The ever-versatile Sam Gleadle is set to make his first USL Championship start of 2026 for Louisville City FC Saturday evening when it visits league newcomer Brooklyn FC at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Gleadle comes into the lineup at left wingback for what could be LouCity’s 200th regular-season win. The 30-year-old has made two appearances for Louisville this year across all competitions. Of the two, his lone start came in the U.S. Open Cup first-round match against Southern Indiana FC 10 days ago. In all, Gleadle totaled five starts in 19 league games played in 2025.
Brandon Dayes, who is on international duty with the United States Under-18 National Team in Portugal, is the only absentee from last week’s 4-2 win over Rhode Island at Lynn Family Stadium. Dayes, a budding star in defense, has looked more like an experienced veteran this season at 17, leading the team in successful passes so far (165).
With Dayes missing, Jake Morris will shift inside from wingback to center back, joining captain Kyle Adams and Sean Totsch in the middle of defense. Morris and Adams each scored in the RIFC victory.
They’ll provide the protection ahead of goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux, who starts for the third consecutive game across all competitions Saturday. The French shot-stopper made six saves in his regular-season debut for the boys in purple last weekend.
Opposite Gleadle, Manny Perez keeps his spot at right wingback. Perez has played in each of Louisville’s opening few matches so far, with this being his fourth start of 2026. He also won more duels (8) and completed more dribbles (3) than any LouCity player versus Rhode Island.
The consistency continues through the rest of the lineup. Zach Duncan and Taylor Davila make up LouCity’s midfield pairing for the second match running. Chris Donovan continues to start up top, with Ray Serrano and Jansen Wilson completing the threatening front three. Each has contributed to at least two goals during league play so far.
Amadou Dia returns to the matchday squad for the first time this season, headlining the available impact players off the bench for Bird. Others include Tola Showunmi and Mukwelle Akale — two attacking options who have scored this season.
Thomas Weinrich, the 17-year-old LouCity Academy product, also returns to the team Saturday as a substitute.
Team sheet at Brooklyn FC
1 – Hugo Fauroux
23 – Sam Gleadle
3 – Jake Morris
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
4 – Sean Totsch
15 – Manny Perez
8 – Taylor Davila
6 – Zach Duncan
7 – Ray Serrano
25 – Jansen Wilson
9 – Chris Donovan
Substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 13 – Amadou Dia, 14 – Tola Showunmi, 16 – Carlos Moguel Jr., 19 – Babacar Niang, 27 – Evan Davila, 47 – Mukwelle Akale, 97 – Thomas Weinrich
