Racing Louisville extends Bev Yanez’s contract until 2026 in the NWSL

Racing Louisville FC has extended the contract of head coach Bev Yanez, ensuring her stay with the team through the 2026 NWSL season. The club announced this on Wednesday. Yanez is one of only two women who work as full-time head coaches in the league, which has 14 teams. She Masar is currently the interim coach of Chicago Stars FC.

It is very important for me to be in a place that values my authenticity and the hard work that the players and staff consistently perform.

Bev Yanez

This is Yanez’s second season as head coach. Racing Louisville boasts a 6-2-5 record (wins-draws-losses), the club’s best start after 13 matches. Currently, the team is in a playoff position (seventh) with 20 points. In the previous four seasons in the NWSL, Racing Louisville finished in ninth place and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Before being named head coach after the 2023 season, Yanez, a former NWSL player, served as an assistant coach at Racing Louisville.

Bev and I have had the pleasure of seeing each other grow on and off the field during these last three years. We have developed a close and productive working relationship, and we make a great team.

Caitlyn Flores Milby, General Manager of Racing Louisville

Flores Milby added that Yanez has built a solid team culture, which has translated into success on the field this season.

Yanez played in two professional leagues in the United States, as well as having stints in Finland, Japan and Australia before retiring in 2020. Immediately after his retirement, Yanez dedicated himself to coaching. He obtained his U.S. Soccer B License through the free course offered to current and former players by the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association. Then, he obtained his A-Senior License in 2023. At 36 years old, Yanez is the third youngest coach in the NWSL.

I firmly believe that I am only as good as the people around me.

Bev Yanez

The coach expressed that the team is in a good moment, with a positive culture on and off the field, and thanked for the opportunity to continue working with the group. Last week, Racing Louisville won The Women’s Cup, a friendly four-team tournament held in Brazil. The team will resume its participation in the NWSL regular season on Friday against the league leader, Kansas City Current.