Brazilian star Ary Borges is primed to make her first start of the 2024 season for Racing Louisville in today’s match against Utah Royals, set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET at Lynn Family Stadium. Her inclusion is the only change coach Bev Yanez made to Racing’s starting lineup after last weekend’s 0-0 draw against San Diego.
Borges returned to training in early April after spraining her ankle while playing in the 2024 W Gold Cup with Brazil. The 24-year-old made her first appearance this year for Racing against San Diego, playing 11 minutes plus stoppage time as a substitute.
The match will be broadcast over the air on WAVE’s The 365 channel and streamed on the WAVE News app, WAVE3.com or NWSL+ for free with a sign-up. Fans can access NWSL+ online at plus.nwslsoccer.com or via the app on Apple, Fire or Roku services. News Talk 1080 AM or online at talkradio1080.iheart.com, and the iHeart Radio app will carry the radio broadcast.
It is expected to be a record crowd for a Racing Louisville game at Lynn Family Stadium, far surpassing the previous mark of 10,214 fans set last August.
In addition to Borges, defender Arin Wright and midfielder Savannah DeMelo are set to make their second consecutive starts. Wright missed the March 30 match at Portland because of an ankle sprain, while DeMelo missed both that game and March 23 at Houston because of muscle tightness.
This is Wright’s 145th career start in the NWSL. It’s DeMelo’s 43rd with Racing (and in the NWSL). The standout midfielder is a goal away from moving into a tie to be Racing’s all-time leading scorer and an assist away from becoming Racing’s all-time assists leader.
Along the back line, Wright is partnering with veteran center back Abby Erceg in the middle. Erceg has played every minute of every regular-season match since Racing landed her via trade last offseason, with 26 matches in Racing colors. On the left, Carson Pickett brings one of the best passing arsenals in the league, ranking fifth in the NWSL in key passes, tying for sixth in chances created, 11th in passes into the final third and 12th in progressive passes. Her fellow fullback, Lauren Milliet, ranks 10th in progressive passes and is set to make her club-high 68th start in a Racing Louisville jersey.
Joining DeMelo in the midfield is what has emerged as one of the most disruptive midfield pairings in the NWSL – Taylor Flint and captain Jaelin Howell. Flint ranks second in the NWSL in average match rating, per FotMob, as well as first in aerial duels won, second in the NWSL in interceptions per 90 minutes, second in tackles won and third in ball recoveries. Howell is eighth in blocked shots per 90, 17th in successful tackles per 90 and 18th in interceptions per 90.
In goal, Katie Lund will make her 53rd regular-season appearance and start for Racing after recording her 14th career clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with San Diego.
The substitutes list also includes goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer; defenders Ellie Jean and Maddie Pokorny; midfielders Jordan Baggett, Marisa DiGrande and Kayla Fischer; and forwards Parker Goins, Emma Sears and Reilyn Turner.
Yuuka Kurosaki, Elli Pikkujämsä and Kirsten Wright were previously announced as out on Racing’s availability report.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. Utah Royals
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
3 – Arin Wright
6 – Jaelin Howell (c)
7 – Savannah DeMelo
8 – Ary Borges
16 – Carson Pickett
20 – Abby Erceg
23 – Elexa Bahr
26 – Taylor Flint
29 – Uchenna Kanu
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 5 – Ellie Jean, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 13 – Emma Sears, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 21 – Parker Goins, 66 – Reilyn Turner