Coming off a vital triumph in the race for a postseason spot, Racing Louisville coach Bev Yanez will deploy the same starting XI from last Saturday to take on the fifth-place North Carolina Courage at 7:30 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium.
The opening match of the NWSL’s Saturday night slate will be broadcast nationally on ION and streamed for free on ionnwsl.com. Talk Radio 1080 AM will carry the radio broadcast that is also available online at talkradio1080.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
Racing Louisville (5-8-7, 22 points) vaulted back into ninth position with a 2-1 triumph last Saturday over Angel City, the club’s first win this season after conceding the opening goal. With a win tonight, the Louisvillians would climb into playoff contention, capitalizing on Bay FC’s stumble last night against the table-topping Orlando Pride.
The attack will be spearheaded by newly acquired center forward Bethany Balcer, with Savannah DeMelo operating on the right flank and Janine Beckie patrolling the left. For Seattle Reign, Balcer recorded three goal involvements, including two goals, in the previous two campaigns in matchups with North Carolina. Her last one was around this time last year – Oct. 1, 2023 – where she netted the opener in a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field. Both Balcer and Beckie scored their first goals in lavender in last weekend’s win.
Defensively, the in-form Katie Lund is the anchor between the sticks. The Texas native has amassed nine saves across the last two contests while earning the Player of the Match award vs. Angel City.
The four in front of the 27-year-old Lund remain consistent. Abby Erceg dons the captain’s armband for the 13th league match this season. Arin Wright will accompany her in central defense, with Lauren Milliet wide right and newcomer Courtney Petersen in the left back role.
Tonight’s game brings Milliet’s appearance tally in lavender to 89 NWSL matches.
Marisa DiGrande will start as Racing’s central attacking midfielder, operating just ahead of the double pivot formed by Ary Borges and Taylor Flint. With her appearance tonight, DiGrande moves within two games of the 100 appearances mark for her career.
New Zealand international Milly Clegg returns to Racing’s matchday squad for a league game for the first time since June 29. The 18-year-old will start on Yanez’s bench after leading the line for the Football Ferns at the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Emma Sears, who created three chances in the Summer Cup clash against the Courage, is poised to join Clegg among the attacking substitutes. Reserve goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer; forwards Elexa Bahr and Parker Goins; defenders Ellie Jean and Ángela Barón; winger Maddie Pokorny; and midfielder Jordan Baggett are also on the subs bench.
Defender Elli Pikkujämsä and forwards Kayla Fischer, Uchenna Kanu and Kirsten Wright were all previously listed as out in the league availability report. Fischer, the club’s leader in successful dribbles, misses out due to yellow card accumulation.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. North Carolina Courage
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
3 – Arin Wright
20 – Abby Erceg (c)
11 – Courtney Petersen
8 – Ary Borges
26 – Taylor Flint
7 – Savannah DeMelo
14 – Marisa DiGrande
16 – Janine Beckie
88 – Bethany Balcer
Substitutes: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer (GK); 5 – Ellie Jean, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Ángela Barón, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 18 – Milly Clegg, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 23 – Elexa Bahr
