SYDNEY — The noise of celebrations could be heard from within the confines of Racing Louisville’s training ground on July 24. As Ary Borges netted three goals for Brazil against Panama at the Women’s World Cup, her club teammates celebrated each as if they had scored them themselves.
“I was watching the game from my office and that’s close to the girls’ locker room, and they were just screaming as they watched the game together,” Racing head coach Kim Bjorkegren tells ESPN. “And I was so happy for her. Her teammates also think that she’s so talented.”
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At this point, Bjorkegren breaks out laughing. “But also, they’re like, ah come on, Ari! You need to stop! This is too much!”
The starting midfield three for Racing have their own WhatsApp group. It’s an elite group, too: Brazil midfielder Borges, USWNT midfielder Savannah DeMelo and U.S.-capped club captain Jaelin Howell. “We were texting on the group chat after she scored her three goals,” Howell tells ESPN. “And there’s always banter and stuff, but I just said, ‘congrats.’ It was just unreal seeing her live out her dream. And all she said later was ‘I’m still in disbelief.’ She’s just so humble.”
