Head coach Bev Yanez makes two changes to the Racing Louisville FC starting lineup, as rookie Maja Lardner and Ellie Jean return for a Sunday evening encounter against Angel City FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Lardner, a former Georgetown University standout, will be making her second career NWSL start. The first came just before the summer break at home versus Denver Summit FC. She’ll slot into Racing’s frontline, replacing Emma Sears, who will start the match on the bench following a bout of illness leading up to the game. Lardner is set to provide an attacking threat alongside Kayla Fischer — who scored in the 1-1 draw with the Houston Dash last week — and Makenna Morris.
Jean rejoins the Racing starting unit Sunday after being named as a substitute last week. She is slated to record her 10th start of 2026, lining up in a backline featuring captain Arin Wright, Quincy McMahon and rookie Mirann Gacioch. In the physical home draw with Houston last time out, McMahon led Racing in total duels won (6).
Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer remains in the Louisville net. She is the only shot stopper in the NWSL with at least 45 saves in fewer than 14 starts. She has made four saves in each of her last three starts.
Notably, due to yellow card accumulation, Taylor Flint is absent from the team sheet. However, Katie O’Kane and Macey Hodge will keep their places in the Racing midfield. They’ll be accompanied by the club’s all-time minutes leader Lauren Milliet.
Hodge started out her professional career last season with Angel City, accumulating just over 750 minutes across 16 matches played for ACFC. She was dealt to Louisville in mid-January, and later inked an extension through the 2027 campaign with a mutual option for 2028.
In addition to Sears, second-year players Sarah Weber and Ella Hase are among those available off the bench Sunday. Weber scored the lone goal in Racing’s 1-0 win over ACFC last September at Lynn Family Stadium — a result that sparked the club’s impressive late run to clinch a postseason spot.
Rachel Hill, who also bagged a goal against Angel City last season as a member of Bay FC, represents another bench reinforcement for Louisville.
Team sheet at Angel City
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
12 – Quincy McMahon
3 – Arin Wright (c)
5 – Ellie Jean
15 – Mirann Gacioch
2 – Lauren Milliet
10 – Macey Hodge
20 – Katie O’Kane
4 – Makenna Morris
16 – Maja Lardner
9 – Kayla Fischer
Available substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska; 6 – Ella Hase, 8 – Courtney Petersen, 13 – Emma Sears, 19 – Avery Ciorbu, 21 – Rachel Hill, 23 – Macy Philippus, 42 – Sarah Weber, 88 – Audrey McKeen
