The Women’s Cup 2021 Recap

This past week was incredible, with two different tournaments where NWSL faced off against international teams. The inaugural Women’s Cup took place in Louisville, Kentucky. It was perfect for Racing Louisville FC to host a new tournament in their first year in the NWSL, and even more perfect is the fact that they won! Here’s a look back at the spectacular play, and lots of penalty kicks, of the first-ever Women’s Cup. 

Paris Saint-Germain 2(4) vs. FC Bayern Munich 2(5) (Semifinal)

PSG, the champions of France, and Bayern Munich, the champions of Germany, fought a long and hard battle. It was a fairly even match-up, with PSG trailing at halftime but equalizing in the second half. The game went to PKs, with Bayern Munich coming out on top and securing their spot in the final.

Racing Louisville FC 1(5) vs. Chicago Red Stars 1(4) (Semifinal)

As a game that would count towards points in the NWSL, Racing Louisville had a big stake in this game. Both teams put up a fight, with Racing opening the scoreboard up in the tenth minute. Ebony Salmon pressured the Red Stars’ backline into making a huge mistake. 

Salmon with dash of nutmeg. ? pic.twitter.com/mdERW9UB4z

— Racing Louisville FC (@RacingLouFC) August 19, 2021

But, Kealia Watt of the Red Stars equalized the game early in the second half. Then, the game went to PK’s, with Racing Louisville making it to the final match. 

Chicago Red Stars 0 vs. Paris Saint-Germain 1 (3rd Place Game)

This was the only game that didn’t go into PKs of the Women’s Cup. PSG came out strong and scored midway through the first half. PSG’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto got the ball from a great pass by Elisa de Almeida. Katoto trapped the ball, turned, and shot it into the back of the net with one swift movement. It was a world-class goal from a world-class player. 

La connexion @elisadealmeida ? @MarieKatoto ⚽️

? @thewomenscup pic.twitter.com/Y1XRmjlzVY

— PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) August 22, 2021

The Chicago Red Stars fell by just one goal, and PSG claimed third place.

Racing Louisville FC 2(7) vs. Bayern Munich 2(6) (Final)

This was an amazing game to watch: the hosts of the tournament taking on the German champs. Bayern opened up the scoring in the first half, but Racing Louisville quickly equalized. Then, Racing’s Yuko Nagasato scored an incredible goal putting them in the lead. Nagasato flies through the air to connect with the ball being crossed in from the left side. 

DAT GOAL ?@Yuki_Ogimi gives @RacingLouFC the lead against @FCBfrauen in @thewomenscup ? pic.twitter.com/J6d6zzQahe

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2021

It was an incredible goal, possibly the best of the entire tournament. However, that didn’t put away the game for Louisville. In stoppage time, Bayern came back and forced an own goal on Louisville. 

The game went to PKs, which seemed to last forever as it went to 11 kicks. The 11th kick came from Louisville’s goalie Katie Lund, who came on for an injured Michelle Betos, who blasted it past Bayern’s keeper. 

Play your first pro game. ✅
On your mum's birthday. ✅
Score a goal in a PK shoot-out. ✅
Save four pens as your side win a ?. ✅

Take a bow @kt_lund of @RacingLouFC. ??pic.twitter.com/Qb1LsrY85m

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 22, 2021

All Lund had to do was stop Bayern’s keeper from reciprocating, and she did! Lund’s save won the game for Racing Louisville FC, making it their first tournament win. 

Overall, it was a hard-fought tournament. Racing Louisville looked amazing as the host team for the first-ever Women’s Cup, and it was great to see them win on their home turf. 

Featured image via @RacingLouFC on Twitter

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