Racing Louisville is set to play the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup final with the same starting lineup from Wednesday’s semifinal win, with coach Kim Björkegren making no changes to his XI selection.
Racing and the North Carolina Courage kick off at 12:37 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park, with CBS broadcasting the final nationally and Paramount+ carrying the live stream. It’s the first time Racing will compete in an NWSL-sponsored knockout tournament final.
To get to the final, Racing has relied on a stout defense led by vice-captain Abby Erceg and goalkeeper Katie Lund, who in the 1-0 victory at OL Reign in Seattle on Wednesday registered her fourth shutout of the competition. Lund will start her 48th consecutive game for Racing and eighth of this year’s Challenge Cup.
Erceg, who won the Challenge Cup last year with North Carolina, now gets the chance to win the trophy with Racing and knock off her old team. The center back will be joined along the back line by her fellow regular-season iron woman Lauren Milliet, who like Erceg once played for the Courage. Julia Lester and Rebecca Holloway once again pair with Erceg and Milliet in front of Lund.
The midfield three remains the same, including the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Savannah DeMelo, Brazil star Ary Borges and Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä, who has filled in well for captain Jaelin Howell. The normal starter at defensive midfielder, Howell was ruled out for the final because of injury.
Kirsten Davis, the game-winning goal scorer in Seattle, leads the line for Racing, with Paige Monaghan and Thembi Kgatlana flanking her.
Left back Carson Pickett, midfielder Jordan Baggett, forward Jess McDonald and goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer were all previously listed as out.
The game format will be the same for the final as it was for the semifinal: If the match is tied after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shootout.
Racing Louisville Team Sheet at North Carolina Courage
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
15 – Julia Lester
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
25 – Rebecca Holloway
4 – Elli Pikkujämsä
7 – Savannah DeMelo
8 – Ary Borges
11 – Thembi Kgatlana
5 – Paige Monaghan
22 – Kirsten Davis
Substitutes: 18 – Hillary Beall; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 10 – Nadia Nadim, 13 – Emina Ekic, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 21 – Parker Goins, 25 – Taylor Aylmer, 29 – Uchenna Kanu
