Veteran Louisville City FC defender Amadou Dia will start for the first time this season as the boys in purple visit Loudoun United FC at Segra Field at 6:30 p.m.
The 32-year-old Dia is in his fifth season with Louisville City, but he’s missed out this season due to an injury suffered in a preseason game against New Mexico United. He has made 110 regular-season appearances with 84 starts in purple since joining the club in 2022.
Dia will start at left wingback, replacing Jake Morris in the starting lineup. That is one of five changes to the lineup from last week’s 2-0 loss versus the Charleston Battery.
Those changes come as LouCity preps for a busy week. The club will return home for a U.S. Open Cup tilt with Austin FC of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, before turning its attention to Sporting Club Jacksonville on Saturday. Both games are at Lynn Family Stadium.
Those five changes include two of the front three. Evan Davila will also get his first start of the season, on the right wing. The 24-year-old has made five appearances this season across all competitions, all from the bench.
Tola Showunmi returns to the starting lineup at center forward. The Englishman has tallied three goals this season, all in the U.S. Open Cup. Friday marks his second league start of the year, and first since the season opener at Lexington SC on March 6.
Jansen Wilson is the lone member of the attacking trident to retain his starting place. The Elizabethtown, Ky., native leads LouCity with 15 shots and seven shots on target, across all competitions. He’s scored two goals and registered two assists.
Reigning USL Championship Player of the Year Taylor Davila retains his place in the midfield and will be joined by Babacar Niang. The 24-year-old from Senegal, on loan with Louisville from Minnesota United FC of MLS, will make his first league start for the club and third overall. He scored last week in a U.S. Open Cup win at Lexington SC.
The backline features a consistent center back trio — Kyle Adams, Brandon Dayes and Sean Totsch, who have made 17 combined starts between them — with new wingbacks: Dia on the left and Sam Gleadle on the right.
In goal, Hugo Fauroux makes his return to his former club. The 29-year-old made 79 league starts for Loudoun over the last two seasons before signing with Louisville in December.
The bench features regular starters Jake Morris, Ray Serrano, Chris Donovan and Manny Perez, who each have made at least four starts this year.
Team sheet at Loudoun United FC
1 – Hugo Fauroux
13 – Amadou Dia
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
5 – Brandon Dayes
4 – Sean Totsch
23 – Sam Gleadle
8 – Taylor Davila
19 – Babacar Niang
25 – Jansen Wilson
27 – Evan Davila
14 – Tola Showunmi
Substitutes: 12 – Danny Faundez; 3 – Jake Morris, 6 – Zach Duncan, 7 – Ray Serrano, 9 – Chris Donovan, 15 – Manny Perez, 16 – Carlos Moguel Jr., 47 – Mukwelle Akale
