Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer will make her first NWSL regular season start for Racing Louisville FC in Friday’s 8 p.m. ET road test against the Houston Dash at Shell Energy Stadium.
Bloomer, who signed a new two-year deal with the club this offseason, replaces the injured Kaite Lund between the Louisville sticks. The 27-year-old has made three total competitive appearances, and four overall, for Racing. She played twice in last season’s NWSL x Liga MXF Summer Cup, notably making make two saves in a penalty shootout win over the Orlando Pride. She also posted a clean sheet against Colo-Colo in The Women’s Cup last year.
The inclusion of Bloomer into the lineup represents one of Bev Yanez’s two changes for the finale of this two-game road trip. Midfielder Marisa DiGrande takes the place of Ary Borges, who was shown a red card in the aftermath of last Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Portland Thorns FC.
Yanez sticks with consistency in regards to the rest of the lineup after a step forward in performance last week.
The in-form Kayla Fischer leads the line for the visitors after tallying a goal and an assist in the first 32 minutes against the Thorns. She’ll be accompanied in the wide forward positions by Emma Sears and Janine Sonis, who combined on Racing’s third goal at Portland — Sonis with the assist on Sears’ headed goal.
Taylor Flint, the club’s interception leader, will join DiGrande and the attack-minded Savannah DeMelo, who also scored last week, to make up the midfield grouping.
Defensively, Arin Wright will again captain the side alongside Ellie Jean in the middle of Louisville’s back four. Fresh off making history with her 100th appearance for the club, Lauren Milliet will take up the right back role, opposite Courtney Petersen on the left.
Five rookies are among Yanez’s available substitutes, including goalkeeper Maddy Anderson, who will start on the bench for the second time this season.
Friday night’s encounter in Houston will stream on the free NWSL+ app or via plus.nwslsoccer.com. Fans can also listen to the match locally on Sports Talk 790AM.
Team Sheet at Houston Dash
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
11 – Courtney Petersen
3 – Arin Wright (c)
5 – Ellie Jean
2 – Lauren Milliet
26 – Taylor Flint
14 – Marisa DiGrande
7 – Savannah DeMelo
16 – Janine Sonis
13 – Emma Sears
9 – Kayla Fischer
Substitutes: 71 – Maddy Anderson; 4 — Elli Pikkujämsa, 6 — Ella Hase, 12 – Allie George, 15 – Ángela Barón, 19 — Jordan Baggett, 20 — Katie O’Kane, 29 — Uchenna Kanu, 42 — Sarah Weber
