Back above the playoff cutline, Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez is leaning on continuity, naming an identical starting lineup from the past two wins ahead of the 7 p.m. kickoff tonight against the Utah Royals at America First Field.
Racing’s second meeting with Utah will be broadcast on WAVE’s Bounce TV (channel 3.2). Fans can also stream it on the free NWSL+ app or via plus.nwslsoccer.com. You can listen to the match on Talk Radio 1080 AM, online at talkradio1080.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
Racing Louisville (6-8-7, 25 points) could move into seventh place with a win in Utah and a San Diego victory over Portland. To get there, the Louisvillians will try to repeat their recent successes with the same group starting out.
Abby Erceg, who just moved into second all-time in NWSL career minutes, captains the side at the center of defense, opposite her partner and Kentucky native Arin Wright. Newly acquired Courtney Petersen retains her left-back position for the third consecutive match, while Lauren Milliet will occupy the right flank in her 90th career appearance for Racing.
The in-form Katie Lund stands between the posts for the 70th time in lavender, aiming to tally her fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
Brazilian international Ary Borges and the league’s most unrelenting aerial presence, Taylor Flint, make up the double pivot in central midfield. Just ahead of the pairing, in the central attacking midfield role, Marisa DiGrande is set for her 99th NWSL regular season outing.
Leading the attack is Bethany Balcer, who has found the back of the net twice in as many games. The Michigan native has two goals and an assist in her first five games with Racing. She’ll be flanked by Louisville’s top chance creator against North Carolina, Savannah DeMelo, on the right wing, while Canadian international Janine Beckie operates on the left.
Kayla Fischer returns to the matchday squad as a substitute after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation. Her fellow attacker, Emma Sears, who scored her first NWSL goal vs. Utah on April 20, also remains among the Racing substitutes.
The two Ohio natives start on the bench alongside goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer; defenders Ellie Jean and Ángela Barón; forwards Elexa Bahr and Parker Goins; winger Maddie Pokorny; and midfielder Jordan Baggett.
Defender Elli Pikkujämsä and forwards Uchenna Kanu and Kirsten Wright were all previously listed as out in the league availability report.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. Utah Royals
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
3 – Arin Wright
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
11 – Courtney Petersen
8 – Ary Borges
26 – Taylor Flint
7 – Savannah DeMelo
14 – Marisa DiGrande
16 – Janine Beckie
88 – Bethany Balcer
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer (GK); 5 – Ellie Jean, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Ángela Barón, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 23 – Elexa Bahr
