Welcome to the Racing Louisville FC Off-Season Updates page! Here we’re tracking all off-season moves made by Racing as they prepare for the 2024 season.
In September, the 2024 options on forwards Thembi Kgatlana and Kirsten Davis and defender Julia Lester’s contracts were exercised.
On October 31, Racing announced that goalkeeper Hillary Beall had agreed to a new contract through 2024 with an option for 2025, prior to leaving on loan to Western United in Australia.
On November 7, it was announced that goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer has also signed a new contract through 2024 with an option for 2025.
Midfielder Maddie Pokorny was announced to have signed a new two-year contract to stay in Louisville on November 10.
In a trade with expansion side Bay FC, Racing acquired Bay FC’s natural second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft and protection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft in exchange for their natural third-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft and $235,000 in alternative allocation money.
Racing Louisville FC confirmed to ShePlays that Alternative Allocation Money is the right to purchase additional funds that the club has not funded, but had the rights to. This trade increases the amount of Allocation Money Bay FC has the ability to purchase from the league, but is not a transfer of physical funds.
November 20 Roster Updates
Racing begins the off-season with 18 players under contract, and in ongoing discussions with goalkeeper Olivia Sekany and forwards Parker Goins and Wang Shuang.
Midfielder Alex Chidiac and defender Rebecca Holloway have been waived, and are able to have their rights picked up by other NWSL teams.
Louisville has four players going into free agency:
- Nadia Nadim (unrestricted)
- Jessica McDonald (unrestricted)
- Taylor Aylmer (restricted)
- Emina Ekic (restricted)
Nadim and McDonald were announced to not be returning to Louisville, while Ekic has already signed as a free agent with Melbourne City, waived by Racing on November 9 prior to the end of her current contract. Racing is currently searching for a new head coach, following the mutual departure of Kim Björkegren in October.
November 20 Roster:
- Goalkeepers (3): Hillary Beall (on loan), Jordyn Bloomer, Katie Lund
- Defenders (5): Abby Erceg, Julia Lester, Lauren Milliet, Elli Pikkujämsä, Carson Pickett
- Midfielders (6): Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges, Savannah DeMelo, Kayla Fischer, Jaelin Howell, Maddie Pokorny
- Forwards (4): Kirsten Davis, Uchenna Kanu, Thembi Kgatlana, Paige Monaghan
November 30, 2023
Bev Yanez is announced to be the new head coach of Racing Louisville FC. Yanez spent the 2023 season as an assistant coach with Racing.
December 12, 2023 Trades
Racing acquires two 2024 NWSL Draft Picks from Gotham FC in a three-way trade in the final hours of the trade window, prior to the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft.
Gotham’s second and third-round natural picks in the 2024 NWSL Draft are sent to Racing Louisville, while Racing sends $130,000 in funded allocation money to Bay FC, helping Gotham achieve protection in the expansion draft.
Click here to find more details on this trade.
December 15, 2023
Forward Paige Monaghan is selected in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft by Utah Royals FC.
Following the expansion draft, Racing sent $40,000 in alternative allocation money to Bay FC in exchange for defender Ellie Jean, who was traded to Bay FC by Gotham on Tuesday.
December 20, 2023
Racing Louisville forward Thembi Kgatlana is transferred to Mexican club Tigres in exchange for an undisclosed fee.
December 21, 2023
Free agent midfielder Marisa Viggiano joins Racing on a two-year contract, the club announced Thursday.
January 4, 2024
Japanese midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki, who played at the University of Kentucky, signs with Racing through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026.
January 8, 2024
Goalkeeper Hillary Beall departs Racing in a trade with San Diego Wave FC. Racing receives San Diego’s natural second-round pick in the 2025 NWSL Draft.
January 9, 2024
Forward Parker Goins agrees to a one-year deal with Racing Louisville, signing on for the 2024 season.
January 10, 2024
Forward Kirsten Wright (formerly Davis) has agreed to a new three-year contract that will run through the 2026 season, replacing her former contract.
January 12, 2024 – NWSL Draft Day
In a draft day trade with the Chicago Red Stars, Racing Louisville receives defender Arin Wright, sending the 15th overall pick and $125,000 to Chicago.
During the draft, Racing acquired the 54th overall pick and $40,000 in Allocation Money from San Diego Wave FC in exchange for the 42nd overall pick.
Racing would go on to make four draft picks:
- No. 6, forward Reilyn Turner, UCLA
- No. 28, forward Emma Sears, Ohio State University
- No. 48, defender Sam Cary, University of Iowa
- No. 54, goalkeeper Madison White, Texas Tech University
January 17, 2024
Racing Louisville paid an undisclosed transfer fee to acquire South African forward Linda Motlhalo from Glasgow City FC. Motlhalo has agreed to a two-year contract through 2025, with an option for 2026.
January 18, 2024
Colombian forward Elexa Bahr joins Racing on a two-year contract through 2025.
Racing’s Roster as of January 19, 2024
Racing Louisville FC has 22 players currently under contract.
- Goalkeepers (2): Jordyn Bloomer, Katie Lund
- Defenders (7): Abby Erceg, Ellie Jean, Julia Lester, Lauren Milliet, Elli Pikkujämsä, Carson Pickett, Arin Wright
- Midfielders (8): Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges, Savannah DeMelo, Kayla Fischer, Jaelin Howell, Yuuka Kurosaki, Maddie Pokorny, Marisa Viggiano
- Forwards (5): Elexa Bahr, Parker Goins, Uchenna Kanu, Linda Motlhalo, Kirsten (Davis) Wright
January 22, 2024
Racing Louisville announce a trade with San Diego Wave FC, sending $150,000 in allocation money to San Diego in exchange for midfielder Taylor Flint (formerly Kornieck).
New Zealand international forward Milly Clegg has signed a three-year contract. Clegg is expected to arrive in Louisville in March, as she is currently rehabbing a leg injury.
This brings Racing to a total of 24 players under contract.