# The Clinical Catalyst: Why Racing Power’s Tomaz Loan is a High-Stakes Power Play

**By Luca Bertolini**  \nPublished July 21, 2026  \nUpdated July 21, 2026

> A 20-year-old striker with a knack for clinical finishes moves from the shadows of Alvalade to the frontlines of Setúbal. Is this the piece that turns Racing Power into a title contender?

Racing Power has officially signaled that they are done playing the role of the underdog. By securing Ana Tomaz on loan from Sporting CP for the 2026/27 season, the Setúbal-based club isn't just adding depth to their roster; they are making a calculated strike at the established hierarchy of Portuguese women's football.

For a club that has completed a meteoric rise from the third division to the Liga in just over three years, this move represents a fundamental shift in philosophy. Racing Power is no longer content with being the "sensação" (sensation) of the league; they are actively hunting for the tools required to compete with the likes of Benfica and Sporting on equal footing.

## A calculated strike at the top

The timing of this acquisition is surgical. Racing Power, which secured an impressive 3rd place finish in their debut Liga season, has proven they possess the tactical discipline to frustrate the elite. However, to transition from a top-four contender to a genuine title threat, the gap in clinical finishing must be bridged. Ana Tomaz is the answer to that specific deficit.

Tomaz arrives with a profile that is increasingly rare: a striker who doesn't require a lengthy bedding-in period to find the net. Her recent track record at Sporting CP provides a blueprint for what Racing Power can expect in the final third.

Competition/LevelAppearancesGoalsEfficiency NoteSporting CP (B Team)166Consistent secondary scoringSporting CP (A Team)52High conversion in limited minutesTwo-Season Total—19Aggregated Sporting outputFor Racing Power, the trade-off is clear. They are sacrificing the potential of a developmental prospect for the immediate impact of a proven finisher. In the high-pressure environment of the Liga, where margins between a title charge and a mid-table slide are razor-thin, Racing Power has chosen the latter.

## The Prospect vs. The Protagonist

To understand why this loan makes sense for both parties, one must look at the developmental crossroads Tomaz currently occupies. At Sporting, she has been a highly-regarded talent, working under the shadow of icons like Cláudia Neto. While her time with the A-team was a source of immense pride, she was often a rotational piece—a player used to maintain momentum rather than drive it.

At Racing Power, the hierarchy shifts. She is not coming to learn the ropes; she is coming to lead the line. This move offers Tomaz the one thing a powerhouse club like Sporting often struggles to provide to its youngest talents: the burden of being the primary offensive engine. It is the difference between being a prospect and being a protagonist.

The player herself seems aware of the weight of this transition.

> Pronta para esta nova etapa. Prometo trabalho, atitude e ambição.

## Infrastructure in flux

There is a fascinating tension at the heart of this deal. Racing Power is a club built on a dream—founded in June 2020 by three friends (Nuno, Ismael, and Pedro) to provide a platform for their daughters to play. It is a project defined by rapid growth and, paradoxically, a lack of permanence. The club has famously "carried its house on its back," moving between locations like Trafaria, Seixal, Arrentela, and most recently, Jamor.

They are a club operating at a high level while still navigating the "growing pains" of infrastructure. They currently lack their own training center, often working in transit between venues. This nomadic existence could easily be a distraction, but in the case of the Tomaz signing, it appears to be a motivator. By bringing in high-caliber players like Tomaz, the management is forcing the club's evolution. You cannot compete for titles while merely surviving; you must invest in the quality of the squad to justify the pursuit of permanent facilities and professionalization.

As the 2026/27 season approaches, the question is no longer whether Racing Power belongs in the conversation with the "big three." The question is whether the clinical edge provided by Tomaz will be enough to turn their tactical grit into silverware.

## Sources

- [flashscore.pt](https://www.flashscore.pt/noticias/futebol-liga-de-futebol-feminino-reportagem-flashscore-racing-power-o-clube-que-quer-deixar-marca-no-futebol-feminino/GA8ZKkDt/) — original
- [Redação Leonino](https://leonino.pt/oficial-futebolista-ex-maritimo-renova-pelo-sporting-quero-levar-a-equipa-a-ganhar-o-campeonato) — original
- [SAPO](https://sapo.pt/artigo/racing-power-garante-ana-tomaz-por-emprestimo-do-sporting-6a5d0b7ec77521aa4657851d) — original
- [Pedro Barata Jornalista](https://app.tribuna.expresso.pt/futebol-feminino/2024-05-18-os-segredos-do-racing-power-o-clube-apenas-de-futebol-feminino-que-vai-ao-jamor-com-a-promessa-de-ganhar-a-taca-e-leva-la-a-gouveia-e-melo-0a26fb80) — original
- [record.pt](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-feminino/detalhe/racing-power-apoia-desenvolvimento-do-futebol-feminino-e-fixa-se-em-setubal) — original
- [sporting.pt](https://www.sporting.pt/pt/noticias/futebol/futebol-feminino/2025-09-25/sporting-cp-renova-contrato-de-formacao-com-ana-tomaz) — original