Racing Louisville’s all-time top scorer and assists leader Savannah DeMelo is set for a return to the lineup after suspension for tonight’s key 7:30 p.m. ET rematch against Angel City FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
DeMelo, who is one goal contribution away from setting a new career-high mark for a single season, stands as one of coach Bev Yanez’s two changes to Racing’s starting lineup. The 26-year-old midfielder will slot back in on the right wing and is aiming to cause the same problems as her performance at Angel City in June, when she topped Louisville’s chart for shot-creating actions.
Newly acquired defender Courtney Petersen is primed to start her first match in lavender after appearing as a substitute in last weekend’s defeat at Bay FC. She’ll replace Ellie Jean in Racing’s back four.
The game will be broadcast nationally on ION and streamed for free on ionnwsl.com. Sports Talk 790 AM will carry the radio broadcast that is also available online at 790louisville.iheart.com or via the iHeart app.
With seven regular season matches left, Racing (4-8-7, 19 points) sits in 11th place, six points shy of a playoff berth going into Saturday night’s game. Three points would propel the Louisvillians back within three points of eighth-place Bay and into ninth position – one spot below the playoff cutoff. They’d overtake Angel City with a win and move past Seattle for the time being, with the Reign set to play Monday night.
Up front, DeMelo will be joined by Janine Beckie and Bethany Balcer in Louisville’s front three. Balcer will lead Racing’s line for the fourth successive match, while Beckie moves to the left flank for her second consecutive start. Balcer registered an assist in her Racing debut and has two career goals across all competitions against Angel City.
During her time with the Houston Dash this year, Petersen played as both a center back in a back three and out on the left flank in two matches against Angel City. The Michigan native will take over at left back for Racing. This move shifts Arin Wright, the Kentucky native, back to center back, where she’ll pair up with Abby Erceg, who’s wearing the captain’s arm band tonight. The always reliable Lauren Millet keeps her place at right back, starting her 73rd consecutive game and continuing her streak of playing in every single game of Racing’s four-year existence.
Racing’s midfield remains unchanged for the fourth match running. Just three matches shy of her 100th NWSL appearance, Marisa DiGrande slots back into the central attacking midfielder position. Taylor Flint and Ary Borges once again make up Racing’s double pivot. Notably, Flint found the net from the penalty spot in the first meeting between the teams and has since added a second goal to her account, a header vs. Seattle on Aug. 31.
Yanez’s bench is headlined by versatile attacker Kayla Fischer and game-changing winger Emma Sears. The two will be accompanied as substitutes by forwards Elexa Bahr and Parker Goins; defenders Ellie Jean and Ángela Barón; winger Maddie Pokorny; midfielder Jordan Baggett; and reserve shot-stopper Olivia Sekany.
Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, defender Elli Pikkujämsä and forwards Uchenna Kanu and Kirsten Wright were all previously listed as out in the league availability report.
Racing Louisville lineup vs. Angel City
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: 99 – Olivia Sekany (GK); 5 – Ellie Jean, 9 – Kayla Fischer, 13 – Emma Sears, 15 – Ángela Barón, 17 – Maddie Pokorny, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 21 – Parker Goins, 23 – Elexa Bahr
