Makenna Morris is back in the Racing Louisville FC starting lineup as head coach Bev Yanez makes one tweak ahead of a 4 p.m. ET meeting with the North Carolina Courage at Lynn Family Stadium
The game will air nationally on ION as the opener of the network’s Saturday triple-header. Local radio coverage can be found on Sports Talk 790 AM.
Morris re-enters the Racing lineup with the club looking to extend its home unbeaten run to seven games, dating back to last season. She’ll slot in on the left wing, replacing the injured Ella Hase. The 23-year-old Hase misses out due to a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s 2-1 defeat at Utah Royals FC.
Beyond Morris’ return, the rest of the lineup remains the same from the Utah visit.
Forward Emma Sears will sit opposite Morris, on the right, going forward. In her career against the Courage, Sears has almost always produced up front, tallying four goals in five league games. Earlier this season, the Ohio State product assisted on Racing’s goal at North Carolina — one finished off by Sarah Weber.
After netting her second goal of the season last Sunday, Kayla Fischer keeps her place as Racing’s center forward. Fischer’s next goal would draw her even with her single-season career high (3).
Jordyn Bloomer anchors the Louisville defense between the sticks once again, making her 10th start of the campaign.
Captain Arin Wright and Courtney Petersen form the center back pair ahead of Bloomer, while club original Lauren Milliet and Quincy McMahon take up the fullback roles on the right and left, respectively.
Similar to the defense, the midfield is unchanged. It’ll again feature Taylor Flint, the NWSL’s interception leader (33), Macey Hodge and Katie O’Kane providing another threat in attack. Flint is the only Racing field player to play every minute of the campaign to date (810 minutes).
Six rookies headline the options off the bench, including University of Louisville goalkeeping product Erynn Floyd. She returns to the substitutes list for the first time since April 3.
Team sheet vs. North Carolina Courage
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
12 – Quincy McMahon
8 – Courtney Petersen
3 – Arin Wright (c)
2 – Lauren Milliet
26 – Taylor Flint
10 – Macey Hodge
20 – Katie O’Kane
4 – Makenna Morris
9 – Kayla Fischer
13 – Emma Sears
Available substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska, 30 – Erynn Floyd; 11 – Taylor White, 15 – Mirann Gacioch, 16 – Maja Lardner, 19 – Avery Ciorbu, 21 – Rachel Hill, 23 – Macy Blackburn, 88 – Audrey McKeen
