway through the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season.
The Louisvillians are one of six teams with a positive goal differential, conceding 17 total goals, fewer than three teams in the league’s current top six. Racing’s first three months led by Yanez have been marked by substantial growth, with young talents flourishing and the team showing promising signs of development.
“We’re starting to understand the way that Bev wants us to play,” said Racing defender Lauren Milliet. “Obviously we’ve had an identity, but I think you start to see patterns and identity as you get further into the season. Now we’ve started to develop a real identity for this club — that’s really important for us going forward.”
Before Louisville jumps into the second half of the season with this weekend’s match in Seattle, we take some time to reflect on the opening months of Yanez’s tenure. Here are some of the performances and unforgettable moments that have defined our journey so far.
Savannah DeMelo’s stoppage time equalizer in Kansas City
Talk about magic. On May 18, in a raucous road environment, midfielder Savannah DeMelo wrote another chapter in her stellar Racing career. In what was one of league’s games of the season so far, Louisville battled from one goal down not once but twice to earn an improbable draw against one of the league’s best clubs. After conceding a would-be game-winner early in stoppage time, Racing pulled back level thanks to DeMelo scoring the second-latest goal in NWSL history. It is still just the second time KC has dropped points on home soil.
Emma Sears’s Goal of the Week at Chicago
Rookie forward Emma Sears has been a highlight waiting to happen every time the ball is at her feet. The Ohio State grad has tallied three goals and an assist in 13 appearances and six starts, but one goal stands above the rest.
A week after earning NWSL Goal of the Week honors for her shot-cross in Kansas City, Sears again claimed the recognition for a show-stopping game-winning strike at Chicago. The 23-year-old used both her patience and skill on the ball before firing a rocket into the far-left corner for one of the goals of the year.
Convincing triumph during Thunder Over Louisville
It was a display worthy of the occasion: Racing blasted Utah, 5-1, in front of a club-record crowd of 11,365 while the city’s boisterous annual air show that kicks off Kentucky Derby season played out in the sky. It was the first win under Yanez, setting a club record for goals scored and margin of victory in a single game.
Racing’s offensive prowess was on full display as the team netted four unanswered second half goals. Rookies Sears and Reilyn Turner scored their first professional goals, and both Marisa DiGrande and Carson Pickett registered their first assists in Louisville colors.
Elexa Bahr’s dream NWSL debut
The Colombian international Elexa Bahr delivered one special debut in lavender in March against the Orlando Pride. Bahr, who signed with Racing over the offseason, became the first player in eight years to register a goal and an assist in their NWSL debut.
Thirteen minutes into her NWSL career, the 26-year-old used a brilliant through ball from Turner to chip the goalkeeper at the edge of the box. Six minutes later, Bahr delivered a pinpoint, line-breaking pass into the feet of Uchenna Kanu, who slotted home the second for Racing that afternoon.
DeMelo’s unstoppable free kick vs. Washington on Amazon Prime
Using her unique flair and precision, DeMelo has turned free kicks in the final third into a real weapon for the Louisvillians. That continued when the midfielder smashed home a laser from 25 yards out against the Washington Spirit during the club’s Amazon Prime Video debut. The goal marked her third career free kick goal, making her the NWSL’s leader among current players and tied for the third-most free kick goals in league history.
Three of Racing’s stars earn NWSL Team of the Month honors
The league appreciated the excellence of multiple of Racing’s top talents through the NWSL Team of the Month honor, a set of 11 players voted on by the NWSL Media Association and the NWSL’s on-air broadcast talent. For the first time in club history, three different Racing players clinched a spot on an NWSL Team of the Month before July.
Newcomer Taylor Flint was recognized for her standout play to begin her time in lavender with a place on the March and April Best XI of the Month, presented by Prime. DeMelo and Pickett were named as two of the 11 in May as Louisville was one of five clubs with at least two players earning the recognition. It was Pickett’s seventh time being included in an NWSL Team of the Month, tied for the fifth most in league history.
