Jaelin Howell

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) - Racing Louisville FC captain Jaelin Howell has often been the one behind a microphone explaining how her club is close to breaking through.

Now, she gets behind one as Louisville prepares for a major chance to make a statement at home on Saturday.

"It's been a long time coming," Howell said. "We always say it's multiple hits on the rock that makes it break."

Jaelin Howell

Courtesy of David Mucker

Racing has hit the rock for back-to-back wins and gone unbeaten over its last three matches ahead of hosting defending NWSL champion Gotham FC on Saturday at noon for a nationally-televised game on ESPN. And a return for the former No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022, who is expected to play while still having her minutes restricted, could be a big boost.

"I'm ready to get back out there and lead the team when they need me," Howell said. "I'm excited because it was a longer process and I'm obviously itching to get back."

Howell, who subbed on for a single minute in Racing's last match vs. Houston, has not logged a meaningful shift since playing 25 minutes on April 28 in an 1-1 draw at Gotham. 

A calf strain kept the defensive midfielder on the sidelines for longer than she thought it would and also bothered her in the preseason, causing her to only play limited minutes in a season-opening draw vs. Orlando.

"I think I've had some pretty bad luck with an injury I've never really dealt with before," Howell said. "So I think mentally, it was definitely tough, but I wanted to stay engaged for the team. And obviously, as a captain and leader, I needed to stay engaged on and off the field to help out where I can.

"So for me, getting back was obviously a longer process than I was hoping. But I've been practicing three weeks now fully, I feel great. The calf feels great."

The 24-year-old also missed time towards the end of last season with a hip injury while Racing narrowly missed its first-ever playoff berth. Howell was out for seven of the final nine matches.

"When I'm out playing 100%, I don't think and I'm just flying around, doing my thing," Howell said. "And so obviously, with the injury, it's always tough if you're feeling it a little bit. So, I just wanted to get back to 100% because I know what I can provide when I'm at 100%."

A healthy Howell would be another boost for a Racing team that wants to hit its stride for a run to the playoffs. To Louisville's credit, the club has played well defensively without its captain, thanks in large part to Taylor Flint's outstanding season. 

"I love playing with Taylor and I've said it before, but it's so great having her as a teammate rather than playing against her," Howell said. "I think we've played with each other a little bit now to where hopefully it's seamless."

Flint has a strong case to be called Louisville's best player this year. The 6-1 midfielder forms a daunting duo in the defensive midfield with Howell, one that can provide an aggressively physical punch while helping defenders and pushing others forward to press. 

"I think we have very similar styles of play, which is really cool," Howell said. "I think if I go forward, I know she has my back behind me defensively and vice versa. She has the freedom to go forward and I can kind of lock it down.

"I think that our qualities really complement each other because they're actually very similar. And you know, I don't have to head the ball as much. But Taylor's great and it's really fun to have somebody next to that you can just kind of feed off of each other."

Currently sitting in an NWSL playoff position, the captain could be a key catalyst for her teammates to continue feeding off of each other. Louisville is tied with North Carolina for the final two NWSL playoff spots, as each club has 15 points. But Racing's goal differential of plus-five is actually the fifth-best mark in the league thanks in part to an NWSL-high six draws.

"It's exciting to watch the girls finally get some of those three points," Howell said. "But you know, it's still early in the season. We need to keep the pedal down and can't let up now to keep building momentum. That's the important part and we're on that playoff line right now. But we need to be a top-three team. And that's what we always said."

Gotham isn't technically a top-three team, cracking the top five. But again: This is the defending league champion who also has not lost since April 20. Racing need not be reminded of the win that evaporated the last time they faced this team, as Rose Lavelle subbed on late to find an equalizer in an 1-1 draw. 

"I think every game is important," Howell said when previewing an opponent Louisville also played in the preseason. "So, I think we're really familiar with them. And playing them at home in an early game, hopefully a big crowd shows up and we can we can get three points to keep the ball rolling. That'll be important for us at this point in the season."

A point that could prove to be important in proving a point. And as Louisville looks to make a statement, its captain knows she can help Racing keep rolling.

"The progression has been cool to see," Howell said. "Hopefully, like I said, we keep the pedal down and know that we have a lot more work to do."

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