Racing Louisville FC wraps up a three-game, nine-day stretch with two lineup changes for a Sunday matinee at Chicago Stars FC, as head coach Bev Yanez inserts Audrey McKeen and Ella Hase into the starting XI.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill., with CBS Sports Network carrying the national broadcast. Fans can also listen to the contest on Sports Talk 790AM or 790louisville.com.
McKeen, who earned the call-up to represent the United States at the upcoming U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Poland earlier this week, will rejoin the lineup for her fourth professional start after appearing for 20 minutes off the bench last time out in the 2-1 midweek win over Seattle Reign FC. The Virginia native, 17, will enter the midfield, taking the place of Katie O’Kane, who starts Sunday among the list of available substitutes.
The other change sees Ella Hase return to the starting group for the first time since July 29 at the Kansas City Current. It will be a bit of a homecoming for Hase, as she played collegiately at Northwestern University for four seasons (2020-2023). There, she scored 17 goals across 93 appearances for the Wildcats. Hase is also from Orland Park, Ill., which is roughly 50 miles south of Sunday’s venue in Evanston. The second-year player slots into a wingback role for Racing, with Makenna Morris making way.
Having picked up a crucial result Wednesday, Yanez keeps things consistent throughout the rest of the lineup.
Emma Sears and Kayla Fischer are slated to again provide the threat going forward. Sears is red-hot in the final third at the moment with seven goal involvements (five goals, two assists) in the club’s last four wins. Fischer scored what turned out to be the decisive goal in the 2-1 win versus Chicago on Aug. 1 at Lynn Family Stadium.
Reaching a notable milestone is Taylor Flint, who is set to make her 100th NWSL start Sunday. The club’s leader in duels won (134) will be accompanied in the midfield by McKeen and Lauren Milliet. Milliet is coming off a two-assist performance Wednesday evening, as she became Racing’s first player to double-digit career assists.
For the 20th time this campaign, Jordyn Bloomer starts in the Racing net. She made four saves in the most recent win versus Seattle.
Captain Arin Wright, Ellie Jean and Mirann Gacioch continue as the three anchors in the middle of the defense. Wright is back in Chicago, where she played eight years of her professional career (2015-2023). She made nearly 165 appearances for the now-Stars and twice earned first or second Best XI honors during her time. Sunday will also be her 200th career NWSL start — a mark only six other players in NWSL history have reached.
Quincy McMahon will play opposite Hase as the second wingback. This will be McMahon’s seventh consecutive game in Louisville’s starting XI.
Rachel Hill, another former Chicago player, is available off the bench, as well as Morris and O’Kane. Forwards Sarah Weber and Maja Lardner are also among the reinforcements available.
Team sheet at Chicago Stars FC
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
12 – Quincy McMahon
5 – Ellie Jean
3 – Arin Wright (c)
15 – Mirann Gacioch
6 – Ella Hase
88 – Audrey McKeen
26 – Taylor Flint
2 – Lauren Milliet
13 – Emma Sears
9 – Kayla Fischer
Available substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska; 4 – Makenna Morris, 8 – Courtney Petersen, 10 – Macey Hodge, 16 – Maja Lardner, 20 – Katie O’Kane, 21 – Rachel Hill, 23 – Macy Philippus, 42 – Sarah Weber
