Fresh off a pivotal win at home, Racing Louisville will stick with its lineup from last weekend to face Seattle Reign for a 7:30 p.m. kick off tonight at Lynn Family Stadium.
The match will be broadcast live on ION and streamed for free on ionnwsl.com. Sports Talk 790 AM will carry the radio broadcast that is also available online at 790louisville.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
Racing (4-6-7, 19 points) moved into eighth position — a playoff spot — with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars this past Saturday. Head coach Bev Yanez dubbed the win “a complete performance.” The Louisvillians will have to win to retain eighth place after Bay topped Portland last night.
Bethany Balcer, who recently joined the team and set up Uchenna Kanu’s goal in her Louisville debut, will start as the main striker again. This match will be Balcer’s first time facing her former team since being traded on Aug. 19.
Over her five-and-a-half years with the Reign, Balcer climbed the ranks to become the club’s second-highest goal scorer and fourth in total minutes played.
Balcer will be flanked by Racing’s joint top scorers: Kanu on the left and Savannah DeMelo opposite the Nigerian international on the right wing. In her return from Olympic duty, Kanu broke her scoring drought for Racing, netting her first goal since April 20. Meanwhile, DeMelo proved to be a key offensive force on the right flank in the previous match, creating a team-high five chances for Louisville.
Marisa DiGrande, who is five appearances away from the NWSL career appearance century mark, slots into the central attacking midfield role once again. At the base of the midfield, providing stability, is the double pivot of Taylor Flint and Ary Borges. This is the Brazilian’s second consecutive league start following her return from a knee injury in April.
Abby Erceg captains the side from the center of defense for the 10th time in league play this season. Erceg has found the back of the net on three occasions vs. Seattle since 2016, tied for the most goals against a single opponent in her career.
Ellie Jean will act as her partner at the heart of the backline, with Kentucky native Arin Wright at left back and the club’s all-time minutes leader Lauren Milliet in her usual right back spot. Milliet is set to make her 71st consecutive start for Racing and 61st since the start of the 2022 season, which is the longest streak in the league.
The Texas native Katie Lund is set to make her 18th NWSL start between the sticks for the Lousvillians in 2024. The goalkeeper is one clean sheet away from moving into sole possession of 11th all-time in league history and two off of drawing even with her career high. She has played every minute of every NWSL game since the final three matches of the 2021 campaign.
Newly acquired winger Janine Beckie and Colombian defender Ángela Barón are available once again off the bench. Barón is still looking to make her NWSL debut, while Beckie came in for the final 21 minutes of her first appearance in a Racing matchday squad.
They’ll be accompanied on the substitutes bench by goalkeeper Olivia Sekany; forwards Kayla Fischer, Elexa Bahr, Parker Goins and Emma Sears; versatile winger Maddie Pokorny; and midfielder Jordan Baggett.
Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, defender Elli Pikkujämsä and forward Kirsten Wright were all previously listed as out in the league availability report. Milly Clegg is in Colombia on international duty, preparing to represent New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. Seattle Reign
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
5 – Ellie Jean
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
3 – Arin Wright
8 – Ary Borges
26 – Taylor Flint
7 – Savannah DeMelo
14 – Marisa DiGrande
29 – Uchenna Kanu
88 – Bethany Balcer
Substitutes: 99 – Olivia Sekany (GK); 9 – Kayla Fischer, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Ángela Barón, 16 – Janine Beckie, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 23 – Elexa Bahr
