Taylor Aylmer is set to make her first NWSL regular season start for Racing Louisville tonight when the hosts take on the Orlando Pride at Lynn Family Stadium.
The 25-year-old central midfielder who signed with Racing during the summer has previously appeared in one regular season game, but she started one UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match and came on as a substitute in another.
She is one of two changes to coach Kim Björkegren’s lineup from last weekend’s loss at Chicago, along with forward Thembi Kgatlana. Club captain Jaelin Howell is on the subs bench, nearing her first minutes since the 1-1 draw vs. Angel City on Aug. 19.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with Paramount+ carrying the stream. Racing must win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Racing’s midfield is set up with a double pivot between Aylmer and Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä, with Savannah DeMelo occupying the more attacking role ahead of them. It will be the first time this year the trio has occupied the midfield together.
Up front, Kgatlana is making her sixth regular season start for Louisville, rejoining the attacking three after coming off the bench last week in Chicago. The South Africa star will partner with Paige Monaghan and Nadia Nadim, who last scored with Racing in a win over Orlando last September.
Defensively, no changes were made to the back four. Abby Erceg will wear the captain’s arm band in place of Howell, teaming up with Carson Pickett, Julia Lester and Lauren Milliet. The 26-year-old Milliet will be making her 62nd regular season start in a Racing jersey dating back to 2021.
Versatile defender Rebecca Holloway is back on the bench after missing last week’s match with an injury. Kirsten Davis, Kayla Fischer, Emina Ekic, Maddie Pokorny and goalkeepers Hillary Beall and Olivia Sekany will be available off the subs bench, too.
The player availability report included Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges and Parker Goins as out for today’s game through injury, while Uchenna Kanu is suspended for the match. 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 vs. Orlando Pride
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
15 – Julia Lester
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
16 – Carson Pickett
4 – Elli Pikkujämsä
26 – Taylor Aylmer
7 – Savannah DeMelo
11 – Thembi Kgatlana
10 – Nadia Nadim
5 – Paige Monaghan
Substitutes: 18 – Hillary Beall, 99 – Olivia Sekany; 6 – Jaelin Howell, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 13 – Emina Ekic, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 22 – Kirsten Davis, 25 – Rebecca Holloway
