There’s another game of interest for Louisville City FC supporters before the club’s return to the pitch Saturday in United Soccer League Play.
Wednesday night, the PDL’s Derby City Rovers will host Tartan Devils FC in a U.S. Open Cup First Round game at the Woehrle Athletic Complex in Jeffersonville. The winner advances to play LouCity in a Second Round game on May 17.
Should the Rovers prevail, that next game will be played as well at Woehrle, 4200 Charlestown Pike. LouCity would travel to Pittsburgh should Tartan Devils FC move on in the U.S. Open Cup.
The Derby City Rovers and LouCity could potentially face off for the first time. Adding to the intrigue, the Rovers recently announced the signing of forward Kenny Doublette, who last year spent his rookie season with the boys in purple.
“While Kenny’s a proven goal-scorer, we think he has the ability to be a complete striker,” said Rovers assistant coach Lwandiso Gonya. “He can hold the ball up for the team as a back to goal target man, he can stretch the field by attacking the space behind the defense, and he can create for teammates with the dribble and the pass. We feel his versatility will suit our style of play and complement the other talented players we have in this year’s team.”
Tickets to Wednesday’s game, which starts at 7:30 p.m., are available at RoversSoccer.com.
Another massive matchup
A rematch Saturday between LouCity and the Tampa Bay Rowdies appears as high-profile as the last one, a 2-1 LouCity victory attended by 9,074 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.
With 14 points through eight games, the Rowdies are second in the USL Eastern Conference table. LouCity sits third with 12 points in six games.
In the latest USL Power Rankings, LouCity ranks third overall in the league, with the Rowdies at No. 5 coming off a draw with Ottawa Fury FC.
“Back on home turf this Saturday night,” wrote the USL’s Nicholas Murray, “Tampa Bay will want to take some revenge against Louisville City FC from the first meeting between the clubs this season, and cement its position in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of Head Coach James O’Connor’s squad.”
Added Murray on LouCity: “Louisville had a week off, and got to take in plenty of the Kentucky Derby weekend’s festivities, which likely left them Always Dreaming of a championship of their own this season.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. Tune in on WDRB-41, 840 WHAS or here at LouisvilleCityFC.com.
Our 2018 Derby horse?
On an April 26 team trip to Lexington’s Keeneland racecourse, a 2-year-old colt named Salmanazar made his debut a successful one, winning for trainer Todd Pletcher and under jockey John Velazquez — the same connections to Derby winner Always Dreaming.
LouCity’s players visited the winner’s circle and celebrated the victory. Perhaps it won’t be the last time they do it, especially if Salmanazar goes on to become a 2018 Derby prospect.
Club co-owner Jim Shircliff, who also had a stake in 2017 Derby runner Fast and Accurate, told The Courier-Journal he’d like LouCity to be part of any major celebrations.
“Since the soccer team was such good luck for the horse at Keeneland, we’re going to see if we can get the soccer team invited to the Derby next year,” Shircliff said. “It would be fun if we could get the team to the Derby.”
Tom Mueller, a LouCity board member, also owns a piece of Salmanazar as part of the Starlight Racing partnership.
