Racing Louisville FC rookie defender Mirann Gacioch is set to make her second career NWSL appearances Sunday night, as Racing visits the Portland Thorns.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Portland’s Providence Park. The game will stream on Victory+ with local radio coverage airing on SportsTalk 790.
Gacioch has made one appearance for Racing, in the second game of the season on March 20. The former Ohio State Buckeye played 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw.
That night Gacioch lined up at left back. Tonight, it will be center back. With an ankle injury, captain Arin Wright will be on the bench to start Sunday’s game, opening up a spot for Gacioch.
The rookie is one of five changes from Racing’s last game, a 1-0 loss to Denver on May 29.
Racing goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer and forward Sarah Weber both return to the starting lineup after recovering from injuries that held them out in May. Bloomer hasn’t played since coming off with an injury on May 23, while Weber has been out since May 8.
Ellie Jean returns to the starting lineup to play next to Gacioch in the middle of the Louisville defense. Jean has not started since May 3, missing time with an illness. She came of the bench in the Denver game to play 17 minutes.
Elsewhere, Taylor Flint will begin the game on the bench. She has played every minute of Racing’s season to this point, but will not start Sunday as she recovers from an ankle injury.
Macey Hodge will replace her in the midfield. She’ll be joined by Katie O’Kane and Kayla Fischer in the middle of the park.
With Gacioch starting, Courtney Petersen moves to left back, replacing Courtney Petersen. Lauren Milliet will start at right back and wear the captain’s armband.
Makenna Morris and Emma Sears will start in the attack on the wings, flanking Weber.
On the bench, Wright, Flint and McMahon are joined by Ella Hase, Rachel Hill, Macy Philippus (formerly Blackburn), Audrey McKeen and Prohaska, as the backup goalkeeper.
Team sheet at Portland Thorns
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
8 – Courtney Petersen
15 – Mirann Gacioch
5 – Ellie Jean
2 – Lauren Milliet
10 – Macey Hodge
20 – Katie O’Kane
9 – Kayla Fischer
4 – Makenna Morris
13 – Emma Sears
42 – Sarah Weber
Available substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska; 3 – Arin Wright, 6 – Ella Hase, 12 – Quincy McMahon, 21 – Rachel Hill, 23 – Macy Philippus, 26 – Taylor Flint, 88 – Audrey McKeen
