LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Emina Ekic has always had her heart set on playing pro soccer. So when the National Women’s Soccer League expansion team was launched and Racing Louisville FC drafted Ekic, her dream became a reality.

“It's awesome to be home and represent the city and have like my whole career based here which I think is something special,” Emina Ekic, forward for Racing Louisville FC said.

A Louisville native, Ekic is a graduate from duPont Manual High School and The University of Louisville. Head coach Christy Holly believes Ekic is a role-model to other girls and boys hoping to follow in her footsteps.

“We’re talking about the younger generation, they’ve got someone that walks and talks and looks like them, sleeps in the same city as them, played in the same academies, played in the same high schools, played at the college right here. So that person becomes a little bit more real to them,” Holly said.

Racing Louisville FC practicing for regular season match. (Spectrum News 1/Erin Wilson)

Ekic is the only Cardinals player ever to be selected in the NWSL draft. But her skills on the field aren’t the only thing that makes her a hometown hero. Ekic is the go-to when it comes to finding the best spot to eat.

“I think that I can connect with the city and represent and bring the two together. I’m really just a hotspot for food, so it's like, 'what's a good Mexican place where can we get ice cream?'”

The 2020 ACC offensive player of the year hopes she inspires others to never give up.

“There's a little state of awe like when you see Carli Lloyd next to you and it's just like wow. But then like you’re excited to be competing against your role-models because im role-models for girls now but maybe one day they'll be playing with or against me just like i am playing against my role models so i think that's really cool,” Ekic said.

Racing Louisville FC is set to start their regular season on May 15 as they host Kansas City.