How Racing Louisville pulled off shock victory over Portland Thorns
Louisville delivered just their second win of the season in a 3-1 win against the Thorns
With just one win in seven games, Racing Louisville didn’t appear to have much of a shot against the Portland Thorns heading into Friday night’s encounter. And things looked even bleaker when Louisville fell behind to a Sophia Wilson goal within the first 10 minutes.
But Bev Yanez’s team rallied to a 3-1 win against the league-leading Thorns. The home team confidently pressed and made the most of attacking moments in arguably their most complete performance this season.
“Incredible response from the group”, Yanez said after the game. “It was just getting back to us.”
In the sixth minute, Wilson outran Louisville’s Courtney Petersen in a footrace to receive an over-the-top ball from Olivia Moultire, finishing the ensuing one-on-one chance to put the Thorns ahead 1-0.
Despite the Thorns’ early strike, Racing responded in the 14th minute when Katie O’Kane took advantage of a crowded box to slip a well-placed shot past Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The 24-year-old O’Kane then put Louisville ahead 2-1 in the 77th minute when she scored her first-career brace on a bending free kick finish from a tight angle.
Emma Sears, who came on as a substitute, put the finishing touches on the 3-1 win with a stoppage-time finish as she won the ball high on the field and slotted a finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Coming into Friday’s contest with two consecutive one-goal losses, Yanez said the team was looking to be more together in the “basics” despite decent performances against top teams. She wanted them to be “proud” of their performances — and they certainly can be pleased with what they delivered on Friday.
“You saw the group today that everybody knows”, Yanez said, “for that, I’m just incredibly happy for the group … I don’t know what other way you’d want a response than beating the group at the top of the table in that type of way (and) in that type of fashion.”
Louisville find a breakthrough via press as underlying mediocrity manifests for Thorns
Despite the Thorns entering this game first in the NWSL standings and Louisville second-to-last, the two clubs were not very far apart in the stats table. When it comes to expected goal differential the Thorns were 11th with a -0.23 xGD and Louisville were 13th at -0.62.
The Thorns had found gritty ways to secure results in numerous games, while Louisville didn’t have the same fortune, losing their previous two matches by one goal each. On Friday, however, Louisville made the most of opportunities, winning by two goals despite generating just 1.59 xG to the Thorns’ 1.47.
Yanez said the team responded to her messaging about getting back to the “basics,” and O’Kane said the team kept the game simple.
“It was just not overcomplicating anything”, O’Kane said in her post-match interview. “It was we’re going to press the way that we know how to press. We’re going to go man for man, player for player, step really high (and) leave players isolated in the back, which we know we can handle.”
After Louisville’s previous loss to Gotham, Yanez called for improved execution with the team’s high press. Louisville had been able to win balls high on the field, but she wanted more effectiveness from her team’s high line.
After a difficult start in the game which saw Wilson score, Louisville’s press began to disrupt the Thorns’ attempts to build out from the back. Louisville were comfortable affording their opponents 52% of possession, but were successful in disrupting the Thorns’ ability on the ball.
Sears’ goal epitomised Louisville’s efforts as she gained possession in the attacking half of the field and finished her chance soon after.
“Unbelievable defending from a pressing standpoint”, Yanez said after the game, “what we talk about in our identity and who we are, unbelievable work ethic from the group, nice contact, big tackles.”
Wilson excels despite poor performance for league leaders
It wasn’t all bad news for the Thorns, who saw one of the best performances from Wilson this season. The 25-year-old has only just returned from maternity leave and has been working her way back to her best after eight goalless appearances across five NWSL and three US games.
Wilson’s pace was difficult for Racing’s backline to contain, particularly early in the game, as she consistently won foot races behind their back line. The 2022 NWSL MVP’s goal was her third in four games.
Smith’s six touches in Louisville’s box were the most in the game, and she tied for the most chances created.
Next, Louisville will face Utah Royals, who are currently second in the NWSL standings, while the Thorns will play ninth-place Angel City.
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