Match Haiku

Falling short again

Is not the entire story.

Savor the moment.

Bonus Quote from The Wire

“I think you need a lot of context to seriously examine anything.” - Gus Haynes

“But she gives it all that she's got?”

“(Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister” - The Stone Roses 1989

This match contained multitudes. Years down the line, a 1-1 draw on a gloomy summer night will lose all of its requisite meaning. In the singular point in time, the performance was everything.

Let’s start with the basics. Racing changed its formation. Playing in a back 3 from the start of a match for the first time that I can remember, Racing confused the Dash (and me) on the evening. It is one thing to enjoy a match knowing that you don’t have to write about it and another thing to make sure you are actually seeing what you’re seeing. Here is what I saw.

Racing deployed 3 center backs with Gacioch taking up the left role, Flint the center role, and Wright the right role. When Houston possessed the ball for longer periods, that back 3 turned into a back 5 with Morris and McMahon sitting deeper, which is the standard tactic for setting up in a 3-back system. Houston definitely wasn’t ready for this, and Morris was often the confounding factor by disguising her position quite well at times by never settling too much in one spot on the pitch. Her heat map showed her all over the left side of the pitch, but also defending directly in front of goal and attacking the Dash goal directly.

Racing also lined up with a front 2, but that look was also fluid when Racing was pressing because Milliet would often be the highest one pressing. Racing played in a 5-3-2 formation nominally, but never so rigidly that Houston was ever able to adjust. In many ways, and I will stand by this, the scoreline of this match was the least relevant part.

It may be Milliet’s performance that will stick with me the longest. She played no differently than she always plays, giving it her all. However, she was deployed more effectively than she has been all season. Her defensive duties ended up being located mostly to central areas, but her attacking threat seemed to pop up in the usual spots. Regardless of how Bev sets up in future matches, Lo needs to stay in the midfield. In this setup, it is her most effective spot.

In context, the point earned here doesn’t really mean anything. Sure 10 points is better than 8, but from now until the end of the season Racing is like Whose line is it Anyway? in that the points don’t matter. The performances matter and this one was one of my favorites. The players knew they had something up their sleeves for Houston and the Dash never got their bearings. It was a job well done by the coaches, and the players definitely bought in. Last season, this result would have stung. Right now, it seems like a revelation.

Post Match Moment of the Match

In her usual style, Kayla Fischer was pretty even keeled about the goal. She was plenty pleased about how the team set up and executed but disappointed in the result. She thought the formation suited them well. Wright, who finally got to talk about something other than a loss, was proud of the performance but frustrated with giving up a late goal again. Both Fischer and Wright lamented that Racing couldn’t convert more of the quality chances that the team created with the formation.

Bev was obviously disappointed that Racing didn’t get all three points, but also proud of the group. She talked about the new setup serving the purpose to “relieve the pressure” on the players to some degree and prevent them from overthinking about things. She also mentioned that she saw a spark in the players which I am sure we all did.

I also spoke to Bev off the record for a few minutes and she graciously confirmed for me some of the things I saw during the match. For those of you not as fortunate to get as much one-on-one time with Bev as I do, let me reiterate that she is always genuine and just radiates goodness. The 2–3-minute conversation I had with her after the cameras were off reiterated just how much of a special coach she is.

FREE EMMA SEARS!

Emma acquitted herself excellently once again and looked like the consummate professional. She made the Fischer goal and was heavily involved in the attack all night. I think she looks rejuvenated knowing that all eyes are on her. In my book this only increases her value and attractiveness for teams that are looking to make Racing an offer, this season or next. I have no doubt that if this was purely a footballing decision, a deal would get done quickly.

Soccer Holdings is having a rough season across the board. The new team in town, while a financial boon, outdraws their teams and won a championship in its first season. The stadium looks better on Fox for football than it ever does on any soccer broadcast. What we have heard from ownership this season that I recall is to beg for money and hold Emma hostage. Other than that, it has been silent on doing anything to improve either team. Do these owners even give a crap anymore? They definitely don’t seem interested in spending any money to solve any problems.

Thing I bought at ear X-tacy back in the day

Artist: The Boo Radleys

Album: Giant Steps

Year: 1993

Format: CD

Store Location: 1140 Bardstown Road

You know you’ve got a healthy amount of bravado when you name your album “Giant Steps”. Yes, it is an homage to John Coltrane’s jazz masterpiece. The Boo Radleys were part of the “shoegaze” movement in Great Brittain, but the definitive masterpiece of that genre (My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless) was never going to be eclipsed, so they shifted. Giant Steps almost has to be heard to be believed. Nothing else has ever sounded quite like it. I don’t know if it will sound as revelatory to modern ears, but the things they tried on it simply weren’t done in 1993. It’s a jarring, even confusing album, but one that begged for repeat listens from start to finish. Its release was squeezed between the grunge explosion and the Britpop response in England. It belongs to both and neither at the same time. It was a triumph of boldness and a conscious decision to change.

The Taylor Flint Honorary Yellow Card of the Match

A shift in Racing’s style also brought with it more yellow cards. Three old faithfuls perpetrators and a confused-looking Emma made up the bunch.

28th Minute-Reckless Offence - Kayla Fischer
72nd Minute-Reckless Offence - Emma Sears
81st Minute-Tactical Foul - Macey Hodge
97th Minute-Tactical Foul - Taylor Flint

Emma’s card seemed harsh, but the rest were right on the money. Flint has a knack for picking up stoppage time cards. She now has 5 yellow cards which I think means she misses the next match. I think she was literally less than a minute from having one removed from her total due to good behavior. That’s a very “Taylor Flint” thing to do.

The 2026 UFL Champion Louisville (Draft?) Kings Sports Betting Corner

With Racing at the other end of the table, and just about half the season over let’s turn our attention to the top of the table. There are six teams that I say have a real shot at the NWSL Shield. Here is how I would set the moneylines as of today:

Spirit: -110
Gotham -105
San Diego +150
Portland +175
Utah + 225
Kansas City +125

I think the top four are going to be Washington, Gotham, Kansas City and Portland. I think the Spirit and Gotham are the best bets for the Shield even if they wouldn’t pay as much.

“And she knows, she knows what this must mean”

Knowing that you have the ability to overcome adversity is just as important as actually overcoming it. Racing didn’t look like a team that believed in the previous few matches. Now they do. To be frank, the hole to dig out of to make the playoffs is too big. That doesn’t mean the season is lost. There isn’t going to be some big roster overall with the ownership group bringing in proven talent next season, so this group is going to have to figure out how to win with the players who are signed for 2027. The key pieces that will likely be here are:

Milliet
Morris
Jean
Petersen
Fischer
Hodge
McMahon
DiGrande
Gacioch (contingent on a mutual agreement)
Lardner
O’Kane
Bloomer
Flint
Weber
McKeen

That’s a decent list. Hase to me is a tossup on whether she wants to stay.

One glaring thing that occurred in the match that I haven’t commented on is the exclusion of Jean and Petersen from the lineup. Both were on the squad but neither played. I wouldn’t read too much into that yet but the fact that neither was subbed on could mean that Bev just thought there were better matchups for Racing if she left them on the bench. It remains to be seen if this formation carries forward, but when Racing starts a stretch of 3 matches in 7 days, I am sure we will see them. With Flint suspended (I think) I am sure we will see one, if not both, in Los Angeles. It did send a message to the team. Everyone is part of the plan, but you need to perform to earn your place.

I think the remainder of the season will be fascinating. There are all kinds of things that Racing can try, and I am encouraged that tactical flexibility is one of them. Let’s not forget that all of these players and Bev have tremendous reasons to give it their all for the remainder of the season. At some point, but we aren’t there yet, I will ask Bev about her feelings about staying around. Her contract expires at the end of the season. I can’t imagine Racing doing better than her. I can easily imagine her doing much better than Racing. I think the players and organization need to convince her to stay around to have a shot at any kind of relevance in the near-term future.

"But she gives it all that she's got"