Taylor Flint returned to her spot in Racing Louisville’s starting lineup as one of three changes head coach Bev Yanez made to her team for a 5 p.m. clash with the Washington Spirit at Audi Field.
The 25-year-old Flint, who missed last week’s match through suspension from yellow card accumulation, slots back into Louisville’s midfield. Forward Kayla Fischer is set to make her first league start since July 7, while defender Ellie Jean rejoins Racing’s backline.
Louisville’s 10th regular season meeting with the Spirit will be broadcast on WAVE’s Bounce TV (channel 3.2). Fans can also stream it on the free NWSL+ app or via plus.nwslsoccer.com. You can listen to the match on Talk Radio 1080 AM, online at talkradio1080.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
Racing Louisville (6-10-7, 25 points) heads into the game in ninth position – just three points below the playoff cutline. A win in the nation’s capital would vault the Louisvillians above Bay FC and into the final postseason place – eighth position – after Bay lost last night to Kansas City.
Goalkeeper Katie Lund will start her 72nd game in lavender, taking on her original team in Washington.
Jean slides back into the center-back position, partnering with captain Abby Erceg. It’s the fourth time in NWSL play this season that Jean and Erceg are starting as the defensive anchors. Arin Wright moved to the left back position, with Lauren Milliet out right in her 92nd league game for Louisville.
Coming off her milestone 100th NWSL outing, Marisa DiGrande keeps her place in Racing’s midfield. She’ll be joined in the middle by Flint, Janine Beckie and Brazilian Ary Borges. Flint has tallied two goals vs. Washington in the past – one as a member of San Diego last year and the other with Orlando in 2021.
Bethany Balcer, who scored against Washington in March while playing for Seattle Reign, spearheads the attack alongside the energetic Fischer.
Petersen, Savannah DeMelo and rookie Emma Sears headline the substitutes bench for Yanez’s squad. DeMelo scored on a free kick against the Spirit in May, rocketing in a curving shot from 25 yards out.
The rest of the available substitutes include reserve goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer; defender Ángela Barón; midfielder Linda Motlhalo; forwards Elexa Bahr and Parker Goins; and winger Maddie Pokorny.
Defender Elli Pikkujämsä and forwards Uchenna Kanu and Kirsten Wright were all previously listed as out in the league availability report.
Racing Louisville lineup at Washington Spirit
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
5 – Ellie Jean
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
3 – Arin Wright
8 – Ary Borges
14 – Marisa DiGrande
16 – Janine Beckie
26 – Taylor Flint
9 – Kayla Fischer
88 – Bethany Balcer
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer (GK); 7 – Savannah DeMelo, 10 – Linda Motlhalo, 11 – Courtney Petersen, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Ángela Barón, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 21 – Parker Goins, 23 – Elexa Bahr
