Racing 2 Colo-Colo 0 Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy Elizabeth Shaw
Racing wrapped up their Women's Cup tournament with a victory for 3rd place over Chilean squad Colo-Colo. Rotation was the name of the game, and some but definitely not all of Racing’s mainstays got a bit of a break.
I know it’s beginning to sound like a broken record, but once again Racing appeared to be short on players. Abby Erceg missed her chance to get any rest because the central defender ranks have just been too thin all season. Elli Pikkujämsä’s injury was a disaster for roster balance, and only now do Racing seem to be on the verge of filling her gap. League rules play a part in the delay, but those of us wondering why Racing were signing so many midfielders at the beginning of the season have to feel a little vindicated. If Racing goes into next season with a similar roster imbalance, I think we seriously need to question some of management’s roster-building decisions. Maddie Pokorny once again showed what a squad player should be. She has been a solid signing from the get-go. As a “winger” she demonstrates the utility that usually allows a team to sign more specialized players, like center back and center forward. Pokorny is the type of player that should buy you and additional roster spot, but Racing still has too many players who don’t add enough value. Pickett was nowhere to be seen yesterday, so do what you will with that information. If she were available, you would have to think that Erceg would have gotten the day off.
It’s been a while since I have thought about the NWSL table, and I honestly don’t even think about it much until it gets to this point of the season anyway. While the Red Stars haven’t really convinced me that they are a lock for the playoffs, the 6 teams above them appear to be. Bay sits in 8th, with 4 other teams including Racing certainly capable of catching them. Making the playoffs is still a reachable goal, but my observations and general probability lead me to believe that Racing will be on the outside looking in when the season ends. It isn’t impossible for this team to go on a run of good results, but it would be fully out of character. There will almost certainly be roster changes by the time the summer transfer window closes, but I don’t expect any marquee arrivals (departures are another story). Long story short, Racing has the time, but I am not sure if they have the fight/energy/roster/karma/will to make a playoff push. I don’t personally feel any excitement or energy surrounding the club, so I think another hilariously redundant 9th place finish might be in order.
I wouldn’t blame too many players if they were ready to move on from the Racing experiment. I think a backline rebuild is probably at the top of the to-do list, so this transfer window might be the beginning of that. Erceg isn’t signed past 2024, and Pickett has rarely been effectively deployed to demonstrate her full ability. Wright has been decent, but not who she once was even a few seasons ago. Ellie Jean seems full capable of giving solid 90s every time out, so I expect that she is willing to give it another year. Milliet is signed through 2026, but you can’t tell me that her effectiveness, durability and work rate hasn’t caught the eye of another foreign or domestic club. Pikkujämsä has a 2025 option, but her fitness will likely be a deciding factor in whether she returns. The back line has been pretty good for Racing this season, especially compared to the first two season, but honestly it has been a stopgap solution. Maybe all of the players stick around for another year, but the planning for the future is surely starting now.
