Racing Louisville Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in Louisville, Kentucky, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It plays home matches at Lynn Family Stadium, which seats 15,304 spectators. The team is owned by Soccer Holdings LLC, which it shares with Louisville City FC of the USL Championship men's league. Louisville's expansion team was announced on October 22, 2019, and began play in the 2021 season. Their second team plays in the USL W League.

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. Soccer Holdings, LLC, 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. 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. The team became the first professional team to play in the city of Louisville since the Kentucky Colonels in 1975.

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. The ownership group later announced in April 2020 that they would explore other names with community input after a mixed reception from fans. The club's new name, Racing Louisville FC, was officially unveiled on July 8, 2020. 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. 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.

Former Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly was named as Racing Louisville FC's first head coach on August 12, 2020. The club made their NWSL debut in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, where they finished at the bottom of the East Division with two losses and two draws. Racing Louisville FC made their home debut on May 15, 2021, playing to a scoreless draw against Kansas City NWSL.

Holly was fired for cause on August 31, 2021, and the club named Mario Sanchez, head of the club's youth academy and former collegiate coach, as the interim head coach. After the season, veteran Swedish coach Kim Björkegren was named as the permanent replacement. In 2022, a report from U.S. Soccer revealed that Holly had allegedly sexually abused players as coach of Racing.

Racing named former NWSL MVP finalist and Best XI selection Bev Yanez as its new coach in November 2023. In 2025, Bev Yanez was named NWSL Coach of the Year. Racing Louisville has been the subject of a speculated relocation due to the small market size, low attendance, and the team's low valuation, estimated at $127 million to $140 million. A sale of partial ownership was proposed in early 2026 amid interest from FC Cincinnati, who had failed to win an expansion team of their own.

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. 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, who had previously worked with Major League Soccer teams New York City FC and Los Angeles FC.

Sponsorship On December 17, 2020, GE Appliances became the exclusive front-of-jersey sponsor for Soccer Holdings, LLC, the parent organization of Racing Louisville. SeasonsJersey manufacturerFront-of-Jersey2021–present Nike, Inc.GE Appliances

Stadium and facilities

The club shares Lynn Family Stadium and its training facilities with Louisville City FC. The soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2020, has a seated capacity of 11,600, with standing-room capacity up to 15,304. The training facilities at Louisville Champions Park includes several practice fields and an indoor gymnasium and office complex.

Players and staff

Current squad

No.Pos.NationPlayer

Out on loan No.Pos.NationPlayer

Staff

TechnicalSupport

Head coaches As of April 4, 2026: NameTenureRefs Christy Holly August 12, 2020 – August 31, 2021 Mario Sanchez (interim) August 31, 2021 – December 9, 2021 Kim Björkegren December 9, 2021 – October 27, 2023 Bev Yanez November 30, 2023 –

Record Year-by-year First team as of November 3, 2025 SeasonLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffsChallenge CupAverage attendanceTotal attendance2021 NWSL2457122140 -19229thDid not qualifyGroup stage6,56579,0422022225892335 -12239thDid not qualifyGroup stage6,04866,52920232269725241279thDid not qualifyRunners-up^5,99965,98920242677123339 -6289thDid not qualifyDNQ6,22386,91620252610793538 -3377thQuarterfinalsDNQ5,52171,775 * ^2nd = Highest position

Second team SeasonLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffs2022 USL W League126332615 +11213rd, Great LakesDid not qualify202310811424 +38252nd, Great LakesDid not qualify2024104243217 +15144th, Great LakesDid not qualify202510622318 +23202nd, Great LakesDid not qualify202696211810 +8201st, Great LakesConference Semifinals

Team records First team

Current players in bold. Statistics are updated once a year after the conclusion of the NWSL season.

+ Most appearances Player Appearances#NameTotal 1Lauren Milliet DF 2021–1131 163133 2Katie Lund GK 2021–2025800 11192 3Savannah DeMelo MF 2022–790 8289 4Kayla Fischer FW 2023–551 63655Jaelin Howell MF 2022–2024500 10363 6Ary Borges MF 2023–2025531 3360 7Abby Erceg DF 2023–2024480 5356Emma Sears FW 2024–521 0356 9Emina Ekić FW 2021–2023380 13051Taylor Flint MF 2024–471 0351

+ Top goalscorers Player Appearances#NameTotal 1Savannah DeMelo MF 2022–170 3020 2Emma Sears FW 2024–150 0116 3Nadia Nadim FW 2021–2023100 0010 4Cece Kizer FW 2021–202250 3085Kayla Fischer FW 2023–41 117Taylor FlintMF 2024–70 007Uchenna KanuFW 2023–202560 107Kirsten WrightFW 2022–60 107 9Ebony SalmonFW 2021–202260 00610Ary BorgesMF 2023–202530 115Reilyn TurnerFW202440015

References

External links