Racing Louisville FC forward Emina Ekic made the bench for the first time this season for Wednesday’s 8 p.m. kickoff against the Houston Dash in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Lynn Family Stadium.
Ekic has missed the first half of the 2023 NWSL season after suffering an ankle injury in late December while on loan with Melbourne City FC in Australia.
In her first two years with Racing, the Louisville native has appeared in 44 matches for the club, 34 in the regular season and 10 in the Challenge Cup. She has found the back of the next four times, including her spectacular free kick finish against the Chicago Red Stars during last season’s Challenge Cup.
As for the starting 11, Racing sees three changes to the group that began last Friday’s draw with the San Diego Wave as Paige Monaghan and Uchenna Kanu all add to the attack. This marks Kanu’s first start since Racing last played in the Challenge Cup when she scored her first club goal against the Chicago Red Stars. Savannah DeMelo, who leads the NWSL with five points in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, will shift up to the right wing.
Coming off a clean sheet against the top team in the league, left back Carson Pickett, right back Lauren Milliet and center backs Abby Erceg and Julia Lester will start the game with goalkeeper Katie Lund.
Rookie Kayla Fischer joins the midfield of Jaelin Howell and Ary Borges. This marks Fischer’s first start since the May 6 match against the Orlando Pride.
Jordyn Bloomer, Jess McDonald and Nadia Nadim were all previously listed as out on the player availability report.
Racing Team Sheet vs. Houston
1 – Katie Lund
16 – Carson Pickett
20 – Abby Erceg
15 – Julia Lester
2 – Lauren Milliet
6 – Jaelin Howell (c)
7 – Savannah DeMelo
8 – Ary Borges
5 – Paige Monaghan
29 – Uchenna Kanu
9 – Kayla Fischer
Substitutes: 99 – Olivia Sekany; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä, 11 – Thembi Kgatlana, 13 – Emina Ekic, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 77 – Wang Shuang
