To say the least, it’s a big day for soccer in Louisville.
For the first time in 20 years, the city is hosting the United States Women’s National Team.
The 2024 Olympic champions, in their final domestic match of the year, play a friendly tonight against Argentina at Lynn Family Stadium, the home of Racing Louisville FC and Louisville City FC. It’s the first time an American national team has taken the pitch at the stadium since it opened four years ago in Butchertown.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The U.S. won the first two matches of its fall tour — both 3-1 victories against Iceland. The first was Oct. 24 in Austin, Texas, and the second was Oct. 27 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tonight’s friendly will be especially meaningful for a couple of players; starting with midfielder Rose Lavelle, a Cincinnati native who will celebrate her 100th USWNT cap not far from where she grew up. Then, there’s forward Emma Sears, who earned a spot on the roster thanks to her breakout rookie season with Racing in the National Women’s Soccer League. In her Stars-and-Stripes debut three days ago, she tallied a goal and an assist.
Follow along below with live updates from Lynn Family Stadium:
The Americans ended their fall tour with a bang in front of 13,543 at Lynn Family Stadium.
Naomi Girma scored two of the team’s three goals, including a brace in the 49th minute, and had a hand in forcing Argentina to concede an own goal just before halftime.
Racing Louisville FC rookie Emma Sears played the entirety of her first start for the U.S. at her home field.
The announced attendance at Lynn Family Stadium for tonight’s USWNT match: 13,543.
It’s the largest women’s soccer crowd in the stadium’s four-year history. The previous record was 11,365 — set this past April at a Racing match held during the Thunder Over Louisville air show.
The overall attendance record remains 14,673. It was set at an Aug. 13, 2022, match between Louisville City FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. LouCity won, 1-0.
Not long after play resumed, Naomi Girma used her head to find the back of the net again.
Her brace in the 49th minute, off a pass from Alyssa Malonson, gave the U.S. a 3-0 lead over Argentina.
The U.S. went into halftime with a 2-0 lead after Argentina conceded an own goal in the 44th minute.
Naomi Girma had the final touch for the Americans off a corner kick from Rose Lavelle.
Naomi Girma will remember this trip to Louisville for a long time.
The defender from San Jose, California, gave the U.S. a 1-0 advantage over Argentina with her first international goal — a header in the 37th minute.
Here’s a look at the goal:
Here’s a look at a video played on the Lynn Family Stadium video board celebrating Rose Lavelle‘s 100th cap:
Here’s a look at the USWNT’s starting lineup for tonight’s friendly, featuring Racing’s Emma Sears for the first time in her young career:
TNT, Universo and truTV will broadcast the USWNT’s match vs. Argentina at Lynn Family Stadium.
The match also will be streamed on Max and Peacock.
Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage)
Forwards: Yazmeen Ryan (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
The USWNT played four games at what’s now L&N Stadium between 1999-2004. It is 3-0-1 in Louisville, with wins over Brazil (1999 Nike U.S. Women’s Cup), Costa Rica and Canada (2000 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup).
The lone tie came against Japan in a 2004 friendly.
Note: All kickoff times are Eastern Standard Time
Saturday, Nov. 30: at England (Wembley Stadium), 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: at the Netherlands (ADO Den Haag Stadium), 3:45 p.m.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
