Racing Louisville FC closes out a two-match stint on home soil with three changes to its starting XI Friday night to take on the league-leading Gotham FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
Kickoff for what is Racing’s Pups at the Pitch Night is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on the free NWSL+ app or via plus.nwslsoccer.com, while fans can also listen to the match on Sports Talk 790AM or 790louisville.com.
Two of the alterations are of the attacking variety, while one comes in defense. Up top, Maja Lardner will make her third start of her rookie season and first since she recorded a brace on July 26 at Angel City FC. The Georgetown product has come off the bench in each of the eight matches following that match-winning performance in Los Angeles, accumulating 173 minutes over that stretch.
Sarah Weber and Courtney Petersen will also make their respective returns to the Louisville starting XI, rounding out the changes from Racing head coach Bev Yanez, coming off a 2-0 defeat to Angel City last week. The duo will be making their first starts back in 44 days, with their most recent being at the Kansas City Current on July 29.
With Macey Hodge suspended due to yellow card accumulation, Weber will slot into the Racing midfield with Lauren Milliet and Katie O’Kane. O’Kane is set to make her 50th career NWSL appearance Friday.
Weber has scored three goals this year, with all three coming in the opening five games of the campaign. Last season, she also significantly converted a goal against Gotham in a 2-2 October road draw. O’Kane and Milliet combined for five of the six chances created by Racing in the defeat to ACFC.
Lardner, one of four rookies to record a goal this year, partners with Kayla Fischer to make up the threat going forward. Fischer is producing at a career-high rate, currently sitting on 10 goal contributions — four more than her previous season-high from 2025.
Jordyn Bloomer will take up the goalkeeping responsibilities for the 23rd match of 2026. She is up to 81 saves on the campaign after another two last week.
In the back, it is rookie Mirann Gacioch who makes way for Petersen, as she joins former Gotham player Ellie Jean and captain Arin Wright at the center of Racing’s defense. Wright led Louisville in accurate passes (31) and clearances (11) versus Angel City. The wingback duo of Ella Hase and Quincy McMahon remains consistent. Hase is set to appear in her 20th game this year for the club.
Racing’s leading goal-scorer Emma Sears starts on the bench Friday, along with Gacioch and new midfielder Jordan Fusco.
Fusco joined Louisville on loan this past week from San Diego Wave FC through the rest of the calendar year. She has registered nine appearances and one assist from a substitute role for the Wave this season. Half of the field players listed as available substitutes have found the back of the net at least once.
Team sheet vs. Gotham FC
24 – Jordyn Bloomer
12 – Quincy McMahon
5 – Ellie Jean
3 – Arin Wright (c)
8 – Courtney Petersen
6 – Ella Hase
20 – Katie O’Kane
42 – Sarah Weber
2 – Lauren Milliet
16 – Maja Lardner
9 – Kayla Fischer
Available substitutes: 1 – Maddie Prohaska; 4 – Makenna Morris, 11 – Taylor White, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Mirann Gacioch, 19 – Avery Ciorbu, 21 – Rachel Hill, 23 – Macy Philippus, 28 – Jordan Fusco
