Louisville City FC’s 2017 season will start with shades of its inaugural opener, back in 2015 when Saint Louis FC also visited Slugger Field. The boys in purple will hope for a similar result — it was a 2-0 final score then — when the Kings’ Cup rivalry renews at 2 p.m. Saturday.
With the early kickoff, LouCity is slated to play the first game of the United Soccer League season. Here’s what to watch for…
Tickets
Single game tickets start at $15, while LouCity offers a five-voucher flex pack for $70 and season tickets at as low as $180 (just $11.25 per game). Buy before game day to save on your purchase, and call (502) 384-8799 to avoid online fees.
Tune In
TV: WDRB, Louisville’s Fox affiliate, will air the game live and in high definition. Mike Watts (play by play) and Alberto Munoz (color) have the call.
Radio: Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 p.m. on 840 WHAS and the iHeartRadio app. T.J. Walker (play by play) and Jeff Milby (color commentary) have the call.
Streaming: Watch live on the USL Match Center.
Follow Along
For Starting XI information and in-game updates, check us out on social media. It’s @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook and louisvillecityfc on Instagram.
Links
• LouCity facing unknowns with Saturday’s opponent
• Videos: O’Connnor, Morad preview Saint Louis FC game
• Make the most of Saturday with our game day checklist
• Louisville native Ballard set for professional debut
• Spotlight on LouCity from the Voice-Tribune
• SBNation.com previews the 2017 season
Notes
Getting to the points: Since entering the USL, LouCity’s 108 points in 58 regular-season games played are most of any club in the league. Three points are earned for a victory and one for a draw. LouCity is 31-15-12 overall.
Independent Louisville: LouCity advanced to the Eastern Conference Final last year for the second straight season. Of the final four teams left in the league. LouCity was the only one not owned or operated by a Major League Soccer franchise.
Coaching consistency: Head coach James O’Connor, assistant Daniel Byrd and Thabane Sutu, who coaches goalkeepers, this week signed new contracts good through the 2020 season, when LouCity plans to open its soccer-specific stadium. Their team’s goal differentials — plus-21 in 2015 and plus-25 in 2016 — ranked second in the USL.
New sponsorship: Louisville-based GE Appliances was announced this week as LouCity’s front-of-jersey sponsor, following in the footsteps of Humana, which adorned kits in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The club will continue to wear purple at home with white and gold on the road.
Moving up: The USL in January earned provisional Division II status from U.S. Soccer, putting it on even footing with the North American Soccer League and just one rung below MLS. The USL will field 30 teams in 2017, including new Eastern Conference clubs the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC.
Core returns: James O’Connor executed options on or secured under new contracts 13 players from last year’s team. Combined, they made starts at all 11 positions, included in the bunch co-second-leading scorers George Davis IV and Guy Abend.
The founders: Seven players are back for a third season with LouCity, here since the club started play in 2015. They are goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh, defenders Tarek Morad and Sean Reynolds, midfielders Niall McCabe and Guy Abend as well as forwards Cameron Lancaster and Ilija Ilic.
The City’s own: LouCity signed its first Louisville native this offseason in Richard Ballard, a midfielder who graduated from DuPont Manual High School and played at Indiana University. Paolo DelPiccolo, who graduated from the University of Louisville, and University of Kentucky grad George Davis IV are also back for another season.
Newcomers’ theme: LouCity’s recent signings have a history of winning. Midfielder Devon “Speedy” Williams was part of a New York Red Bulls II team that took both the USL’s regular-season and playoff titles. Midfielder Sean Russell played for a title-winning team in Ireland last year. And defender Sean Totsch took the USL title in 2015 with the Rochester Rhinos.
Battle at striker: Chandler Hoffman, who led LouCity with 14 goals last season, has departed. The striker spot was wide open in the preseason with returners Ilija Ilic and Cameron Lancaster competing for playing time along with Luke Spencer, a new signing from FC Cincinnati. Each are looking to feature as a consistent starter at the pro level for the first time.
Injuries/discipline: Injuries/discipline: Midfielder Niall McCabe has recovered well from season-ending hip surgery last fall. He’ll be available for selection Saturday. Defenders Sean Reynolds (three games) and Paco Craig (one game) are both suspended for the opener after shown red cards in the final game of 2016. LouCity midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye will also miss the opener while on international duty with Canada’s U-23 national team. He also plays Saturday in a tournament in Qatar.
