Preview: KC NWSL at Racing Louisville

Match Details

KC NWSL (0-8-4 ) @ Racing Lousville (3-5-2)

When: Sunday, August 8 | 2:00 PM CT

Where: Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville, KY

TV: KSMO-TV, Paramount+

Radio: Sports Radio 810 WHB

Kansas City NWSL makes their second visit to Lynn Family Stadium to face Racing Louisville. The two new NWSL teams opened their regular season against each with a 0-0 draw. Racing Louisville (3-5-2, 11pts) have lost three of their last four by a score of 2-0 and the other match was a 1-1 draw. Two of those losses came at home for Racing.

KC NWSL (0-8-4, 4pts) are not much better in their last four with two draws (1-1 at Gotham and a 0-0 battle at home against North Carolina) and two losses (0-2 at both Portland and the Reign).

This will be Kansas City’s third match after the huge trade that sent captain Amy Rodriguez to North Carolina in exchange for Forwards Kristen Hamilton and Hailie Mace and goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland.

Since the trade, including the initial emotional match, Kansas City’s attack has looked more fluid, more dangerous but have still not found that net.

Availability

Kansas City is about as healthy as they have been all season and this is one of the few matches where coach Huw Williams had to work to decide a travel squad. Despite the good overall health of the team, Williams will still be without two key contributors as Desiree Scott and Chloe Logarzo have just wrapped up their Olympic competitions and have not returned yet. Scott was with the Gold medal winning Canadian side and Logarzo with the Australian team that fell to the United States in the Bronze medal game.

OUT: Taylor Leach (left foot), Arielle Ship (right lower leg-SEI)

QUESTIONABLE:

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Chloe Logarzo (AUS), Desiree Scott (CAN)

Racing Louisville only has Merrick out but an additional three questionable.

OUT: Addisyn Merrick (left ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: Katie Lund (right foot), Katie McClure (right foot), Ebony Salmon (back)

Coaches speak:

Kansas City head coach Huw Williams on how the team looked coming into the Louisville game:

“We are not looking like a team that hasn’t won yet. We are looking like a team that hopefully is on the right track. We are clearly not where we want to be but you saw in practice the vibe is good, the intensity is good, the work rate is awesome. I certainly can’t expect any more than everything they are giving us. On that side of things I am happy with where we are but we still need to find ways to get three points.”

Williams on what the expects from Racing:

“Coach Holly has done a great job with them, with them an expansion club. He has gotten the most out of them, got a couple wins under their belt. Not going in the right direction for them lately but you know they will be ready to play against us and very determined against us. Some new players for them. Dynamic up top, Fox is unbelievable in the back and will be one of the players fighting for a spot on the next U.S. National team.”

Coach Holly on Kansas City:

“They are a big threat going forward. They have some good experience at the back. For us, it is the same as every game. We have to come in and set the tempo of how we want to play. Regardless of where a team sits in the NWSL, there is no such thing as an easy game. We have to focus on the little details that have been skipping us in the game.”

Coach Holly on how his team is doing:

“You can see the energy around the team. The players want to work. That is something we are very pleased about. We are pleased about the application and growth that they have shown individually and collectively. The fact we are able to go into these games and impose ourselves is something we are very excited about. That is a testament to the work that these players have done since February 1. We will not become consumed by the results of these games. We will not become consumed by the outcome.”

Final thoughts:

This is one of the games that both teams have to look at as a winnable match. Neither team has lit up the scoreboard lately and need this match in an attempt to turn the season in the right direction. Kansas City is desperate really wanting their first victory and will do everything they can to make that happen in Louisville.