After two substitute appearances apiece, rookies Katie O’Kane and Sarah Weber are set to make their first professional starts for Racing Louisville FC away to Chicago Stars FC. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.
O’Kane and Weber represent two of the three lineup changes by head coach Bev Yanez from last weekend’s defeat at Bay FC with the introduction of midfielder Marisa DiGrande the other.
DiGrande, a regular in Louisville’s lineup in 2024, enters for her first start of 2025, taking the place of Ary Borges. Canadian forward Janine Sonis gives way to the former University of Nebraska star Weber, while the University of Utah product O’Kane steps in for Savannah DeMelo.
Taylor Flint, the club’s leading duel winner at Bay with 11, will partner with DiGrande. This is the same midfield double pivot Yanez deployed last May against Chicago in a 1-0 Louisville win. O’Kane will take on the attacking midfield role just ahead of the familiar duo.
Goalkeeper Katie Lund takes her position in goal, sitting just three saves away from reaching 300 for her career. She’d be the eighth player in NWSL history to hit that mark.
Lund will be supported in defense by an unchanged group. Captain Arin Wright and Courtney Peterson make up the center back partnership with Lauren Milliet and rookie Ella Hase keeping their places as the two fullbacks.
Providing the threat in attack, the relentless Kayla Fischer continues in the No. 9 role. The Ohio State product contributed on both sides in the Bay loss, leading Racing in shots (4) and finishing tied for second in duels won (7). Fischer will be flanked by Emma Sears on the right and Weber opposite on the left.
Sonis headlines the available substitutes along with Finnish defender Elli Pikkujämsä, who could make a return to the pitch one year to the day since suffering a knee injury.
Fans can watch Sunday’s game on CBS Sports Network, which is available as part of multiple TV streaming packages, including YouTube TV, Hulu and Fubo. Radio coverage will be available on Talk Radio 1080 AM.
Team Sheet at Chicago Stars FC
1 – Katie Lund
2 – Lauren Milliet
3 – Arin Wright (c)
11 – Courtney Petersen
6 – Ella Hase
26 – Taylor Flint
14 – Marisa DiGrande
20 – Katie O’Kane
9 – Kayla Fischer
13 – Emma Sears
42– Sarah Weber
Substitutes: 4 – Elli Pikkujämsä, 5 – Ellie Jean, 8 – Ary Borges, 12 – Allie George, 15 – Ángela Barón, 16 – Janine Sonis, 19 – Jordan Baggett, 24 – Jordyn Bloomer, 32 – Avery Kalitta
