Racing v Current Preview
Courtesy Connor Cunningham
Back on January 19th, I posed a few questions about the upcoming season. That day happened to be the day that Kim Björkegren landed in Louisville as the new Racing Louisville head coach. I thought I might revisit a few of those question and see how much we have learned about the team in the last two months.
What is Racing doing about international players during the January transfer window?
I think we still can’t quite answer this question will full confidence but based on all of the data available we can assume that 1) Racing signed or began negotiations with 1 or more players and 2) the results of those negotiations will have to wait until the European season is over. There is absolutely no way that Racing plans to play the entire season with 5 defenders on its roster. If Racing didn’t have at least one or two signings lined up, there is no way that they don’t sign Charmé Morgan or Sydney Cummings, at least to the supplemental squad. Both Salmon and Bonner were not announced until the English season was over, but those deals were done in January of 2021.
Will Racing’s top draftees sign?
I think this one depends on how you define “top”. Back in January I sort of defined them as Davis (21), Goins (21), Howell (22), DeMelo (22) and Morgan (22). Of those five players, only Morgan didn’t sign. Jordyn Bloomer (22) signed early in the preseason, so the club saw something in her immediately (probably aided by her attendance at Racing’s goalkeeper camp in December). In my opinion, the right players were signed, but the late preseason injury to Emily Smith (21) hurt.
Will anyone make the team from open tryouts?
Neither Taylor Malham nor Hillary Beal was drafted by Racing in either of the past 2 drafts. Racing held the rights to Malham from 2021, but Hillary Beal was a non-roster invitee. I think I recall seeing Beal at open tryouts, so let’s go with “yes”.
Will Soccer Holdings replace Brad Estes before the season starts?
Unless you count this enormous tifo, then no.
Courtesy Louisville City FC
The other two questions were about a local TV contract and a new away kit, and I am no clearer on those, but it doesn’t look promising.
As for the match itself, here are a few things to watch:
In scrimmages and training Racing have played a 4-3-3 (or a 4-1-2-3 depending on how you look at it). I think it will be interesting to see how they keep their shape throughout the match. Expect Jae Howell to be the last player back in midfield in front of the defense more than as an attacking force. One day she will likely be the force in midfield that drives the team forward, but I think need (and Mewis and Williams) will dictate that she covers in defense a bit more in her first match.
Racing thought so much of Kirsten Davis that they protected her in the expansion draft. When interviewed after training on Thursday she seemed ready for her first match and that the situation wouldn’t be too big for her. Racing actually practiced at Lynn Family Stadium on Tuesday, so the numerous new players got to get a feel for the pitch. Several players including Davis were at Louisville City’s match on Saturday, so hopefully those two things help with opening night jitters. I expect Davis to start based on everything I have seen in preseason.
More than the score line, two items that will indicate progress for Racing will be deeper on the stat sheet. If Coach Kim’s philosophy is taking hold expect to see Racing have better possession numbers and more shots. KC is maybe the favorite to win Racing’s Challenge Cup group, so the possession numbers may not come in the first match, but KC is also unproven in defense. I think that Racing should get at least 10-15 shots off if Björkegren’s strategy is going according to plan.
Being early in the season, the newly christened (thankfully) “Availability Report” is pretty light. For KC it lists Jaycie Johnson and Mallory Weber as out. Taylor Leach, a projected starter is listed as questionable. For Racing, only Nadia Nadim is listed at out.
Opening matches are particularly difficult to predict. Expect rain to play a factor unfortunately. If you had to choose a winner, I suppose you would go for the more experienced squad, but a wet pitch and wet ball can mean that anything could happen.
