With the goal of ending a three-game losing streak, Racing Louisville FC head coach Bev Yanez has made one change to her starting XI ahead of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. home game against Angel City FC, with rookie Sarah Weber earning the nod center forward.
Weber and Kayla Fischer have shared duty at the position all year. Fischer started the first 10 games of the season before a four-game suspension following a red card incident in a 3-2 victory at Angel City on May 24. Since then, though, Weber has had the edge as Saturday marks her ninth start in the last 12 games.
The 22-year-old former Nebraska Cornhusker registered her first assist last week, in a 3-2 loss to the Utah Royals. Aside from Weber’s start, Racing Louisville is unchanged from the Utah game.
Jordyn Bloomer will start her 16th straight game Saturday in goal.
Captain Arin Wright remains sidelined with injury, meaning starting right back Janine Sonis will wear the armband. Makenna Morris will start opposite Sonis at left back, with Courtney Petersen replacing Wright at left center back. Ellie Jean will pair with Petersen at right center back.
With Savanna DeMelo still unavailable following her medical emergency at Seattle, Katie O’Kane will start in the midfield alongside regular starters Taylor Flint and Ary Borges. The 23-year-old rookie, a former Utah Ute, O’Kane has tallied one goal and one assist this year. Flint and Borges will start together for the 10th time this season.
Ella Hase and Emma Sears, two of the fastest players in the NWSL, will start either side of Weber in the attack, offering pace in behind and a threat in transition.
On the bench, Racing remains shorthanded. Two goalkeepers will dress for the game, Madison White and Cristina Roque. Just four of Racing’s eight available substitutes have played this season.
Notably, Lauren Milliet has been cleared for more minutes as she continues to recover from a shoulder injury. She played 21 minutes off the bench last week.
Team sheet vs. Angel City FC
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
4 – Makenna Morris
11 – Courtney Petersen
5 – Ellie Jean
16 – Janine Sonis (c)
26 – Taylor Flint
8 – Ary Borges
20 – Katie O’Kane
6 – Ella Hase
13 – Emma Sears
42 – Sarah Weber
Available substitutes: 33 – Cristina Roque, 77 – Madison White; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 12 – Allie George, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 32 – Avery Kalitta, 88 – Bethany Balcer
