By Chris Mattingly
This past Saturday marked a milestone night for Sean Totsch as he made his 200th Louisville City FC appearance.
The veteran center back wore the captain’s armband and went the full 90 minutes as LouCity scored a 1-0 victory over Loudoun United FC at Lynn Family Stadium. It made him only the second player in club history to join the 200 club following teammate Paolo DelPiccolo.
For three straight years a member of the USL Championship All-League First Team, Totsch is looking like a candidate to extend that streak in 2023. He’s played every minute of City’s season, has scored three goals and anchors a back line that has secured a league-leading nine clean sheets halfway through the campaign.
In the lead to the Loudoun game, Totsch took time to reflect on his City tenure, which dates back to a 2017 signing.
“Clearly the team means a lot to me,” he said. “We have gone through a lot — a lot of successes winning trophies together and making the city my home.”
Totsch helped LouCity win its USL Championship titles in 2017 and 2018. The boys in purple also won Eastern Conference crowns in 2019 and 2022. But his memories at Lynn Family Stadium aren’t all to do with soccer. Totsch also proposed to his now-wife, Aysia, on the field before a game in 2020.
“There have just been so many moments — ups and downs,” Sean Totsch said. “I’m just really thankful to be apart of organization, a team, a real family that makes it all worth it every single day.”
Looking back, Totsch still remembers the moment he first considered joining LouCity: when visiting Louisville with his former club, the Rochester Rhinos, where he also won a title in 2015.
“We came to train at Louisville City at Thurman Hutchins (Park) down the road here and I remember my contract was coming up,” Totsch said. “I was like, this place is pretty sweet. I would like to come here.”
Then-coach James O’Connor — now the club’s president — expressed mutual interest. Totsch signed, stayed and ahead of the 2023 season inked a new multi-year contract with the club.
“Obviously you have no idea of having longevity at a one place or even just playing in general,” Totsch said, “so I have been really fortunate there to be able to represent the team as often and frequently as I have.”
“I’m so proud of him,” coach Danny Cruz added of Totsch’s 200th appearance. “It’s an unbelievable achievement. He’s been a stalwart at this club — for this community. He continues to grow every single day, and I couldn’t be more proud of the moment for him. He deserves it.”
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats before kickoff for Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The club will honor Totsch’s achievement ahead of an 8 p.m. opening whistle at Lynn Family Stadium.
