Racing Louisville FC forward Emma Sears returns to the starting lineup for Friday night’s game at Shell Energy Stadium against the Houston Dash. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
The burgeoning U.S. Women’s National Team star missed last week’s 2-1 loss at Seattle Reign FC due to an upper-body injury. Sears leads Racing in total goal contributions with a goal and two assists this season.
The 25-year-old, in her third season as a professional, will start on the wing for Racing.
Earlier this week, she was called up to the USWNT for its upcoming camp, which will include three games against Japan.
The rest of the lineup is unchanged from last week.
Sarah Weber, who also earned a call-up to represent the United States at the U-23 level in next week’s international break, starts at center forward. The second-year pro tallied an assist in last week’s loss, and also scored at North Carolina in the season opener.
Ella Hase will start opposite Sears on the wing. Also a second-season pro, Hase leads Racing with seven shots this season, but has yet to find the back of the net.
In the midfield, Kayla Fischer starts in an attacking midfield role yet again. The former Ohio State Buckeye has played all but five minutes this season for Racing, notching a goal and an assist.
Macey Hodge starts for the second straight game behind her. Hodge, a second-year player who joined Racing in an offseason trade from Angel City FC, started for the first time for Racing last week.
Katie O’Kane, who has played every minute this season for Racing, starts alongside Hodge.
The backline is also unchanged, including a second straight start at center back for Taylor Flint. A member of the 2025 NWSL Best XI Second Team, the midfielder deputized capably last week in the back, leading the team with six clearances.
Courtney Petersen and Lauren Milliet start at left and right back, respectively. With captain Arin Wright still sidelined with injury, Milliet wears the armband for the fourth straight game. Petersen and Milliet are among six Racing players to have played every minute this year.
Jordyn Bloomer starts once again in goal. The former Wisconsin Badger did not make a save in last week’s loss, facing just two shots on target.
Taylor White, who started in place of Sears last week, is on the bench. The available substitutes include just one field player who has not yet appeared in an NWSL game: rookie Natalie Mitchell (Virginia Tech). Avery Ciorbu, a second-year player from Michigan, made her NWSL debut last week, while Rachel Hill, a veteran of 10 NWSL seasons, made her club debut in the loss.
Team sheet at Houston Dash
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
8 – Courtney Petersen
26 – Taylor Flint
5 – Ellie Jean
2 – Lauren Milliet (c)
10 – Macey Hodge
20 – Katie O’Kane
9 – Kayla Fischer
6 – Ella Hase
13 – Emma Sears
42 – Sarah Weber
Substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska, 30 – Erynn Floyd; 11 – Taylor White, 19 – Avery Ciorbu, 21 – Rachel Hill, 22 – Natalie Mitchell, 23 – Macy Blackburn, 88 – Audrey McKeen
