Game: Racing Louisville vs. San Diego Wave

Where: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

When: Friday, June 9, 2023

Time: 5:00 p.m. PST

TV: Fox 5 San Diego, Paramount+

The San Diego Wave will play their second consecutive road game in NWSL regular season play against Racing Louisville this Friday, June 9. The Wave are on an impressive three-game winning streak on the road, and they have also managed to keep a clean sheet in all of these games as well.

The Southern California team is coming off a huge 1-0 win against Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena, where a goal by Makenzy Doniak was enough to come away with the three points. Coach Casey Stoney made the perfect substitutions at halftime, as she brought on Doniak and Jaedyn Shaw, who were both involved directly in the goal. The Wave had a massive defensive performance on the day, led by an incredible showing by USWNT regular Naomi Girma.

Kailen Sheridan also had a couple of key saves in the match, as she has been in incredible form this season, heading into the World Cup in the summer. Sofia Jakobsson, who started the season being a bench player, has also emerged as a starter, as the veteran as she hopes to earn a spot on the Sweden World Cup team.

Taylor Kornieck also looks to make her World Cup case as she readjusts to getting into the starting lineup after an injury that kept her out for a month. Kornieck started the game against Gotham and will look for another opportunity to crack the starting 11 after being subbed out at halftime for Makenzy Doniak.

Rachel Hill did suffer a lower leg injury. She will not be available for this match against Louisville, along with the ongoing injuries of Abby Dahlkemper, Emily van Egmond, and Kelsey Turnbow.

Racing Louisville will have a few absentees of their own, as Jordyn Bloomer, Elli Pikkujamsa, Jess McDonald, and Nadia Nadim will all be out for this match. The Midwestern team has been struggling this season, currently in eighth place with just 11 points earned from 10 games played.

Louisville is on a two-game winless streak, coming off a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit away from home. The eighth-place team has been terrible at home, with just one win from four games played at Lynn Family Stadium in the 2023 NWSL regular season.

Racing Louisville suffered a 2-1 loss to the North Carolina Courage in their last home game and will desperately look to turn things around in what is set to be a very tough match. Savannah DeMelo has been Louisville’s best player by far, with four goals and two assists on the season, and she will be one to watch in this match.

The Wave are tied in points with first-place Portland Thorns and have the potential to finish in first place by the end of the weekend with a win in this match against Louisville.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.