For the second time this season, Louisville City FC goalkeeper Danny Faundez will warm up as the starter. This time, he’ll be hoping he actually sees the field.
League-leading LouCity (14-1-5, 47 points) hosts New Mexico United (8-8-2, 26 points) at 8 p.m. Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium. A win could clinch a playoff place for the boys in purple, depending on other results.
The 32-year-old Faundez was slated to start Louisville’s May 24 trip to Monterey Bay FC, but an injury during warmups prevented him from seeing any action.
Louisville’s regular No. 1, Damian Las, is unavailable Saturday due to injury, opening the door for Faundez to start in a competitive match for the first time in over a year. His last came on May 8, 2024, in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 game at the Seattle Sounders. Faundez made one save in regular time and three in a penalty shootout.
Overall, since joining LouCity in 2022, Faundez has made 14 appearances for the club, 13 of them starts. But he holds a special place in LouCity lore.
Faundez notably started each game of Louisville City’s 2022 Eastern Conference title-winning playoff run in place of the injured Kyle Morton, making nine saves in three games. He helped LouCity advance past the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, denying Danny Griffin in a penalty shootout.
Elsewhere, Jake Morris starts for the first time in a USL Championship regular season game this year, returning from an injury that’s kept him on the sideline for over a month. He last appeared off the bench against FC Tulsa on July 23. Morris has made one start this season, a 1-0 win over North Carolina FC in the USL Jägermeister Cup on June 29.
Morris starts at left wingback, with Aiden McFadden on the right. In the middle, Kyle Adams, Arturo Ordóñez and Josh Jones round out the back five.
Taylor Davila, now tied for the league lead with eight assists, pairs with Kevon Lambert in the midfield. Saturday marks the seventh straight start for the duo. LouCity is unbeaten in that time.
Ray Serrano and Jansen Wilson start in the wide attack, with the USL Championship Golden Boot leader, Phillip Goodrum, starting in the middle. That trio has accounted for 11 goals over the last six games.
Among the substitutes, Adrien Perez is notably available for the first time since June 14, having recovered from injury.
The game is Teacher Appreciation Night at Lynn Family Stadium, with discounted tickets and drink specials for educators. For tickets and more information, visit LouCity.com/teachers.
Team sheet vs. New Mexico United
12 – Danny Faundez
3 – Jake Morris
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
24 – Josh Jones
5 – Arturo Ordóñez
2 – Aiden McFadden
17 – Taylor Davila
31 – Kevon Lambert
7 – Ray Serrano
25 – Jansen Wilson
9 – Phillip Goodrum
Substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 4 – Sean Totsch, 10 – Brian Ownby, 11 – Niall McCabe, 13 – Amadou Dia, 16 – Adrien Perez, 53 – Cameron Lancaster, 80 – Hayden Stamps, 83 – Brandon Dayes
