Louisville City FC has signed defender Sebastian Sanchez and forward Hunter Sekelsky to USL Academy contracts ahead of the 2022 season, it was announced Wednesday.
The deals, pending league and federation approval, allow the pair of local teenagers to train with and play for the first team while retaining their amateur status ahead of this weekend’s season opener. LouCity will kick off its 34-game USL Championship campaign at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Atlanta United 2 inside Lynn Family Stadium.
“This is another very important day here at Louisville City FC,” said LouCity head coach Danny Cruz. “When we look at the job our academy staff is doing with young players, it is no surprise that they come in to our environment prepared and ready to compete. With continued focus, hard work and a willingness to learn, we know that players have taken the step from an academy contract to a professional first team contract.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we will continue to provide young players a pathway to be on the field with our first team.”
Sanchez, the son of LouCity Academy Director Mario Sanchez, is a Ballard High School senior and 2021 All-State selection who’s committed to play collegiately at NCAA Division 1’s DePaul University. He frequently featured in the club’s preseason games, including a 90-minute shift in a win over the USL Championship’s El Paso Locomotive FC.
Last year, Sanchez played regularly for LouCity’s USL Academy League squad that went 6-3-1 and boasted a +20 goal differential. He was also invited to play in the Elite Clubs National League Regional All-Star Game.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity that LouCity has given me to further grow as a player,” Sanchez said. “I can’t wait to continue helping out the team as they begin their season.”
“We are very excited to to add Sebastian to the group this season,” Cruz added. “He is a young defender who comes to training every day looking to improve and progress. He has had an impressive preseason with us this year and has contributed in every preseason game. When I look at his growth over the past two and a half years, I come away very impressed with where he is today. We are looking forward to him taking this step in his development and are excited to see him contribute to the first team this season.”
Sekelsky, a University of Louisville freshman, graduated from the Louisville Collegiate School, where he was recognized as a 2020 High School All-American and First Team All-State selection, among other honors.
As with Sanchez, Sekelsky featured on last year’s USL Academy League squad.
“I want to thank Coach Cruz and the rest of the LouCity staff and team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” Sekelsky said. “I’m excited for this step, but there’s still more work to do.”
“Throughout camp Hunter has come into training and games with a tremendous work ethic and that right mentality,” Cruz added. “He is another one of our academy kids that we have been tracking closely. When he got his opportunity this preseason with the first team, he absolutely took it. He is a strong, quick, attacker that does an excellent job applying pressure to the opponent and creating opportunities out of nothing.”
Four players have thus far earned professional deals after coming through LouCity’s academy system: brothers Elijah and Josh Wynder, plus Carlos Moguel Jr. and Owen Damm.
LouCity’s youth system — which works alongside its girls counterpart, the Racing Louisville Academy — launched in 2020 with a vision to develop more professional, collegiate and national team players than any club in the country.
