You don’t mess with success. Coming off a fourth win in five games, head coach Bev Yanez will stick with the same Racing Louisville FC starting lineup for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. road showdown against the NWSL’s league leader, the Kansas City Current, at CPKC Stadium.
Yanez’s decision comes amid a run where Louisville owns the joint-best point total (12) across the NWSL since the start of May. That places the club even with this week’s competition: Kansas City. Deploying the same lineup as this weekend, Racing captured a 3-2 home victory most recently over the Utah Royals — the second consecutive game in which Louisville has converted three goals.
The forward who tallied the match-winner in that result, Sarah Weber, leads the line once again. Her start against Utah was her first since April 19. Janine Sonis and Emma Sears, the winner of the league’s Week 11 Goal of the Week, will provide the width in attack. As a member of Portland Thorns FC, Sonis recorded two goals at CPKC Stadium in March of last season.
For the fifth match running, Savannah DeMelo, Taylor Flint and Katie O’Kane make up Racing’s midfield trio. DeMelo, despite not scoring last week, was one of Louisville’s most creative threats with a team-high seven shot-creating actions.
Jordyn Bloomer, who is making her sixth start in a row, takes up the goalkeeping duties after a Royals match where she registered a career-high six saves.
The back line grouping led by captain Arin Wright will start its seventh consecutive contest. Ellie Jean completes the center back duo with Wright in her 49th career NWSL game. Lauren Milliet, in her 106th successive start, joins Courtney Petersen as Racing’s fullback pairing.
The reinforcements on the bench include midfielder Ary Borges and Elli Pikkujämsa, who both have a goal to their name in meetings with Kansas City. Recently acquired goalkeeper Cristina Roque is available for selection for the second straight game following a trade with Utah.
Racing’s penultimate match before the league’s summer break will be broadcast live on ION. Viewers can search for their local channel number by typing their zip code here. ION is also available on numerous streaming platforms, including Tubi and YouTube TV.
Fans can also listen to the game on Sports Talk 790 AM or online at 790louisville.iheart.com.
Team Sheet at Kansas City Current
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
