Chris Donovan, Jansen Wilson and Mukwelle Akale will lead the Louisville City FC attack Saturday, as the club hosts Detroit City FC at 8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium.
The trio has accounted for 23 of LouCity’s goals this season, including 16 of Louisville’s 37 goals in league play.
Wilson has scored 12 goals overall and seven goals in league play, both leading the club. Donovan’s 13 goal contributions (eight goals and five assists) are second only to Wilson’s 15 on the team. For Akale, two of his three goals have come in the last two months, including the lone goal in LouCity’s most recent home game on Aug. 8, a 1-1 draw with San Antonio FC.
Wilson and Akale are among four total changes LouCity interim head coach Simon Bird has made to his lineup for the game against third-place Detroit.
The other changes include Evan Davila starting in the midfield in place of Zach Duncan, who misses out due to injury. Davila will start alongside his older brother, Taylor, in the middle of the park. The brothers have combined for 35 starts this season, in all competitions.
On the backline, Manny Perez returns to the starting lineup at right wingback. Aiden McFadden, who started in the spot last week, shifts inside to one of three center back positions, replacing Sean Totsch who moves to the bench.
Otherwise, the starting lineup is consistent with last week’s starters in a 2-1 loss at Indy Eleven.
Captain Kyle Adams and teenager Brandon Dayes join McFadden as the back three. Notably, Adams scored his second goal of the season last week. For Dayes, Saturday will be his third straight start after returning from international duty with the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team.
Jake Morris retains his position at left wingback, opposite Perez. Saturday will be Morris’ eighth consecutive start.
Danny Faundez starts for the second straight week. Hugo Fauroux remains injured. Faundez leads LouCity with 36 saves in all competitions, including 24 in the USL Championship.
On the bench, Totsch, Ray Serrano and Amadou Dia offer ample experience. Tola Showunmi, Quenzi Huerman, Sam Gleadle, Cameron Duke and Academy player Cooper Conley join them, with Ryan Troutman standing as the backup goalkeeper.
The game is Keep Louisville Weird Night, a celebration of the local businesses that make Louisville unique, in partnership with the Louisville Independent Business Alliance. For tickets and more information, visit LouCity.com/weird.
Team sheet vs. Detroit City FC
12 – Danny Faundez
3 – Jake Morris
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
5 – Brandon Dayes
2 – Aiden McFadden
15 – Manny Perez
8 – Taylor Davila
27 – Evan Davila
25 – Jansen Wilson
47 – Mukwelle Akale
9 – Chris Donovan
Available substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 4 – Sean Totsch, 7 – Ray Serrano, 13 – Amadou Dia, 14 – Tola Showunmi, 21 – Quenzi Huerman, 23 – Sam Gleadle, 28 – Cameron Duke, 99 – Cooper Conley
