Thorns v Racing -1
Racing is back in action against the Thorns in Portland on Sunday looking to kick start its season. Unfortunately, news of Emma Sears request for a transfer is likely to overshadow anything that happens on the pitch until it is sorted out. This request comes as somewhat of a surprise to most fans, and I didn’t necessarily see it coming either. However, I think I knew that it was coming eventually. The bigger surprise to me was her extending her contract with Racing through 2028 last season. That was probably a symptom of how well things were going (relatively) in 2025. Transfer sagas that play out in-season and become protracted are no fun for anybody and usually don’t greatly help the player’s or team’s form. Every performance from Sears going forward will have to be evaluated through the lens of knowing that she likely doesn’t want to be with Racing.
To my eyes, her form was already dipping. Now, when I say something like that, I like to have the evidence to back it up. In 2025, Sears had the 6th highest cumulative xG in the league (8.15) and 13th best ratio of goals to xG (1.85 more goals than expected). This season she sits at 38th and a shocking 237th in those two categories respectively. To be fair she has moved from 29th to 18th this season in goals added, as statistic that takes into account her increased rate of assists. It would be unfair to say she isn’t contributing to Racing when everyone can see that she is. Other the other hand, Racing needs her to score goals. My takeaway is that almost any team would benefit from a focused and determined Emma Sears. I just don’t think we have seen as much of that from her this year. In my opinion, I think she sees the USWNT as her primary concern and focus. For her, I think that is smart and fair. Assuming she plays regularly until she gets her transfer, I will try to evaluate her performances fairly. I will remind you that I have already been critical of her performances this season up until now.
It is difficult and probably unwise to start the rest of the season with any form of expectations from Racing. I don’t think any tremendous help is coming unless something is worked out in a deal for Sears. If that does happen, it is hard to see Racing replacing value through players. I believe there will be women’s soccer in Louisville going forward, but it is difficult for me to think that it will be the NWSL if things keep going like they are. There are way more spots on teams with way more money now and teams like Louisville and Chicago are being left behind. Sears is yet another canary in a coalmine.
On to the actual game…
The media spoke to Weber, Bloomer, and Coach Bev on Thursday. They are all ready to get going for the second half of the season and to try to salvage something from it. All three stated that the focus cannot be fully on the results but has to start with the performances. Racing put in its best performance of the season (starting Sears on the beach if you recall) at home against Portland. There is a definite rivalry between the two teams and Portland will not want to get beaten at home like they did at Lynn.
Due to their attendance at media on Thursday and through asking the players themselves, I think we can be fairly confident of Bloomer’s and Weber’s availability on Sunday. Jordyn reminded us that she hasn’t actually ever started a match in Portland, so she is really looking forward to the atmosphere and the challenge. I suspect that there will be some interesting exchanges between the keeper and the Thorns fans. The players and Bev mentioned that they did revisit the film against Portland from earlier this season. I am sure the Thorns’ staff did as well. I think there are a few lingering injury concerns, but most of the team should be healthy for this match.
