Rookie forward Sarah Weber will start Friday for Racing Louisville FC for the first time since April 19 as her team takes on the Utah Royals at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The rest of Racing Louisville’s starting lineup remains unchanged from a 3-2 win last time out at Angel City FC.
Weber, out of the University of Nebraska, has three starts this season, but she’s more frequently come off the bench — seven of her 10 appearances were as a reserve.
She’s yet to find the back of the net as a pro but she was prolific in the college ranks, scoring 43 goals for the Cornhuskers.
Weber will be flanked by Emma Sears and Janine Sonis, who are both coming off of international duty over the recent FIFA break. Sears saw action off the bench for the USWNT against China PR, while Sonis notably had four assists in a Canadian win over Haiti.
The midfield of Savannah DeMelo, Katie O’Kane and Taylor Flint starts together for the fouth-straight game. Notably, Flint was named to the NWSL Best XI for May after scoring twice in the month.
The back four of Courtney Petersen, Arin Wright, Ellie Jean and Lauren Milliet stays together for the sixth-straight game. They play in front of Jordyn Bloomer, who makes her fifth-consecutive start.
On the bench, head coach Bev Yanez will have options such as Ella Hase and Uchenna Kanu, while newly acquired goalkeeper Cristina Roque is available for selection just days after joining Louisville in a trade from Utah.
A win would be Racing’s fourth in five games, a feat the club has never managed before.
Team Sheet vs. Utah Royals
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
11 – Courtney Petersen
3 – Arin Wright (c)
5 – Ellie Jean
2 – Lauren Milliet
26 – Taylor Flint
20 – Katie O’Kane
7 – Savannah DeMelo
16 – Janine Sonis
13 – Emma Sears
42 – Sarah Weber
Substitutes: 33 – Cristina Roque; 4 – Elli Pikkujämsa, 6 – Ella Hase, 8 – Ary Borges, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 15 – Ángela Barón, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 29 – Uchenna Kanu, 32 – Avery Kalitta
