Forward Chris Donovan will make his first Louisville City FC start up top in one of four changes made by head coach Danny Cruz for Saturday afternoon’s home opener against Miami FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
Donovan, who came to LouCity last month from the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, takes the place of Tola Showunmi in the frontline. The 25-year-old contributed 45 minutes in his club debut last weekend, playing an important role in setting up the match-winning goal at rival Lexington SC. The finisher of that goal, Aiden McFadden, also enters the Louisville lineup, displacing Manny Perez at one of the two wingback positions.
Cruz’s final two alterations see two familiar names, Ray Serrano and Kevon Lambert, start from the opening whistle in the forward and midfield lines, respectively. Serrano, a constant threat out wide, tallied six goals last year — joint most by a returning player.
Lambert partners with reigning league Player of the Year Taylor Davila in the midfield. Davila finished with a team-high three chances created in the Lexington win.
Kentucky native Jansen Wilson keeps his place in attack, accompanying Donovan and Serrano to complete the LouCity trio up front.
Jake Morris will sit opposite McFadden, on the left flank, in the other wingback role.
Ryan Troutman remains in net for LouCity, making his third career league start. An unchanged backline of captain Kyle Adams, Brandon Dayes and Sean Totsch provides the stability just ahead of the 25-year-old keeper. At age 17, Dayes was a rock in the 2026 opener, winning possession on nine occasions — a game-high. He also completed more passes than any Louisville player in the road victory.
Newcomer Babacar Niang, who joined on loan from Minnesota United in late January, is among the many reinforcements available to Cruz Saturday. If called upon, Niang would make his club debut. Also on the bench are new signings Quenzi Huerman and Tola Showunmi, who made their debuts last weekend in starting roles and could offer a jolt in attack.
Team Sheet vs. Miami FC
30 – Ryan Troutman
3 – Jake Morris
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
5 – Brandon Dayes
4 – Sean Totsch
2 – Aiden McFadden
8 – Taylor Davila
31 – Kevon Lambert
7 – Ray Serrano
25 – Jansen Wilson
9 – Chris Donovan
Substitutes: 12 – Danny Faundez; 6 – Zach Duncan, 14 – Tola Showunmi, 15 – Manny Perez, 16 – Carlos Moguel Jr., 19 – Babacar Niang, 21 – Quenzi Huerman
