Racing Louisville FC rookie forward Sarah Weber scored the winning goal in last week’s victory over Angel City FC but is unavailable for tonight’s trip to the North Carolina Courage due to an excused absence.
Kayla Fischer will fill the void as the lone change for Racing for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff at First Horizon Stadium in Cary, N.C.
This will be the 14th start of the season for the 25-year-old Fischer, a third-year pro from Ohio State. Her two goals this season are tied for fourth most in the squad. She’s also contributed two assists, tied for third most.
The rest of head coach Bev Yanez’s starting lineup is unchanged from last week’s important home win.
Jordyn Bloomer made a pair of saves in her fourth NWSL clean sheet last week. She starts for the 17th-straight game after taking over as the club’s starter in May.
Makenna Morris will make her fourth start for Racing since joining in an August trade, this time at left back. Janine Sonis retains her place at right back for the 10th-straight game, dating to the July international break. Sonis will wear the captain’s armband, with Arin Wright still sidelined with an injury.
The center back pairing of Courtney Petersen and Ellie Jean starts together for the third-straight game and fourth overall.
Taylor Flint anchors the midfield alongside Brazilian international Ary Borges. Rookie Katie O’Kane starts in a more advanced, attacking role. For O’Kane, this marks her third straight start, all since Savannah DeMelo suffered a medical emergency on the field at the Seattle Reign.
With Fischer spearheading the front three, speedsters Ella Hase and Emma Sears will flank her. The rookie Hase has cemented herself in the starting lineup. This will be her 10th straight start since moving up the field from fullback midway through this season. Sears, meanwhile, is the only Louisville player to start every game this season.
On the bench, Lauren Milliet is available for the third-straight game after returning from a July shoulder injury. She’s played a combined 53 minutes off the bench over the last two games.
Marisa DiGrande (616 minutes) and Bethany Balcer (21 mins) are the only other players available for Louisville that have seen any action this season. Goalkeeper Madison White, defender Allie George and midfielder Avery Kalitta would each make their NWSL debuts if they see the field, while goalkeeper Cristina Roque would be making her competitive Racing Louisville debut.
Racing (8-9-5, 29 points) and North Carolina (7-8-7, 28 points) are neck and neck for the final playoff position in the NWSL. Racing currently holds it, in eighth place, with the Courage in ninth.
The game will air nationally on ION, with local radio coverage on Sports Talk 790 AM.
Team Sheet at North Carolina Courage
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
9 – Kayla Fischer
Available substitutes: 33 – Cristina Roque, 77 – Madison White; 2 – Lauren Milliet, 12 – Allie George, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 32 – Avery Kalitta, 88 – Bethany Balcer
