For Racing Louisville FC, the task is simple Sunday afternoon: win and you’re in.
To achieve that goal and make club history, head coach Bev Yanez has opted to reintroduce two vital defensive-minded players back into the lineup for its 3 p.m. meeting against Gotham FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium: Taylor Flint and Arin Wright.
Flint, who scored the second-half winner in the reverse fixture versus Gotham, is back in the starting XI after missing the 1-1 home draw with Chicago Stars FC last week due to yellow card accumulation. The Kentucky native, Wright, will don the captain’s armband in defense as she rejoins the lineup for the first time since Sept. 16.
The two will take the place of Kayla Fischer and Courtney Petersen, both dropping to the list of available substitutes.
The defensive unit is once again led by Jordyn Bloomer, who retains her place between the Racing sticks for the 19th game running. The 28-year-old made five saves in the May win over GFC. The backline in front of her features Lauren Millet, Wright, Ellie Jean, and Janine Sonis, positioned from right to left. Jean appeared in 32 games across two seasons for Gotham, as her versatility helped the club to an NWSL title in 2023.
Rookie Katie O’Kane and Ary Borges will accompany Flint in the Louisville midfield. Sunday will be O’Kane’s fifth consecutive start.
The frontline remains unchanged, as Sarah Weber takes up the No. 9 role, while fellow rookie Ella Hase and the club’s leading goal-scorer Emma Sears provide the threat out wide. Sears received her sixth call-up to the USWNT in the mid-week, during what has been a remarkable sophomore season, highlighted by a single-season club record 10 goals.
Two players make a welcome return to the matchday squad on the bench: Katie Lund and Maddie Pokorny. Both were placed on the season-ending injury list (SEI) on May 7 and activated Friday. The hero from last week’s draw, Bethany Balcer, is also among the substitutes.
Fans can stream the crucial match on the free NWSL+ app or via plus.nwslsoccer.com and on Paramount+. Local radio coverage will air on Sports Talk 790 AM or 790louisville.com.
Team Sheet at Gotham FC
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
16 – Janine Sonis
3 – Arin Wright (c)
5 – Ellie Jean
2 – Lauren Milliet
26 – Taylor Flint
8 – Ary Borges
20 – Katie O’Kane
6 – Ella Hase
42 – Sarah Weber
13 – Emma Sears
Available substitutes: 1 – Katie Lund, 77 – Madison White; 9 – Kayla Fischer, 11 – Courtney Petersen, 12 – Allie George, 14 – Marisa DiGrande, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 32 – Avery Kalitta, 88 – Bethany Balcer
