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NWSL schedule: 3 critical matchups on the week 12 slate

By Caden Charpentier

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 4: Bruninha #3 of NJ/NY Gotham FC warms up before the National Womens Soccer League match against San Diego Wave at Red Bull Arena on June 4, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 4: Bruninha #3 of NJ/NY Gotham FC warms up before the National Womens Soccer League match against San Diego Wave at Red Bull Arena on June 4, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 3: Kim Bjorkegren of Louisville Racing FC watches his team during a game between Racing Louisville FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on June 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 3: Kim Bjorkegren of Louisville Racing FC watches his team during a game between Racing Louisville FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on June 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

2. NJ/NY Gotham FC at Racing Louisville FC

Date: Sunday, June 18, 4:00 p.m. EST

How to watch: CBS

Nobody knows how to win a UKG Challenge Cup match like Racing Louisville right now. Using two goals in stoppage time of the first 45 minutes, Racing blasted Houston Dash 3-0 in Kentucky on Wednesday evening. Kim Björkegren’s side is unbeaten in seven out of their last eight contests including the Challenge Cup. Although the home side will be coming off a shorter rest than NJ/NY Gotham FC, Racing has shown on the last two occasions that it knows how to earn points after enduring a mid-week contest.

Juan Carlos Amoros’ side may have collected the most points away from home than any other club this season, but the confidence seems to be rising within this Louisville team. Even though they were winless through their first six matches, Savannah DeMelo has guided the team back to where a postseason berth is in the cards.

DeMelo is tied with four other players including Trinity Rodman, and Crystal Dunn for fifth in the league in total goal contributions in the league. The former No. 4 overall selection has netted six goals from outside the box across all competitions, two more than any other player. It may not be her time to make an impact on the USWNT, but due to the fact that the No. 6 role within the team is so wide open, DeMelo is making a case she could very well be the answer.

Amoros’ attack led by Lynn Williams has hit a little lull recently, netting just two goals in their last three games combined. Only one of them was in the run of play. There is far too much talent in the midfield and frontline for this Gotham side to be stymied for much longer. Abby Smith has held firm between the posts, and if the northeast side can produce like it has done in 2023 away from Red Bull Arena in the final third, they should take three points back to New Jersey.

Prediction: NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-1 Racing Louisville FC 

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