Parker Goins is set to make her first professional start tonight at 7 when Racing Louisville takes on the Chicago Red Stars in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Lynn Family Stadium.
The 24-year-old has been a valuable asset off the substitutes bench for Racing this year, with three goals in nine appearances, but she had not yet started a match for the Louisville side. The former University of Arkansas star is also tied for second in the Challenge Cup in scoring, with two goals in the competition.
Including Goins, Racing Louisville will have two different starters from the last time it took the field, a 2-1 regular-season win over Kansas City on July 7. Defender Julia Lester joins Goins as the other lineup addition.
Tonight’s match is significant. Racing (3-0-0, 9 points) has a chance to move to the cusp of clinching a spot in the Challenge Cup semifinals with a win, which would also complete a Cup sweep of the Red Stars this year. Louisville topped Chicago, 2-0, on May 31 in Illinois.
Goins will lead Racing’s attack alongside Kirsten Davis and Paige Monaghan, who has scored a goal in each of her past two games. Monaghan is having a career year with Louisville, matching her season-best with three goals and setting a new career-high with two assists across all competitions. She’s also one of only four players in the NWSL to score multiple goals in each of the past five calendar years.
The midfield three will once again consist of captain Jaelin Howell, Jordan Baggett and Kayla Fischer, who scored her first pro goal in Racing’s previous Challenge Cup win, a 3-0 victory over Houston.
Lester replaces Finnish international Elli Pikkujämsä at center back, with Pikkujämsä returning from international duty late Wednesday. She’ll be available off the bench. This is Lester’s 30th start for Racing across all competitions over the past two seasons. The rest of the back line remains the same, with Abby Erceg, Lauren Milliet and Carson Pickett set to start.
In goal, Katie Lund will make her 41st consecutive start for Racing across all competitions. She has two clean sheets in three wins in the Challenge Cup this season.
Nadia Nadim, who made her season debut on July 7 coming off a knee injury, is once again available as a reserve. Two new additions to the squad, Taylor Aylmer and Maddie Pokorny, are available off the bench. They recently signed National Team Replacement Player contracts.
Jordyn Bloomer and Jess McDonald were previously listed as out on the player availability report. Wang Shuang, Uchenna Kanu, Ary Borges, Savannah DeMelo, Thembi Kgatlana and Alex Chidiac are all at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Racing Team Sheet vs. Chicago Red Stars
1 – Katie Lund
16 – Carson Pickett
20 – Abby Erceg
15 – Julia Lester
2 – Lauren Milliet
6 – Jaelin Howell (c)
9 – Kayla Fischer
19 – Jordan Baggett
5 – Paige Monaghan
22 – Kirsten Davis
21 – Parker Goins
Substitutes: 99 – Olivia Sekany; 3 – Zaneta Wyne, 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä, 10 – Nadia Nadim, 13 – Emina Ekic, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 25 – Rebecca Holloway, 26 – Taylor Aylmer, 31 – Riley Parker
