LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC put a jolt into its playoff hopes Saturday thanks to some late-game heroics by Taylor Flint and Janine Beckie in a 1-0 victory over Portland Thorns FC.
Beckie served up an 88th-minute corner kick to the towering midfielder Flint, who headed in the game’s lone goal — a mighty important one for Racing, which was playing at Lynn Family Stadium for the last time this year.
Having improved to 7-11-7, Racing now heads to San Diego Wave FC for a November 3 season finale within sight of an eighth-place finish and first trip to the playoffs.
“Scoring a goal in itself is a crazy feeling, especially late in a game we need to win,” Flint said. “It was surreal. We need this momentum going into San Diego, and this game meant everything to us.”
Portland both out-shot and out-possessed Racing on the night, with Thorns star Sophia Smith returning to try three shots on target in 28 minutes off the bench. But the visitors failed to register a “Big Chance,” according to Opta statistics, as Racing snapped a three-game losing streak.
This also went down as Louisville’s first clean sheet since June 7.
“We were very unified in everything we were doing tonight,” said head coach Bev Yanez. “Sometimes you can’t control [everything] you’re trying to do in the moment from an execution standpoint, but you can always control your effort. That’s what I wanted from the group tonight, and that’s what I got.”
Racing’s defense held on late to preserve its lead as Lund denied a 94th-minute shot on target from former Louisville forward Reilyn Turner. A Portland free kick seconds later was also turned toward goal but bounded wide of the far post.
The Thorns traveled to Louisville with the ability to clinch their own postseason berth with a victory or a draw, entering off a win over the first-place Orlando Pride.
Instead, it was Racing that put a foot forward toward the playoffs. Louisville will wait to see the results of Bay FC’s late-night kickoff against North Carolina Courage before determining scenarios going into the regular season’s final day.
“We’re going across the country for the last game of the season, which is never easy,” Beckie said, “and we know it’s not going to be an easy task against anyone in this league. If I’m San Diego, I’m up to the task of ruining someone’s season. So we know we’re going to get their best game.
“It’s actually a really fun position to be in as a player. We took care of business tonight and put ourselves in the best position we could.”
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