Saturday’s matchup between Racing Louisville and the Houston Dash was quiet until the final 15 minutes of the game, with the clubs splitting points in a 1-1 draw.
The night’s first goal didn’t come until the 77th minute, with Nichelle Prince nodding in a deflected save from Louisville’s goalkeeper to put the Dash up 1-0 late in the game.
A heads up play from @nichelleprince7 🧠
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 15, 2022
The @HoustonDash go ahead!#LOUvHOU | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/7Jp7jpIrrm
With less than 10 minutes left in regulation, things looked dire for Louisville before Jessica McDonald headed in a lofted cross for a thrilling equalizer.
An instant response from @J_Mac1422 and @RacingLouFC! 👀
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 15, 2022
The hosts pull level just minutes after conceding!#LOUvHOU | #RacingLou pic.twitter.com/BWbY1hWjVW
The draw propels the Dash to third in the NWSL standings, while Racing Louisville sits in ninth with two draws and one loss to start the season.
The NWSL trade wheel kept spinning ahead of the 2022 College Draft, with Racing Louisville FC acquiring North Carolina Courage forward Jessica McDonald on Friday in exchange for the No. 6 overall pick in Saturday’s draft.
The deal came on the heels of Racing Louisville sending forward Savannah McCaskill to Angel City FC in exchange for the No. 6 pick and $25,000 in allocation money. Louisville then flipped that pick to the Courage for McDonald.
“We are thrilled to have Jess join us in Louisville,” said James O’Connor, Racing Louisville’s executive vice president of development. “She is an outstanding person, and her record of scoring goals and achieving at the highest level is something that will help our team. Jess brings with her a wealth of experience as well as an incredible mentality to our team.”
3x NWSL Champion.
— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) December 18, 2021
All-time NWSL assist leader.
World Cup winner.
Let’s give @J_Mac1422 a warm welcome to Louisville! pic.twitter.com/3Fqy84blqm
McDonald will now suit up for a record seventh NWSL club after being a part of the Courage since 2016. The U.S. women’s national team forward has also had stints in Houston, Portland, Seattle, Western New York and Chicago.
McDonald, 33, currently ranks first in NWSL all-time assists with 27 and fourth in goals with 51. She’s been on a trio of NWSL Shield teams (2017-19) and won three NWSL championships with the Western New York Flash in 2016 and the Courage in 2018 and ’19. She was named MVP of the 2018 championship game after scoring twice to lead North Carolina past the Portland Thorns.
“My son and I are very excited for this new adventure in Louisville,” McDonald said. “I will give this program my best and hope to make the biggest impact I possibly can on and off the field. Thanks for taking a chance on me, Louisville.”
McDonald also won a World Cup championship with the USWNT in 2019. It was recently announced that McDonald will be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
In a separate deal Friday, the Courage sent defender Julia Ashley to the Houston Dash in exchange for a second-round pick in Saturday’s college draft.
World Cup champion and North Carolina Courage forward Jessica McDonald has been selected for induction into the 2022 NJCAA Hall of Fame.
The event is set to take place on June 10, 2022 in Charlotte, N.C.
McDonald said on Twitter that she is “lost for words” at the honor.
I’m lost for words right now. ♥️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/6OKwyRhyUK
— Jessica McDonald (@J_Mac1422) December 14, 2021
Prior to joining the University of North Carolina women’s soccer program in 2008, McDonald spent two years at Phoenix College. The community college is a part of the National Junior College Athletic Association, the governing body of community college, state college and junior college athletics in the U.S. While there, McDonald earned first-team junior college All-America in soccer and was the National Junior College Player of the Year. She later transferred to UNC, where she helped the team to the national championship as a starting striker.
Drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in 2010 as part of the WPS, McDonald played for both the Red Stars and then-Seattle Reign FC during the NWSL’s inaugural 2013 season. In 2021, McDonald became just the fourth player in league history to score 50 goals.
Sheryl Swoopes is another NJCAA product, having played at South Plains College for two years. One of the most successful athletes in WNBA history, she was inducted into the inaugural NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jessica McDonald scored her 50th NWSL regular-season goal on Saturday night, helping the Courage to a 4-0 win over Kansas City. McDonald is the fourth player in NWSL history to reach the milestone, and only the second American player to do so behind North Carolina teammate Lynn Williams.
No. 50 for McDonald came in the game’s 21st minute. The forward headed in a Courage corner to put North Caroline up 2-0.
#50 for @J_Mac1422‼️#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/E2AtJGAevz
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2021
Williams got the scoring started in her first match back from the Tokyo Olympics. Bringing down a lofted cross from Carson Pickett, Williams slotted a low shot past the Kansas City keeper to give North Carolina a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
.@lynnraenie is back in business 😎#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ROzhYhtQs2
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2021
Amy Rodriguez added to the Courage’s goal tally in the 64th minute, one-timing a cross into the box for her second goal in as many games. It was Rodriguez’s first game against her former team after the Courage acquired her from Kansas City in a trade on July 22.
A-Rod against her former side 😱#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Qs5hcuUM03
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2021
Meredith Speck capped off a dominant night for North Carolina, blocking a Kansas City shot to trigger a breakaway. With the goalkeeper out of position, Speck darted past midfield and found the back of the open net to give the Courage a commanding 4-0 lead in the 90th minute.
The dagger from @meredithspeck25 😏#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DM6hCj2ARF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2021
With the victory, the Courage extended their win streak to four games.
Next up: North Carolina will face the Washington Spirit on Aug. 29, while Kansas City hosts Racing Louisville on Wednesday.