Racing 2-Orlando-0
We didn’t get our hopes up until the final whistle was blown. We didn’t even let ourselves enjoy the comfortable lead because we knew it could be snatched away at any minute. We celebrated the goals and the almost goals; we watched as our players dominated possession, but we never said, “look at us, beating the number two team in the league!” as if those magic words could somehow make our two goals disappear or cause Orlando to score. Whatever it was (it probably wasn’t us), Racing held onto the lead and is now sitting pretty at number five, at least until the other games are played this weekend. I will keep my optimism in check because we do have some tough games ahead, but I am cautiously wondering if the lukewarm fans, match attendees of yore, and even newbie fans will start to fill-in the stadium and secure the club’s place in Louisville for the long-term.
Enjoy some snapshots below and some unserious commentary meant to make you smile, or maybe roll your eyes, but not raise your blood pressure.
What a beautiful night for some football! The talented bench players and media wait for the starters to join the field. New keeper Christina Roque chats with Katie O’Kane about her beautiful silver hair and rumors of her having donuts before the match as the reason she isn’t starting. “Not just one dozen, I had TWO dozen.” Well, that explains that. I hope they were warm Krispy Kreme.
Some cuties from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana joined the players on the field pre-match. Jordyn Bloomer, ever the kid whisperer, challenges a nine-year old to “hit her as hard as she can” but the girl declines, saying she’ll “see her in the parking lot around 11pm.”
Lauren Milliet spots me and my ginormous camera and gives me a wave! I guess she wants me to pay back that $50 I owe her. Or maybe she’s waving at Cam (hubby) or family sitting close by. Really no way to know.
Per her normal pre-match routine, Jordyn Bloomer gives the ball a friendly reminder that it (or any of its friends) is not to go past her into the net. Whatever she said, worked!
This mix of meditative silence from Sav and Lo with the joke-cracking (that seems to be coming from the direction of Blooms, making Arin and Janine laugh) seemed to do the trick for the team.
Ary Borges, in her first start since her three-game suspension, was happy to show off a new trick she’d been working on. Orlando looks frightened but impressed.
For Ary’s next trick, she attempts to tickle the Orlando Keeper so that she’ll drop the ball. Sadly, this one needs a little more practice.
In this battle-of-the-French-twist-buns, Milliet reminds Marta that she’s not the best player on the field.
Emma Sears made several runs at the goal but was even more effective with her passing. She kept the Orlando players on their toes by driving to the goal and then spinning around to find an open Racing player to finish the job.
Arin Wright gets a head pat and numerous hugs after her goal off the corner kick from Petersen.
In true captain style, Wright turns the celebration huddle into a planning session (Coach Bev joined by Zoom) before the smoke can clear.
I call this piece of art “‘Oops, did I trip you? I definitely meant to,’ by Marta” and it’s not one of her masterpieces.
Wright’s turn to school Marta, as she takes the ball and passes to Ary. (I didn’t intentionally take so many pictures of Marta, but she just seemed to be everywhere. I think I ran into her in the Premium Club.)
Ball placement on corner kicks was very, very important to the officials. They had their protractors and compasses at the ready to ensure the ball was appropriately placed. The players were thrilled about the level of accuracy required. (Is that Marta in the frame again? WTH?)
Ary’s almost-goal had everyone on the edge of their seats, and being able to smile after and laugh at herself was pure Ary. She doesn’t hide her passion for the game.
Sav got a great look at the goal but the wind kicked up out of nowhere and sent the ball into the stands.
A brief pause in the action while O’Kane, with her amazing silver pony, enters the game for Borges.
Some unfriendly fire in the box means a penalty kick for Racing. Orlando apologizes profusely and takes full responsibility. Especially Marta.
See keeper’s face for caption.
2nd Goal Celebration & Sunset Gallery (because they were equally beautiful)
The always polished, articulate and focused Lauren Milliet. I can’t explain in words how much I love this picture and how well is shows the effort of the team this match and this season, so I will rely on the second language of nations everywhere - memes.
Please tell me this isn’t the first time you’ve seen the before-after school look. Lo is sooo after school.
Ellie Jean receives a congratulatory hug from Banda as the match wraps up.
Post-match Celebration Gallery
More shots from the Match
Fin.
