Forward Kirsten Davis, midfielder Ary Borges and defenders Julia Lester and Lauren Milliet return to the Racing Louisville starting lineup for tonight’s 8 p.m. match against the Kansas City Current, with the teams set to battle for the second time in four days, this time in NWSL regular-season action.
The four changes come after Racing topped Kansas City, 3-2, in Wednesday’s UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville. The teams play tonight at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.
For Davis, the start will be her first appearance since the May 6 loss at Orlando. The second-year striker picked up a knock in training the day before the May 12 win over Chicago and missed that match and the mid-week contest against KC. This will be her fourth start of the 2023 campaign and 14th regular-season start in her career.
Ary Borges is back in the fold after coming off the bench in the Challenge Cup game. The Brazilian midfielder scored minutes after entering the game, with her second Racing goal across all competitions proving to be the game-winner.
Milliet will make her 39th straight regular-season start, a stretch that extends back to the end of the 2021 campaign. She was a substitute in Wednesday’s match but has played every minute in Racing’s seven regular-season games.
Tonight’s start is Lester’s 21st regular-season start in a Racing uniform.
Davis will lead the attacking front three alongside Paige Monaghan and Wang Shuang, who scored in her last appearance, converting a penalty against Chicago on the 12th.
Ary Borges joins captain Jaelin Howell and red-hot Savannah DeMelo in the midfield. DeMelo scored twice against KC on Wednesday and has now had a hand in six of Racing’s 12 goals this season. Her five goals from outside the box are the most of any NWSL player since the start of the 2022 season, DeMelo’s rookie year.
Lester and Milliet will pair up with regular starters Abby Erceg and Carson Pickett on the back line.
Katie Lund will once again start in goal, her 34th straight regular-season start for Racing.
Jess McDonald, Nadia Nadim, Emina Ekic and Jordyn Bloomer were all previously listed as out.
Racing Louisville Team Sheet vs. KC Current
1 – Katie Lund
16 – Carson Pickett
20 – Abby Erceg
15 – Julia Lester
2 – Lauren Milliet
6 – Jaelin Howell (c)
7 – Savannah DeMelo
8 – Ary Borges
5 – Paige Monaghan
22 – Kirsten Davis
77 – Wang Shuang
Substitutes: 99 – Olivia Sekany; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 11 – Thembi Kgatlana, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 27 – Alex Chidiac, 29 – Uchenna Kanu
