On Saturday afternoon, Racing Louisville FC hosted the Utah Royals as the game marked the first NWSL match in league history with two former NWSL players against each other as coaches.
With Racing’s 5-1 victory, it marked their first win of the 2024 NWSL season under head coach Bev Yanez as multiple records were broken for the club in front of their largest crowd of 11,365 fans at Lynn Family Stadium.
Racing Louisville Head Coach Bev Yanez secures her first win as their 5-1 victory against the Utah … [+] Royals broke multiple records for the club.
Uchenna Kanu Leads The Way For Racing
In the first half, Racing Louisville opened up the scoring as Nigerian forward Uchenna Kanu headed the ball to the back of the net to score the opening goal in the 26’ minute. Kanu’s goal marked her fourth goal of the 2024 NWSL season and currently holds the record for the most goals scored so far in the season.
The Royals secured a late equalizer in the final minutes of the first half as Olivia Griffitts scored her first professional goal for Utah. With a 1-1 standstill at the start of the second half, Racing fired up the heat as forward Savannah DeMelo scored her first club brace within 10 minutes to regain Racing’s lead with a 3-1 scoreline.
“It was super special getting this win,” said DeMelo. “The intensity of the environment was something that was super fun to play in. I just thought the atmosphere was great today and it was super cool to get a win for the fans. I think I can speak for all of us, we want to win for Bev. She’s such an amazing coach and the feeling is one we’ll never forget as a team and she’ll never forget, and hopefully we can just keep riding the wave.”
Racing forward Savannah DeMelo scored her first club brace against the Utah Royals.
Racing Rookies Score Their First Professional Goals
Although Racing held a solid lead in the second half, Carson Pickett made the assist with a clear cross to the middle of the box and with the finish, forward Reilyn Turner headed the ball to the back of the net to record her first goal with Racing.
Four minutes later, Racing returned to their opponents box as a ball from the midfield was played to forward Emma Sears. With a clear pathway, Sears dominated ball possession to dribble the ball down the field and from the inside of the box, the rookie secured the fifth goal.
“It feels amazing for this group,” Yanez said. “They work so hard every single day to be the best that they can be, and to be able to have this breakthrough, obviously it’s something we’ve really wanted and we’ve been yearning for. Having that here at home in front of a record-breaking crowd is the most special moment for all of us.”
The 5-1 scoreline marked the highest goals scored in Racing’s club history. With Louisville securing all three points for the first time this season, the club remains undefeated as they recorded four consecutive draws before this milestone.
Racing Louisville is now fifth in NWSL standings and will look to repeat their success as they travel to face Gotham FC on Sunday, April 28.
