Louisville City FC newcomers Hugo Fauroux and Chris Donovan will start Saturday afternoon, as the boys in purple host Rhode Island FC at 4 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium.
Fauroux, the 29-year-old Frenchman, made his club debut on Wednesday, earning a clean sheet in a U.S. Open Cup victory over Southern Indiana FC. The former Loudoun United netminder was not required to make a save in the 2-0 win.
Donovan, who joined Louisville in January from the Philadelphia Union, was absent from Wednesday’s game. The center forward scored and registered an assist last weekend in his full club debut, a 4-1 win over Miami FC.
The rest of LouCity’s team features returning players from last season’s Players’ Shield-winning group.
Reigning USL Championship Player of the Year Taylor Davila returns to the midfield after a day off on Wednesday. The 25-year-old former Cal Bear leads the team with six chances created in league play. He tallied his first assist of the season against Miami.
Like Davila, Kyle Adams also garnered an individual accolade last season — USL Championship Defender of the Year. LouCity’s captain has played every minute of the season across competitions, and starts in his customary place as the furthest left of the three center backs.
LouCity Academy product Brandon Dayes starts for the fourth time this season, across competitions. The 17-year-old was called up to the United States Under-18 national team on Friday, his first call-up to the international level in his career.
Sean Totsch, the USL Championship’s all-time minutes and appearances leaders, is set to make his 301st appearance for Louisville City FC. The 34-year-old is in his 10th season with the club, after joining in 2017.
Jake Morris and Manny Perez will occupy the wingback places, on the left and right respectively. The duo have featured in all three games LouCity has played this year.
Zach Duncan joins Davila in the midfield. The Australian returned from a lengthy injury to begin this season. He earns his third start of the campaign Saturday.
Ray Serrano and Jansen Wilson join Donovan in the front three. Each scored a goal and notched an assist in last week’s win over Miami. Serrano added an assist in Wednesday’s Open Cup win as well.
On the bench, Kevon Lambert is available after earning a call-up for the Jamaican national team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament, where Jamaica could earn a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be partially hosted in the United States.
Tola Showunmi, who bagged a brace on Wednesday night, headlines the attacking options, buoyed by Mukwelle Akale and Sam Gleadle.
This is the first squad picked by interim head coach Simon Bird for a USL Championship regular-season game. The 42-year-old took the helm of LouCity on Tuesday, following the departure of Danny Cruz. Saturday marks Bird’s first league game in charge.
For tickets and more information on today’s game, visit LouCity.com/youth. The game will air locally on MyTV 58, with streaming coverage on WDRB+ and ESPN+.
Team Sheet vs. Rhode Island FC
1 – Hugo Fauroux
3 – Jake Morris
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
5 – Brandon Dayes
4 – Sean Totsch
15 – Manny Perez
8 – Taylor Davila
6 – Zach Duncan
7 – Ray Serrano
25 – Jansen Wilson
9 – Chris Donovan
Substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 14 – Tola Showunmi, 16 – Carlos Moguel Jr., 19 – Babacar Niang, 23 – Sam Gleadle, 27 – Evan Davila, 31 – Kevon Lambert, 47 – Mukwelle Akale
