Racing Louisville FC

Racing Louisville Football Club is a National Women's Soccer League expansion team based in Louisville, Kentucky. It is set to begin play in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium. The team is owned by Soccer Holdings LLC, which also owns Louisville City FC of the USL Championship.[1] The expansion team was announced on October 22, 2019.[2]

Racing Louisville FC
Full nameRacing Louisville Football Club
FoundedOctober 22, 2019 (2019-10-22)
StadiumLynn Family Stadium
Louisville, Kentucky
Capacity11,700
OwnerSoccer Holdings, LLC
ChairmanJohn Neace
Head coachChristy Holly
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
WebsiteClub website

History

Louisville was mentioned as a potential candidate for an expansion team in National Women's Soccer League as early as 2018, shortly after construction began on their soccer-specific venue, Lynn Family Stadium.[3] The ownership group of USL Championship club Louisville City FC began preliminary discussions with the league the following year, with plans to enter in the 2020 season.[4][5] Louisville's NWSL expansion team was officially announced on October 22, 2019, sharing its ownership group with Louisville City FC. It would begin play in 2021 at Lynn Family Stadium.[6]

In November 2019, NWSL filed a trademark application for "Proof Louisville FC", which was confirmed by Louisville City FC as their preliminary name for the team. The name references the local bourbon whiskey industry by using the term "proof", a measure of alcohol content.[7] The ownership group later announced in April 2020 that they would explore other names with community input after a mixed reception from fans.[1][8] The club's new name, Racing Louisville FC, was officially unveiled on July 8, 2020.[9] PNC Bank was announced as the club's first kit sponsor on July 1, 2020, with the company's logo appearing on the back of the team's jerseys.[10] On December 17, 2020, Louisville City announced that GE Appliances, which had already been that club's primary shirt sponsor (i.e., on the front of the kit), would expand this sponsorship to include all clubs under the Louisville City umbrella, including Racing.[11]

Former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly was named as Racing Louisville FC's first head coach on August 12, 2020.[12]

Club identity

Racing Louisville FC is named in reference to the city's horse racing venues, including the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, using the "Racing" moniker used by foreign clubs.[1] The club's circular crest uses a lavender background and a four-pointed fleur-de-lis at its center in violet. It was designed by Matthew Wolff Design, who had previously worked with Major League Soccer teams New York City FC and Los Angeles FC.[13]

Stadium and facilities

The club will share Lynn Family Stadium and its training facilities with Louisville City FC. The soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2020, has a seated capacity of 11,700, with standing-room capacity up to 15,300.[14] The 20-acre (8.1 ha) training facilities at Louisville Champions Park will include several practice fields and an indoor gymnasium and office complex.[15]

Players

Current squad
As of January 14, 2021.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  USA Michelle Betos
— GK  USA Katie Lund
— DF  USA Julia Ashley
— DF  USA Brooke Hendrix
— DF  USA Addisyn Merrick
— DF  USA Erin Simon
— MF  USA Lauren Milliet
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  SWE Freja Olofsson
— FW  USA Cece Kizer
— FW  JAM Cheyna Matthews
— FW  USA Savannah McCaskill
— FW  USA Katie McClure
— FW  JPN Yūki Nagasato

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  USA Kaleigh Riehl (at Paris FC until February 28, 2021)

References
  1. Creditor, Avi (July 8, 2020). "NWSL Expansion Team to Be Called Racing Louisville FC". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  2. "National Women's Soccer League announces expansion to Louisville in 2021" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 22, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  3. Morris, Neal (August 23, 2018). "NWSL expansion could see teams added in USL cities". WRALSportsFan. WRAL. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  4. Lerner, Danielle (August 14, 2019). "NWSL looking at Louisville as a candidate for women's pro soccer expansion". The Courier-Journal. p. B1. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  5. Linehan, Megan; Rueter, Jeff (August 13, 2019). "Sources: Louisville is the leading candidate for 2020 NWSL expansion". The Athletic. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  6. Sullivan, Tim (October 23, 2019). "Louisville is getting a National Women's Soccer League franchise. Here's what to know". The Courier-Journal. p. A1. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  7. Sullivan, Tim (November 12, 2019). "Louisville's NWSL expansion team has a name, and it's a nod to Kentucky's favorite spirit". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  8. Gardner, Hayes (April 21, 2020). "Proof Louisville FC — the city's NWSL team — may get a new name". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  9. Aulbach, Lucas (July 8, 2020). "Meet Racing Louisville FC: New NWSL team announces name and colors ahead of 2021 debut". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  10. Finley, Marty (July 1, 2020). "Louisville women's soccer franchise lands first major corporate sponsor". Louisville Business First. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  11. "GE Appliances Extends LouCity Agreement, Expands Support for Soccer" (Press release). Louisville City FC. December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  12. Aulbach, Lucas; Yates, Dominique (August 12, 2020). "Christy Holly will lead Racing Louisville FC, the city's new NWSL franchise, in 2021". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  13. Finley, Marty (July 8, 2020). "Louisville's new women's pro soccer team unveils name, logo". Louisville Business First. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  14. "NWSL coming to Louisville in 2021" (Press release). Louisville City FC. October 22, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  15. "Soccer Holdings releases plans for new training facility" (Press release). Racing Louisville FC. June 10, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
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