Racing v Angel City Preview
“My mind is elsewhere” was Emina’s comment upon being asked to answer a few questions at practice after being shown Jack Harlow’s birthday message to her on Instagram. Considering the recent loss of two of Racing’s original players and two consecutive 1-0 losses the vibes at practice on Thursday seemed good. Sav DeMelo received a pie in the face after being named to the NWSL Best XI for May. After practice on Thursday, Coach Björkegren commented that the previous day’s practice has been their best ever. I always think it is better not to dwell on the negative if you want to turn your fortunes around, and it looks like the team is ready to head into Saturday’s match against Angel City with a positive attitude.
Both Racing and Angel City find themselves in the logjam in the middle of the NWSL table with 7 teams separated by 2 points. After a really hot start where the club won 3 out of 4, Angel City has only taken a point from its last 3 matches and hasn’t scored since May 21st, which coincided with its last victory. Being a new team, I think Angel City will be expecting ups and downs but will be looking at Racing Louisville as a chance to turn its fortunes around. Similarly, Racing will be looking to score its first goal since May 22nd and will be looking to avoid a 3-match losing skid. With all of Angel City’s attacking talent you would expect them not to be last in the league in goals, but that is where they sit. However, if they score, they win. They have won all 3 league matches in which they have netted at least one goal but have been shutout 4 times with 3 losses.
Once again, the task seems blatantly apparent for Racing: don’t concede an early goal. Angel City likes to have the ball as much as Racing (51.7% and 53.3% respectively), so expect a good battle in midfield. Racing will have at least one change in its starting XI, but I don’t yet have a good feel for who will be taking over for Kizer. Nadia Nadim could be a natural fit, but she is probably still a few matches away from being ready to start. DeMelo is a possibility, but she tends to like to play a little more to one side. Emina Ekic is another possibility since she played centrally at U of L. I also wouldn’t be totally surprised to see McDonald play a little deeper and to give Ebony Salmona chance a start up front or play as a front two with McDonald. Of all of those options, I think I would put my money on DeMelo as the ten with Olofsson taking her spot in the midfield.
No matter what the actual starting positions are, expect Fox to stick with Press. Press has been playing left wing mostly, so expect Fox to start at right back. Since Press is capable of playing anywhere in the attacking half, Racing might employ Martin at left back in case Fox needs to switch sides (Holloway as a left-footed left back is somewhat limited in her ability to switch). McCaskill will be familiar to Racing fans and can also be a nuisance pretty much anywhere on the pitch.
