Five players on Racing Louisville FC have been called up to their respective national teams for the upcoming international window. Defenders Satara Murray (Jamaica) and Elli Pikkujämsä (Finland); midfielders Ary Borges (Brazil) and Alex Chidiac (Australia) and forward Uchenna Kanu (Nigeria) have been named to their national team’s rosters for various tournaments.
Ary Borges – Brazil
South American powerhouse Brazil is competing in the SheBelieves Cup hosted by the United States. The Seleção will be competing against the defending World Cup Champion United States, Olympic gold medal winners Canada and Japan, the No. 11 team in the world.
The four-time Copa America Feminina winners have their eyes on a deep run at this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they’ve been placed in a group with France, Jamaica and the winner of a playoff between Chinese Taipei, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Panama.
Borges, who was signed by Racing this offseason, has become a consistent member of Brazil’s squad, with 22 caps before turning 23 years old. The midfielder has scored four times for her country, including a game-winner against Paraguay in the Copa America semifinal.
Uchenna Kanu – Nigeria
Nigeria is set to compete in the second edition of the Women’s Revelations Cup in León, Mexico, against Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica. The Super Falcons are preparing for a World Cup group with Canada, Australia and Ireland.
Nigeria lost four consecutive matches to finish the 2022 calendar year. Kanu, who signed with Racing this month, scored the only goal for Nigeria during that stretch, bending in a highlight-reel shot against the U.S.
Kanu has 10 goals in 12 caps with Nigeria since making her Super Falcons debut in 2019. The forward most recently helped Tigres UANL to the Liga MX Femenil’s Torneo Apertura trophy this past November.
Alex Chidiac – Australia
In preparation for hosting the 2023 World Cup with New Zealand, Australia is putting on the Cup of Nations, with Spain, the Czech Republic and Jamaica all traveling down under for three matches apiece.
The Matildas ended 2022 with four straight victories, topping South Africa, Denmark, Sweden and Thailand. The Olympic semifinalists will be serious contenders for the World Cup trophy.
Chidiac has been in excellent form while on loan with Melbourne Victory, tallying five goals and five assists in 12 matches with the A-League Women club. Last year, Chidiac made four appearances off the bench with Australia. Following international duty, Chidiac will be joining Louisville for the remainder of the NWSL preseason.
Satara Murray – Jamaica
Jamaica will be headed to Australia for the Cup of Nations tournament with Australia, Spain and the Czech Republic.
Over the summer, the Reggae Girlz clinched a spot in this summer’s World Cup after finishing third in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. They’ve been placed in a group with France, Brazil and the winner of a playoff between Chinese Taipei, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Panama.
Representing Jamaica, Murray has made four appearances, including three starts in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. For Louisville last year, the defender made nine appearances, all starts at center back, after joining Racing in June.
Elli Pikkujämsä – Finland
The Finland women’s national team is set to compete in the Cyprus Cup against Croatia, Hungary and Romania. The Helmarit will be missing out on this summer’s World Cup after finishing third in their qualification group behind Sweden and Ireland.
The 23-year-old Pikkujämsä, who joined Racing this offseason, has already made 20 appearances for Finland. She started all three matches for her country last summer at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. Last season with Sweden’s KIF Örebro, the defender scored six times in her 27 club appearances.
How to Follow
Wednesday, February 15
Mexico vs. Nigeria (Kanu) – 5 p.m. ET#
Thursday, February 16
Spain vs. Jamaica (Murray) – 12:10 a.m.%
Australia (Chidiac) vs. Czech Republic – 3:10 a.m. ET*
Croatia vs. Finland (Pikkujämsä) – 10 a.m. ET^
Japan vs. Brazil (Borges) – 4 p.m. ET (HBO Max)
Saturday, February 18
Colombia vs. Nigeria (Kanu) – 1p.m. ET#
Jamaica (Murray) vs. Czech Republic – 10:50 p.m. ET%
Sunday, February 19
Australia (Chidiac) vs. Spain – 2 a.m. ET*
Finland (Pikkujämsä) vs. Hungary – 6 a.m. ET^
Brazil (Borges) vs. Canada – 6:30 p.m. ET (HBO Max)
Tuesday, February 21
Costa Rica vs. Nigeria (Kanu) – 5 p.m. ET#
Wednesday, February 22
Australia (Chidiac) vs. Jamaica (Murray) – 3:10 a.m. ET*%
Finland (Pikkujämsä) vs. Romania – 6 a.m.^
United States vs. Brazil (Borges) – 7 p.m. ET (HBO Max/TNT)
* = Follow @TheMatildas on Twitter for updates and streaming information.
# = Follow @NGSuper_Falcons on Twitter for updates and streaming information.
^ = Follow @HelmaritFI on Twitter for updates and streaming information.
% = Follow @jff_football on Twitter for updates and streaming information.
