He’s back for more, this time from the start.
Louisville City FC forward Mukwelle Akale will make his first start for the club on Wednesday night in the second round of the 111th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Lexington SC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Lexington SC Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
Hampered by injury, Akale has been limited to just 73 minutes over three appearances this season, all off the bench, but he’s made the most of them.
Akale scored the tying goal in LouCity’s come-from-behind win at Lexington in the season opener, on March 6, silencing a sold-out Lexington crowd. It was his first — and so far only — goal for LouCity. He signed with Louisville from New Mexico United in January.
Akale will start on the right wing of the LouCity attack Wednesday night against Lexington, less than a month after that memorable rivalry goal.
He joins a starting lineup that includes four changes for LouCity’s 1-0 win at Brooklyn FC over the weekend. Additionally, there are five changes from Louisville’s 2-0 win over Southern Indiana FC on March 18 in the first round of the tournament.
Tola Showunmi, who scored both goals in that first round win, starts as the center forward. Jansen Wilson, who is tied for the team lead with four total goal contributions — two goals and two assists — starts opposite Akale on the left flank.
Babacar Niang, on loan from Minnesota United of Major League Soccer, starts in the midfield. The game will be his second start in purple, the other coming in the opening round win against Southern Indiana.
Taylor Davila will start next to Niang in the midfield. The reigning USL Championship Player of the Year is off to an impactful start this season with two assists, both in league play.
The backline sees one change, but with a shift. Carlos Moguel Jr. will play center back for the second time this season — he played 90 minutes there against Southern Indiana.
His inclusion shifts Jake Morris back to his preferred left wingback spot, after he deputized at center back over the weekend at Brooklyn.
Sam Gleadle, who started at left wingback in New York, will move to the right in place of Manny Perez, who is available off the bench in Lexington.
Stalwart center backs Kyle Adams and Sean Totsch will fill out the backline. Adams is the only LouCity player to start all five games this season, across competitions. Totsch is one of six to have appeared in all five.
Hugo Fauroux starts for the fourth straight game in goal. He made his debut in LouCity’s Open Cup win over Southern Indiana, posting a clean sheet. He’s made eight saves on ten shots faced so far this season.
On the bench, Zach Duncan, Ray Serrano and Chris Donovan have all already scored this season, should interim head coach Simon Bird be in need of a goal. Amadou Dia and Evan Davila round out the available substitutes, with Ryan Troutman serving as backup goalkeeper behind Fauroux.
Team sheet at Lexington SC
1 – Hugo Fauroux
3 – Jake Morris
16 – Carlos Moguel Jr.
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
4 – Sean Totsch
23 – Sam Gleadle
19 – Babacar Niang
8 – Taylor Davila
25 – Jansen Wilson
47 – Mukwelle Akale
14 – Tola Showunmi
Substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 6 – Zach Duncan, 7 – Ray Serrano, 9 – Chris Donovan, 13 – Amadou Dia, 15 – Manny Perez, 27 – Evan Davila
