Racing Louisville FC captain Jaelin Howell is one of the substitutes for Racing’s home opener today vs. Washington, a matchup set for a 3 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium and broadcast on Paramount+.
Howell missed the season opener at Houston with a left leg injury but has worked her way back into the team for Racing’s second match of the young 2023 campaign. The second-year midfielder ranked second among rookies last season in minutes played, only trailing her Racing teammate, Savannah DeMelo.
The second starting XI of the year for Racing is unchanged from Louisville’s 0-0 draw at Houston, with Abby Erceg wearing the captain’s arm band in Howell’s place and leading the back line.
Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä slots in as Racing’s holding midfielder again, filling Howell’s role. And Rebecca Holloway is back in the starting lineup in the spot Pikkujämsä would normally occupy at center back.
Seven newcomers to Racing’s roster made their debuts last week, but this will be the first time Erceg, Pikkujämsä, Carson Pickett, Ary Borges and Uchenna Kanu play in front of a home Louisville crowd. The other two new additions who debuted last week are available off the bench – rookie Kayla Fischer and versatile winger Paige Monaghan.
New goalkeeper Olivia Sekany, who signed a one-year contract with Racing on Friday, is Louisville’s backup goalkeeper with Jordyn Bloomer out with a back ailment.
Lauren Milliet will add to her consecutive starts streak dating back to Aug. 29, 2021, making her 33rd straight start for Racing. Today’s match will also mark Milliet’s 50th regular-season NWSL appearance. The Colorado native is Racing’s all-time appearances leader.
Emina Ekic, Thembi Kgatlana, Julia Lester and Nadia Nadim were previously listed as out due to injury.
The match will stream live on Paramount+ for U.S. viewers and via NWSLSoccer.com for international observers.
Racing Team Sheet vs. Washington Spirit
1 — Katie Lund
16 — Carson Pickett
20 — Abby Erceg (c)
25 — Rebecca Holloway
2 — Lauren Milliet
4 — Elli Pikkujämsä
7 — Savannah DeMelo
8 — Ary Borges
14 — Jess McDonald
29 — Uchenna Kanu
77 — Wang Shuang
Substitutes: 99 – Olivia Sekany (GK), 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 5 – Paige Monaghan, 6 – Jaelin Howell, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 21 – Parker Goins, 22 – Kirsten Davis, 27 – Alex Chidiac, 44 – Satara Murray
