Elexa Bahr and Uchenna Kanu return to the starting lineup for Racing Louisville’s 10 p.m. ET contest at Angel City at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The duo marks the only changes to coach Bev Yanez’s starting XI after a frustrating 2-0 loss to NJ/NY Gotham this past weekend. Bahr became the first NWSL player in eight years to register a goal and an assist their NWSL debut, while Kanu’s four goals rank 10th in the league’s golden boot race.
The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network immediately following the Louisville City at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC contest that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can follow the radio broadcast of the game on News Talk 1080 AM, online at talkradio1080.iheart.com or the iHeart Radio app.
Racing (3-3-6, 15 points) currently holds eighth place — playoff position — and will even out with the rest of the league on games played (13) after Wednesday’s match. To get a result far from home, Louisville turns to an otherwise familiar setup.
Kanu will start out left, with Bahr at center forward. Kayla Fischer moves from left wing to the right in making her eighth start of the season.
Center back Abby Erceg will once again wear the captain’s arm band with club captain Jaelin Howell included in the substitutes bench to open the game. Erceg will pair with Arin Wright anchoring Racing’s defense. Both players recently hit new career milestones, with Erceg passing 16,000 minutes played and Wright moving past 13,000.
The league leader in chances created and key passes, Carson Pickett will start out on the left side. Both Erceg and Pickett have played every minute of the 2024 campaign. Lauren Milliet, the club’s all-time appearances, minutes and starts leader who has played all but one minute this year, will feature as the right back.
The midfield double pivot remains the same, with Marisa DiGrande partnering with Taylor Flint for the seventh consecutive game. Savannah DeMelo, whose five goals tie her for fifth in the NWSL golden boot race, starts ahead of the two as the midfield playmaker and is primed for her 50th appearance as a pro. DeMelo is the club’s all-time leader in goals (14) and assists (5) and can set a new career mark for goals in a season (would be six) with her next score.
Howell recently returned to full participation after a calf injury sidelined her for six weeks. She’s joined on the substitutes bench by goalkeeper Madison White; defender Ellie Jean; midfielders Jordan Baggett and Linda Motlhalo; winger Maddie Pokorny; and forwards Parker Goins, Emma Sears and Reilyn Turner.
Five players remain on Racing’s previously announced availability report: goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer (ankle), midfielder Ary Borges (knee), defender Elli Pikkujämsä (SEI-knee), goalkeeper Olivia Sekany (D45-knee) and forward Kirsten Wright (D45-knee).
Racing Louisville lineup at Angel City
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
3 – Arin Wright
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
16 – Carson Pickett
7 – Savannah DeMelo
14 – Marisa DiGrande
26 – Taylor Flint
9 – Kayla Fischer
23 – Elexa Bahr
29 – Uchenna Kanu
Substitutes: 77 – Madison White (GK); 5 – Ellie Jean, 6 – Jaelin Howell, 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 13 – Emma Sears, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 66 – Reilyn Turner
