Josh Jones starts for the third-consecutive game, while head coach Danny Cruz makes three changes for first-place Louisville City FC’s Fourth of July trip west to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Kickoff in the nationally televised game is set for 9 p.m. ET Friday on CBS Sports Network.
Jones, a rookie center back, is enjoying the longest run of consecutive starts of his young career. At 6-foot-5, Jones used his physical presence to success in Sunday’s 1-0 USL Jägermeister Cup win over North Carolina, winning three aerial duals, tied for second on the team.
Cruz has been effusive in his praise of Jones of late, as the 22-year-old fills in for the injured Arturo Ordóñez.
“Josh has been immense. He’s been excellent. Arturo goes out with an injury, and we talk about it all the time, it’s next man up,” Cruz said. “He’s come in and he’s been phenomenal his last two games. The hope now for Josh is that he can continue to build on it, which I’m confident that he will, and then Arturo to get healthy and then the competing (for the starting spot) continues on.”
Among the changes, Phillip Goodrum returns to the starting 11 after coming off the bench in Sunday’s USL Jägermeister Cup win over North Carolina. In league play, he leads LouCity in goals (seven), shots (28) and shots on target (14).
In the back three, Aiden McFadden steps in for 16-year-old Brandon Dayes, who made his competitive debut for LouCity on Sunday, at center back. McFadden ranks third on the team in tackles won with 11.
The final change sees Amadou Dia supplant Jake Morris at left wingback. The 32-year-old has the second-most interceptions for LouCity this season with 17.
Captain Kyle Adams starts next to Jones and McFadden in the back three. Adams has played more minutes than any other Louisville field player this season across all three competitions, with 1,770. Only goalkeeper Damian Las has played more minutes this season (1,800).
Ray Serrano and Jansen Wilson retain their places in the attack on the wings. Serrano has a goal contribution in five-consecutive league games, while Wilson has scored in back-to-back games, including the winner on Sunday.
Taylor Davila and Kevon Lambert pair in the midfield again. The pair won possession a combined 10 times for Louisville on Sunday. Lambert led LouCity defensively in the shutout, tallying a team-high five tackles won and seven aerial duals won.
In goal, Las starts after Sunday’s two-save shutout, his first clean sheet since May 24 at Monterey Bay.
Dayes, Morris and Lancaster are all available off the bench after starting on Sunday.
Team Sheet vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
1 – Damian Las
13 – Amadou Dia
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
24 – Josh Jones
2 – Aiden McFadden
15 – Manny Perez
17 – Taylor Davila
31 – Kevon Lambert
7 – Ray Serrano
25 – Jansen Wilson
9 – Phillip Goodrum
Substitutes: 12 – Danny Faundez; 3 – Jake Morris, 8 – Carlos Moguel Jr., 23 – Sam Gleadle, 27 – Evan Davila, 53 – Cameron Lancaster, 83 – Brandon Dayes
