Defender Ellie Jean is set to make her first start for Racing Louisville in today’s 4 p.m. ET matchup with Bay FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
The 27-year-old, who was acquired via trade from Bay in December, will replace Arin Wright in defense while the Kentucky native serves a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in Seattle. The inclusion of Jean is one of two changes to Bev Yanez’s starting XI. Kayla Fischer will slot back in on the left flank for her 14th start in lavender since being selected 16th overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
The match will be nationally broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and streamed on ESPN+. You can listen to the match on Sports Talk 790 AM, online at 790louisville.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
Racing (3-4-7, 16 points) is positioned in eighth place – a playoff position – with two games left before an extended break from league play. The Louisvillians, who have a better goal differential than the two clubs directly in front of them in the standings, are four points out of sixth position.
Jean, a Connecticut native, made her second appearance off the bench in the 1-1 draw at Seattle. She’ll be joined by Abby Erceg in the middle of the back line, with Carson Pickett and Lauren Millett serving as the fullbacks.
For the 59th straight match, Katie Lund will start for Racing between the posts, just one shutout away from securing sole possession of 11th in NWSL career clean sheets.
In the midfield, leading scorer Savannah DeMelo shifts back into the No. 10 position, pushing Marisa DiGrande into the double pivot for the injured Taylor Flint. DiGrande will be paired with captain Jaelin Howell, who is two appearances away from her 50th in the NWSL and will start her second consecutive game since returning from a calf injury.
Up top, Elexa Bahr leads the line for the third match running. The energetic rookie Emma Sears will be deployed on the right wing with her eyes on another goal against an expansion side, opposite Fischer on the left. Sears is second among all NWSL rookies with three goals, and she added an assist to her ledger last week in Los Angeles.
Good news for Racing: Brazilian international Ary Borges is back in the team for the first time since April 28 after recovering from a knee scope procedure. The midfielder, who has made three appearances this season, was an integral piece of Racing’s midfield trio with DeMelo and Howell last season.
The substitutes bench also includes reserve goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer; midfielders Jordan Baggett, Linda Motlhalo and Yuuka Kurosaki; winger Maddie Pokorny; and forwards Parker Goins, Milly Clegg and Reilyn Turner.
Goalkeeper Olivia Sekany; defenders Wright and Elli Pikkujämsä; midfielder Flint; and forwards Kirsten Wright and Uchenna Kanu were all previously listed as out in the league availability report.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. Bay FC
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
5 – Ellie Jean
20 – Abby Erceg
16 – Carson Pickett
6 – Jaelin Howell (c)
14 – Marisa DiGrande
13 – Emma Sears
7 – Savannah DeMelo
9 – Kayla Fischer
23 – Elexa Bahr
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer (GK); 8 – Ary Borges, 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 11 – Yuuka Kurosaki, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 18 – Milly Clegg, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 66 – Reilyn Turner
