NWSL: Racing Louisville FC resigns three more players before free agency window
- Dan Stickradt
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing Louisville FC has signed defender Courtney Petersen, midfielder Katie O’Kane and forward Kayla Fischer to new contracts that will keep them with the club through the 2027 NWSL season.
The deals come ahead of the NWSL free agency window, which opens Tuesday.
All three players have played key roles this season as Racing (6-5-2, 20 points) pushes toward the playoffs. Louisville sits seventh in the table — above the playoff line — and is enjoying its best campaign in club history, averaging 1.54 points per match. One more victory would tie Racing's single-season win record.
“We’re thrilled to keep Courtney, Katie and Kayla in Louisville for years to come,” said Racing general manager Caitlyn Flores Milby. “They’ve each contributed significantly to our success this season and we see them as integral parts of our winning foundation.”
Petersen, 27, has started 12 of 13 matches this season after arriving via trade from Orlando late in 2024. The left back has two assists this year, matching the second-best mark of her career and tying her most starts in a season since her rookie year in 2021.
O’Kane, 23, has emerged as a regular contributor in her rookie campaign. The University of Utah product initially joined Racing as a non-roster invitee during preseason and has since started eight of 13 appearances, adding one assist.
Fischer, 25, is in her third year with Racing. The former Ohio State standout has featured in 44 regular season matches for the club, with three goals and four assists. She has transitioned to center forward this season, starting all 10 games in which she’s appeared, scoring twice and assisting twice as part of Racing’s high-pressing attack.
Other Racing players under contract through 2025 but not yet signed beyond this season include Jordan Baggett, Elexa Bahr, Bethany Balcer, Ary Borges, Marisa DiGrande, Taylor Flint, Allie George, Ellie Jean, Uchenna Kanu, Katie Lund, Elli Pikkujämsä, Maddie Pokorny, Olivia Sekany and Madison White.
Under the NWSL’s collective bargaining agreement with the Players Association, eligible free agents may negotiate terms for the 2026 season with Racing or other clubs at any time.
ABOUT RACING LOUISVILLE FC:
Founded in 2021, Racing Louisville competes in the National Women’s Soccer League — widely considered the most competitive women’s soccer league in the world. The club plays at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville’s Butchertown neighborhood and trains at the nearby Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, which it shares with USL Championship side Louisville City FC. For more information, visit RacingLouFC.com or follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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