Louisville City FC will start its pursuit of a USL Cup with an opening-round playoff game set for 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 at Louisville Slugger Field, the club announced Wednesday.
Seeding and an opponent are still to be determined, though with one more victory, LouCity would lock up the USL Eastern Conference’s No. 2 spot and face the No. 7 finisher on the table.
“Being able to host at least one playoff match again this season is a testament to the quality of our team and desire to bring USL championships to Louisville,” said LouCity president Amanda Duffy. “Due to stadium availability as well as consideration of other historical events in the Louisville community, our first-round playoff match will be played on Sunday evening.
“We are thrilled to have another opportunity to play in front of our fans, who continue to show the best support in USL.”
Tickets to the Oct. 2 game are on sale now for LouCity season ticket holders and package buyers only through Sunday. Seats remaining after that will then open to the general public, with admission starting at $15.
For tickets, visit this link, call (502) 384-8799 (option 3) or email tickets@louisvillecityfc.com. College students with a valid ID are also eligible for a $5 ticket at the door or the LouCity office, 127 S. 6th Street, starting Monday.
LouCity sports a short but successful home playoff tradition. Former striker Matt Fondy scored twice in overtime last year — the club’s inaugural season — to register a 2-0 win over the Charleston Battery. A crowd of more than 8,500 rooted on the boys in purple.
Currently on a three-game winning streak, this year’s LouCity team sits at 16-4-8, already having registered more points (56) than the 2015 team (48).
Should LouCity claim the No. 2 seed, it would also be in line to play a second-round game at home. The New York Red Bulls II, the USL Eastern Conference’s regular-season champion, have locked up the top seed.
Eight teams from the Eastern and Western conferences advance to the single-elimination playoffs. This year, 29 teams are playing in the USL.
The postseason opener will mark the first time LouCity has played a home game on a Sunday. Before the playoffs, the club travels to meet rival Saint Louis FC at 8:30 p.m. Saturday before hosting the Charlotte Independence at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.
Renewals remain underway for 2017 LouCity season tickets, with a number of benefits available to those who re-up with the club. Representatives are also accepting new season ticket accounts for next year.
