LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- On a night filled with bright lights and high drama, Racing Louisville FC delivered one of the most resolute performances in club history.
Playing in front of 16,738 fans at BMO Stadium and down to 10 players for the final 23 minutes, Racing clung to a 3-2 lead to hold off Angel City FC and claim a record-setting third road win of the season. The victory lifted Racing (4-4-2, 14 points) into eighth place in the NWSL standings heading into the league's international break.
"That’s the win we’ve been waiting for," said captain Arin Wright, who also surpassed 15,000 career NWSL minutes on the night. "That is our identity to a tee — to fight and grind out a game like that. With the red card and a player down, that is Racing Louisville."
Racing built a 3-1 lead by the 56th minute with goals from Taylor Flint (penalty), Emma Sears (header) and Savannah DeMelo (clinical finish off a Kayla Fischer assist). But Fischer, instrumental in creating DeMelo's goal, was shown a red card in the 67th minute for violent conduct in the box, which led to Alyssa Thompson's penalty conversion for Angel City just a minute later.
From there, it was Racing’s defense — led by goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, who finished with five saves — that held the line.
"What a performance on the road — big crowd, away at Angel City, very respectable side, huge, huge result for us going into this international break," head coach Bev Yanez said. "Very pleased with the ability to close out that match. I thought the first half was fantastic. We came in at halftime and spoke about the press and the press causing some chaos and some havoc, to continue that, to continue to make sure we have the energy in that space.
"... Overall, a fantastic game, a fantastic way to close out the match. Everyone gave their maximum effort, so just very pleased for the group. Big, big three points for us."
The visitors struck first in the 23rd minute. Fischer’s high press forced a turnover, leading to a Janine Sonis cross that was handled in the box. Flint calmly converted from the spot — her second career goal at BMO Stadium — to give Racing a 1-0 edge.
After halftime, Angel City equalized quickly through a Riley Tiernan rocket in the 48th minute. But Racing responded in style.
Just five minutes later, Wright set up Sears for a powerful header and her fifth goal of the season, reclaiming the lead. Then in the 56th, Fischer set up DeMelo with a dazzling no-look assist in transition to make it 3-1.
"I told you we just hadn’t found the back of the net," Wright said. "When it rains, it pours — and it did today."
Fischer’s ejection for an inadvertent hand to the face in the 67th minute gave Angel City new life. But after Thompson converted from the spot, Racing dropped into a defensive shape and saw the game out.
"We went from a 4-4-1 to a 5-3-1," said Yanez. "It’s sheer mentality at that point. The willingness to put your body on the line, even when your legs want to go out."
Racing blocked three shots, won five aerial duels and saw defenders Ellie Jean and Courtney Petersen each make key stops in the closing minutes. Sonis and Sears even dropped back to help shore up the back line.
"This game can get crazy sometimes," Sonis said. "But just really proud of the group for the way we dug in and pulled out a really, really important win."
Racing’s 14 points through 10 matches puts them ahead of where they were at the same point in 2024. They’ve already set a new club high for road wins in a season and surpassed their stated goal of double-digit road points.
"This group is just at a good spot right now," Yanez said. "... We’re starting to flourish into an identity that we’re excited about and bought into."
Racing returns to action Friday, June 6, against Utah Royals FC on Pride Night at Lynn Family Stadium.
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