It’s a landmark day in Racing Louisville’s young history as a club — the first game under new head coach Bev Yanez, a 4 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium against the Orlando Pride to start the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League campaign.
And with that overarching history comes little moments that make bullet points on a big occasion: Yanez’s first walk out with the team, her first substitutions, her first pregame and halftime speeches and, of course, her first starting lineup.
Yanez’s debut Racing Louisville starting 11 is here, featuring some familiar names and some newcomers. Eight players who suited up for Racing last year feature in the season-opening setup, along with two offseason signings and a rookie. The group will be tasked with setting the tone for the 26-game NWSL campaign that culminates with an eight-team playoff in November.
Forward Reilyn Turner, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, starts up front in her first NWSL game. The collegiate All-American and national champion will be joined along the attacking front by fellow newcomer Elexa Bahr, a Colombian international, and Nigerian national teamer Uchenna Kanu. This marks the fifth league start for Kanu, who joined Louisville last year from Mexican powerhouse UANL Tigres.
Midfield maestro Savannah DeMelo makes her 41st regular-season start in Racing Louisville lavender, beginning her third year in the NWSL after two swashbuckling campaigns to open her professional career. The Californian will share central midfield duties with Jordan Baggett and Taylor Flint, who Racing acquired via trade with San Diego this offseason. It will be Baggett’s third regular-season start since joining Louisville last spring, while Flint makes her Racing debut at Lynn Family Stadium against Orlando after scoring her first NWSL goal in her NWSL debut while playing for Orlando against Racing in this same stadium.
The defensive group, which consists of Carson Pickett, Abby Erceg, Elli Pikkujämsä and Lauren Milliet, started seven regular-season games together last season. Erceg, who along with Milliet and goalkeeper Katie Lund played every minute last season, will wear the captain’s arm band in place of club captain Jaelin Howell, who begins the match on the substitutes bench after working her way back from a minor injury.
In goal, the 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Lund is set to make her 49th career start for Racing. Only Milliet, making her 69th appearance for the club, has more time on the field for Racing than Lund.
On the bench, the return of goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer is a welcome sight after the Wisconsin native missed all of last season with a back injury. Five new additions are also on the substitutes list: defenders Ellie Jean and Arin Wright, who is returning from a minor ailment; midfielder Marisa DiGrande; and forwards Linda Motlhalo and Emma Sears. A pair of 2023 super subs, midfielder Kayla Fischer and defender Maddie Pokorny, round out the substitutes bench with Howell.
As noted in the player availability report, Milly Clegg (thigh) and Yuuka Kurosaki (lower leg) are both out for Saturday’s match. Considered questionable for the season opener, Ary Borges (lower leg) and Kirsten Wright (lower leg) were both held out.
Racing Louisville Team Sheet vs. Orlando Pride
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
4 – Elli Pikkujämsä
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
16 – Carson Pickett
19 – Jordan Baggett
7 – Savannah DeMelo
26 – Taylor Flint
23 – Elexa Bahr
29 – Uchenna Kanu
66 – Reilyn Turner
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 3 – Arin Wright, 5 – Ellie Jean, 6 – Jaelin Howell, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 13 – Emma Sears, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 17 – Maddie Pokorny
