More than five weeks since a calf injury sidelined her, Racing Louisville defender Carson Pickett is set to return to the starting lineup for tonight’s match at Chicago.
The 30-year-old Pickett came off the bench in Racing’s Sept. 16 match against Houston but is now ready to reclaim her usual starting spot at left back. She’s one of three changes to Racing’s lineup from the Houston game, with Kayla Fischer and Paige Monaghan also joining the starting group.
Racing (5-5-9, 24 points) takes on Chicago at 8 p.m. ET at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, with NWSL playoff implications. Louisville is two points out of sixth place, the last playoff spot, with three games left. Chicago, in last place, is still only five points out of the playoff picture, making this one of the tightest postseason races in league history.
Pickett is making her 17th start in 18 appearances this regular season with Racing. The back-to-back, reigning NWSL Best XI left back leads Louisville in progressive passes (101) and crosses (103) while playing a key role in Racing’s defensive improvement this year.
The rest of the defensive setup for Racing remains the same from the Houston game: Abby Erceg and Julia Lester line up at center back, with Lauren Milliet on the right flank. Both Milliet and Erceg, who will wear the captain’s arm band today, have played every minute this season.
Katie Lund is ready to make her 46th consecutive regular season start for Racing, a run that stretches back to the end of the 2021 campaign. Including UKG NWSL Challenge Cup contests, Lund will be making her 59th career start. The 26-year-old is aiming for her seventh clean sheet this season.
Jaelin Howell is out for today’s contest, though she is nearing a return for Racing. As a result, Elli Pikkujämsä stands in once again as Louisville’s holding midfielder. She’ll be joined in the middle by Savannah DeMelo and Fischer, who is set for her fifth league start of her rookie year.
Up front, Monaghan will join Kirsten Davis and Nadia Nadim in the attacking three. In three games across all competitions this year vs. Chicago, Monaghan has a goal and an assist. On the subs bench, Parker Goins has two goals against Chicago, and Uchenna Kanu scored her first goal with Racing in a Challenge Cup win here in May.
The player availability report previously included Howell, along with Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges and Rebecca Holloway, as out for today’s game. Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer was placed on the season-ending injury list, while Jess McDonald is on maternity leave. Forward Wang Shuang is on international duty with China.
Racing Louisville Team Sheet at Chicago Red Stars
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
15 – Julia Lester
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
16 – Carson Pickett
4 – Elli Pikkujämsä
7 – Savannah DeMelo
9 – Kayla Fischer
22 – Kirsten Davis
10 – Nadia Nadim
5 – Paige Monaghan
Substitutes: 18 – Hillary Beall, 99 – Olivia Sekany; 11 – Thembi Kgatlana, 13 – Emina Ekic, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 21 – Parker Goins, 26 – Taylor Aylmer, 29 – Uchenna Kanu
