Live-Blogging Shish on Women’s Soccer: NWSL & 2021 TWC Semifinal Match, Racing Louisville FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

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NWSL Soccer: Racing Louisville FC Hosts Chicago Red Stars

The Women’s Cup

Starting Lineups

Match Location: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, KY
 
Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Women’s Soccer’. Tonight, a National Women’s Soccer League Match ‘doubles’ as a semifinal match for the inaugural ‘The Women’s Cup’. And that match is between Racing Louisville FC (4-6-3, 15 points) and Chicago Red Stars (6-7-2, 20 points).
 
‘The Women’s Cup’ is a 4-team tournament that this year consists of 2 NWSL Clubs and 2 International Clubs. The International Clubs playing in this tournament is Paris-Saint Germain Féminine of Division 1 Féminine and Frauen-Bundesliga’s FC Bayern Munich. The two international clubs will play against each other, while the NWSL Clubs will play a regular season match tonight. The winners of those matches will play in the Championship Match.
 
If any of these matches are tied at end of regulation. They will go to penalty kicks. No word on whether Racing Louisville or Chicago Red Stars will get a point in the NWSL Standings, if their match is tied at the end of regulation.
 
Now, to the NWSL side of this match, between Racing and the Red Stars. The Host Club (Racing Louisville FC) is in 9th Place in the NWSL Standings and needs a win to stay in contention for the 6-team playoffs. For the Red Stars, they are in 5th Place and are fighting with Washington Spirit, OL Reign, Houston Dash, and tonight’s opponent Racing Louisville FC.
 
It is Racing Louisville FC and Chicago Red Stars in a match that doubles as an NWSL Regular Season and The Women’s Cup Semifinal Match. The Match will begin shortly.

The Winner of this Match, will play FC Bayern Munich. Bayern defeated Paris Saint-Germain in Penalty Kicks, earlier today. The Loser will face PSG in the Bronze Medal Match. Both Matches will be on Saturday.

Racing are in their 4-4-2 formation. Red Stars are in their 4-2-2-2 formation.

Racing are in their black uniforms. While the Red Stars are in their white uniforms.

1st Half:
:00:00: Racing Louisville FC to kick off, to start the 1st Half, defending the right net. While the Red Stars are defending the left net. 
:04:00: Simon's shot too high, for Racing.
:05:00: Wright's shot blocked by Betos. 
:06:00: Watt's shot missed, for the Red Stars.
:10:00: GOAL: Ebony Salmon scored a goal, for Racing Louisville FC. LOU 1, CHI 0
​
As Mentioned Bayern Munich Defeated PSG on Penalty Kicks; Bayern Munich to Face LOU/CHI Winner on Saturday in The Women's Cup 

:23:00: Wright's shot missed, for the Red Stars.

10 Days Ago, I Live-Blogged Pride 2-0 Triumph Over Red Stars

:24:00: Johnson's shot blocked. Red Stars win corner kick.
:28:00: Red Stars win a corner kick.

Fire Leading Miami 2-1; 60th Minute in South Florida 

:38:00: Racing with a corner kick.
:39:00: Riehl's header missed, for the Red Stars.
:41:00: Kizer's shot missed, for Racing.
:41:00: Nagasoto's shot missed, for Racing.
:43:00: Pugh's shot saved by Betos.
:45:00: 1 Minute of Stoppage Time.


Halftime:
LOU 1, CHI 0

Halftime Scoring: 
:10:00: Ebony Salmon (LOU) Breakaway Goal.

Halftime Thoughts:
Racing is able to defend their home turf. They get a goal by Ebony Salmon and are dominating possession. For the Red Stars, they need to start creating opportunities through Mallory Pugh.

NWSL Schedule:

2nd Half:
:45:00: Red Stars will kickoff, to start the 2nd Half. Red Stars will defend the right goal. While Racing will defend the left goal.
:45:00: SUBSTITUTIONS: Rachel Hill replaces Katlyn Johnson. And Sarah Woldmoe replaces Makenzy Doniak, for the Red Stars.
:47:00: Wright's shot missed, for the Red Stars.
:47:00: Red Stars get a corner kick.
:49:00: Salmon's shot too high, for Racing.
:53:00: Racing Training Staff looking at Savannah McCaskill, for a head collision. 
:56:00: YELLOW CARD: Ebony Salmon gets a yellow card for a tripping foul.
:57:00: GOAL: Kealia Watt scored a goal, for the Red Stars. LOU 1, CHI 1
​
NWSL Schedule:

:59:00: SUBSTITUTION: Lauren Milliet replaces Cheyna Matthews, for Racing.
:62:00: Watt's header missed, for the Red Stars.
:64:00: Pugh's shot blocked by Betos.
:64:00: Watt's shot saved by Betos.
:65:00: YELLOW CARD: Kaliegh Riehl gets a yellow card.
:66:00: Hill's shot missed, for the Red Stars. 
:66:00: Krueger's shot too high, for the Red Stars.

The Winner Will Play FC Bayern Munich; While The Loser will play Paris Saint-Germain 

:72:00: SUBSTITUTIONS: Sinclaire MIramontez replaces Cecelia Kizer. While Emina Ekic replaces Erin Simon, for Racing.
:73:00: Red Stars with a corner kick.
:74:00: Woldmoe's shot saved by Betos.
:74:00: Woldmoe's shot saved by Betos.
:75:00: SUBSTITUTION: Tatumn Milazoo replaces Arin Wright, for the Red Stars. Rain is coming down in the Match.

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:78:00: SUBSTITUTION: Katie McClure replaces Ebony Salmon, for Racing.
:80:00: Watt's shot blocked by Betos.
:83:00: YELLOW CARD: Red Stars Bench gets a yellow card.
:86:00: McClure's shot missed, for Racing.
:87:00: Hill's shot blocked, for the Red Stars.
:87:00: Hill's shot missed, for the Red Stars.

If the Match is tied at the End of Regulation, Racing and Red Stars will get a point for the NWSL Playoffs. But will kick penalties, to see who will play FC Bayern Munich for TWC Championship or PSG for the Bronze Medal Match.

:90:00: YELLOW CARD: Yuri Nagasato gets a yellow card.
:90:00: 2 Minutes of Stoppage Time.
:90:00+2: Pugh's shot missed, for the Red Stars.
:90:00+2: SUBSTITUTION: Nikki Stanton replaces Morgan Guatrat, for the Red Stars.
:95:00: The NWSL Version of the Match has reached Full Time. The Women's Cup Match will enter into penalty kicks.

NWSL Regular Season Match Full Time:
LOU 1, CHI 1
LOU: (4-6-4, 16 points)
CHI: (6-7-3, 21 points)

Penalty Kicks:
Round 1:
CHI: Mallory Pugh's PK blocked by Betos.
LOU: Yuri Nagasato's PK is a goal. LOU 1, CHI 0

Round 2:
CHI: Tarrin Davidson's PK is a goal. LOU 1, CHI 1
LOU: Gemma Bonner's PK is blocked by Cassie Miller.

Round 3:
CHI: Sarah Woldmoe's PK is a goal. LOU 1, CHI 2
LOU: Savannah McCaskill's PK is a goal. LOU 2, CHI 2

Round 4: 
CHI: Nikki Stanton's PK is a goal, LOU 2, CHI 3
LOU: Sinclaire Miramontez's PK is a goal. LOU 3, CHI 3

Round 5:
CHI: Kealia Watt's PK  is a goal. LOU 3, CHI 4
LOU: Lauren Milliet's PK is a goal. LOU 4, CHI 4

Round 6:
CHI: Rachel Hill's PK missed. 
LOU: Katie McClure's PK is goal! The Ball hit the post and was redirected back into goal off a diving Cassie Miller, to end the Women's Cup portion of the Match. LOU 5, CHI 4

The Women's Cup Portion Full Time/Penalty Kicks:
LOU 1 (5), CHI 1 (4)


2nd Half Scoring:
:57:00: Kealia Watt (CHI) Goal

2nd Half Discipline:
:56:00: Ebony Salmon (LOU) Yellow Card
:65:00: Kaeligh Riehl (LOU) Yellow Card
:83:00: Red Stars Bench (CHI) Yellow Card
:90:00: Yuri Nagasato (LOU) Yellow Card

Final Thoughts:
For the NWSL Part of the Match, it was a tale of two halves as far as momentum was concerned. Red Stars starting getting the possession and was more disciplined than Racing.

This was not a good draw for both clubs, as Red Stars could fall out of playoff position by the end of This Weekend. As for Racing, it keeps them from catching OL Reign and Washington Spirit for the last NWSL Playoff spots.

The Next NWSL Match for both clubs will be Next Wednesday at Kansas City, for Racing Louisville FC. And Saturday August 28th, at home against Kansas City. 

Now for The Women's Cup Part of the Match. The Penalty Kicks came down to Rachel Hill missing her PK in the 6th Round, while Katie McClure had the ball go off the post and redirected into the goal, off Cassie Miller.

And so, the home club (Racing Louisville FC) will play FC Bayern Munich for The Women's Cup Championship on Saturday. While the Red Stars, will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Bronze Medal Match on Saturday. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Women's Soccer'. Thanks for visiting this page.