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Louisville City FC seeks to keep making history in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when they host Nashville SC of the USL in the round of 16. City is one of just three USL sides remaining in the competition, along with Nashville SC and Sacramento Republic FC.

City comes into the match riding a seven-match unbeaten streak, which most recently includes a pair of draws against Penn FC and Bethlehem Steel as well as a monumental 3-2 victory over MLS club New England Revolution in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.

When & Where
The match will take place on Wednesday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Louisville’s Lynn Stadium.

The match will be aired on Bounce TV, as well as streamed on USsoccer.com. Fans can listen to the match on 790KRD. Fans can also follow #LOUvNSH on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: Bounce TV
RADIO: 790KRD
STREAM: USSoccer.com

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Last Time Out
Louisville City FC earned a point in a rollercoaster draw at home to Penn FC. In LouCity’s first match at Louisville Slugger in nearly a month, the visitors got off to a rapid start as Lucky Mkosana scored less than 15 seconds into the match.

City recovered nicely thanks to a laser from Paolo DelPiccolo that found the net from distance. Forward Ilija Ilic then bagged two more before the break and City went into the half holding a 3-1 lead. The second half would prove to be tougher for City on the defensive end, though, as Penn FC would add a second of their own in the 63rd minute and an equalizer in the 84th minute. The six-goal outing marked the highest combined scoreline of any match for City this season.

– U.S. OPEN CUP: CITY TO HOST NASHVILLE SC IN OPEN CUP ROUND OF 16 –

Rewind against Nashville SC
Louisville City FC has faced off against Nashville twice already this USL season, with each match ending 2-0 in favor of the hosts.

In the USL season opener, the “Boys in Purple” conquered the soon-to-be MLS expansion side thanks to second-half goals from Luke Spencer and Niall McCabe. It was a dream start for the defending USL Cup champions.

In the reverse fixture at First Tennessee Park in Nashville, two goals from Lebo Motolo meant Nashville took all three points the second time around. That match marched just one of three times all season that City had failed to score a goal, also serving as the last time City lost a match.

James O’Connor’s pre-match press conference:

On how it feels to be in the U.S. Open Cup fifth round:
“Look, we’re excited. I think, obviously, a very important game, I think. But also for the supporters, another chance to sample the atmosphere at Lynn. I think we’ve all really enjoyed playing there, I think the supporters, especially, I think they’ve been able to get a great atmosphere, and I think we’ve been really really pleased with the performances we’ve had there and also the fact that we’ve been able to get out there. Again, it’s great from U of L to allow us to play there again, and we’re very appreciative of the fact that we can go and play at such a lovely stadium.”

On how playing at Lynn affects the team:
“I think it allows the supporters to have sort of a different gameday experience. I think the supporters can get closer to the field, I think it gives them an opportunity to maybe get a little bit closer to the action, but also to maybe affect the game a little bit more, because they’re a bit closer, maybe a little bit more intimidating, get right close behind the goal, and the players have to walk through the supporters at halftime and leading out to the game. So, I think it creates a special atmosphere that our players have really enjoyed playing in front of.”

On Cam and Richard’s injury situation:
“Richard we’re still waiting on. I think Cam, we’re still – that’s going to be one we leave really late. I think potentially could risk him, but we’ll have to see. Something I want to sleep on, to be honest, and see, do we risk him. That obviously, dislocation and coming back, I mean the doc has given us some kind of percentage, but we’ll see.”

On if there’s an added excitement for the U.S. Open Cup:
“I think there’s an excitement with the cup competitions. I think everyone feels that. I think there was a very special atmosphere against New England, I think there was a real excitement, and I think the more you go on in any cup competition, I think the excitement sort of gets, you know, enhanced. So, I think for us it’s something we’re really looking forward to, hopefully we can – I know the reserved seating is sold out, so I know there’s limited space available, so we’re hopeful that we’ll get a sellout and that we get a lot of people into the stadium to help push us on.”

Team News
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
QUESTIONABLE – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)

Louisville City FC shared a point with visiting Penn FC in a 3-3 draw on Saturday night. The match began a stretch of five games in 14 days for LouCity across all competitions, though four of those five contests are in Louisville.

City trailed inside the opening 15 seconds on a goal from Penn FC’s Lucky Mkosana but scored three unanswered to close out the first half up 3-1. However, goals in the second half from Mkosana again and substitute forward Prince Baffoe helped the Harrisburg natives return home with a draw.

What Happened?
Louisville City FC coach James O’Connor looked at himself when describing the nature of the team’s draw with Penn FC in front of 7,978 at Slugger Field. Though frustrated, O’Connor stressed the importance of moving forward with the same processes in place.

“There were lots of issues. And look, it’s on me. There were things that I should’ve done differently. So, I should’ve helped the lads more,” he said.

“Look, the process is still the same. Obviously really frustrating. That’s the issue I think is trying to manage the frustration. I think obviously – for us when you’re three-one up, we expect to go win the game and that’s great credit to the players. That’s where I needed to do a better job.”

Forward Ilija Ilic agreed, stating that the start jolted them into a quick and necessary response.

“Well, I think it was just a lack of concentration for a few seconds. Paco [Craig] made a mistake but the important thing is that we bounced back pretty quickly. I’ve never seen us respond to that kind of goal right away and scoring two goals so quickly,” he said.

“[But] I think we thought the game was won already. We dropped too deep and they had chances to play more and then that’s when you get frustrated.”

As of Saturday night, LouCity sits in second place with 24 points on 12 games played, six points behind FC Cincinnati, who have collected 30 points from 15 games. The team looks ahead to another midweek test in the U.S. Open Cup, this time against Nashville SC in the Round of 16. Tickets for the 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Lynn Stadium are available at louisvillecityfc.com/opencup

The Key Points:

• Penn FC forward Lucky Mkosana scored inside the opening 15 seconds to put the visitors in front
• Captain Paolo DelPiccolo’s technical strike just eight minutes later brought City level
• Forward Ilija Ilic joined the party with goals in the 12thand 45thminute, his third and fourth of the 2018 USL Regular Season
• Lucky Mkosana bagged his brace with a goal just after the hour mark
• Substitute Prince Baffoe brought Penn FC level with an 85th minute hit

Coach James O’Connor’s post-Penn FC press conference:
Coach, just give me your impressions on the first point of the night from Penn FC:
“I thought first half we had good stuff. Looked as if we had good control. Looked as if we were going to go on and continue that control. I think you have to give Penn credit. I thought the second half they caused us a lot of problems and obviously was really disappointed and I think we are all really disappointed with the second half performance.”

When you look at the space in the first half, you guys had plenty of it on those three goals. Do you think that space disappeared in the second half or do you think you guys took your foot off the gas?
“Yeah, I think special awareness is something we speak a lot about. I don’t know if the space came away. I think we just seemed to get a little shell-shocked. We seemed to almost protect what we had rather than stay on the forefront and trying to continue. I think, as I said, you need to give Penn a lot of credit. They gave us a lot of problems and in the end Greg [Ranjitsingh] makes a great save and we’ve gone from a game where we were in control to maybe even losing. At the end, I’m grateful for Greg for being able to make that save.”

Cam [Lancaster] and Luke [Spencer] unavailable tonight. Did you like what you saw out of the trio of Magnus [Rasmusen], Brian [Ownby] and Ilija [Ilic]?
“Yeah, look Ilija took his goals really well. Fantastic, so great movement from the players. I thought – first half especially – we were a real threat, but that’s not a surprise to me. I know how good the players are. We’ve got really good players, so I think for me that wasn’t the surprise. It was great to see that, but we see so much of it in training.”

Injury Report:
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)

Louisville City FC 3 : 3 Penn FC
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Slugger Field | Louisville, KY
90 degrees / sunny
Attendance: 7,978

Scoring Summary:
PEN – Lucky Mkosana 1’
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo (Ilija Ilic) 9’
LOU – Ilija Ilic (Sean Totsch) 12’
LOU – Ilija Ilic (Kyle Smith) 45’
PEN – Lucky Mkosana 63’
PEN – Prince Baffoe 85’

Disciplinary Summary:
PEN – Isaac Osae 32’

Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Paco Craig, Alexis Souahy (Pat McMahon 74’); Paolo DelPiccolo (Niall McCabe 65’); Kyle Smith, Devon “Speedy” Williams, Magnus Rasmussen, Brian Ownby (George Davis IV 56’); Ilija Ilic

Bench: Chris Hubbard, Tim Dobrowolski, Shaun Francis

Louisville City FC seeks to extend its six-game unbeaten streak to seven when they welcome Penn FC to town this weekend. The visitors come in off the back of consecutive wins for the first time in the 2018 season but currently sit 11th in the table.

Meanwhile, LouCity hold firm in second place just four points off the top with two games in hand.

TICKETS: Louisville City vs. Penn FC

When & Where
City is back at Louisville Slugger Field for the first time since mid-May on Saturday when they host Penn FC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

WBNA carries the match on the tube while 840 WHAS will broadcast the match live over the airwaves. Fans can also follow #LOUvPEN on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: WBNA
RADIO: 840 WHAS
STREAM: ESPN+

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Last Time Out
Louisville City FC traveled to the home of Bethlehem Steel FC for the first time this year and secured a 0-0 draw at Goodman Stadium to continue the team’s impressive run of form.

City was hampered by an early injury to forward Cameron Lancaster, but a resolute defensive performance kept the hosts at bay. Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh and his defense kept their fifth clean sheet of the year in the draw.

U.S. OPEN CUP: LouCity hosts Nashville SC in Round of 16 clash

Rewind against PENN FC
This is the first time the pair will meet in the 2018 season.

KY Lottery Kees to the Game
Looking to keep all three points in Louisville, here are a few Kees to the Game presented by Kentucky Lottery:
1. Move the ball
2. Watch the set pieces
3. Create centrally

Daniel Byrds’s pre-match press conference:

On the Cameron Lancaster situation:
“Yeah, I saw Cam today. Cam has a dislocated shoulder, he will not be training this week, he’s got another check-up on Monday, I believe, and we should know the prognosis on whether or not he could be involved on Wednesday’s game [against Nashville].”

On who will play up top:
“One of the things with our team, we’ve got multiple guys that can play multiple positions, and they can score goals. Our team, we’re not completely reliant on a striker to score goals. We’ve got a plethora of guys. As you recall, last year, I think everybody on the team scored. So, we’re not too concerned with where the goals are going to come from. But, there’s guys. Ilija can play up top, Brian can play up top, and Richard can play up top, so we’re not too concerned with that.”

On the ‘next man up’ mentality:
“Absolutely. I think for us the strength of our squad is each individual player. We’re not one of those teams that has their starters and then their reserves. Every one of our guys can step up, as you say. It’s not really even stepping up, everyone’s always ready to contribute. So, all of our guys are ready to play when they’re called upon.”

On Greg and Tim’s equally impressive performances this season:
“I think it’s a testament to all of their hard work, Thabane as well. I think every day, even on their off days, if Tim or Chris haven’t played, they’re in training. I think that speaks to how ready we all are to step in and play when we’re called upon.”

On what needs to happen to feel confident ahead of the Penn match:
“I think, you know, we’re always feeling confident. We look to have a good week’s training. We just—I think it’s going to help having a full week’s training without a game in between. So, we’re just focusing on what we need to do and looking forward to the next match.”

Team News
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)

Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Councilmembers, and officials from Louisville Parks and Recreation helped dedicate a new five-a-side soccer field at Beechmont Community Center in south Louisville today. 

Funding for the new soccer field is the result of a partnership between the Louisville Parks Foundation, a non-profit that supports Louisville Parks and Recreation, and Louisville City FC. The outdoor artificial turf field is the first of five planned for local parks in south Louisville. 

“Soccer is a growing sport in our community. So when the opportunity presented itself to add this new amenity to parks, with the help of our friends at LouCity, we seized it!,” said Louisville Parks Foundation, CEO, Brooke Pardue. “We hope other individuals and organizations will see the value and help us complete our goal of building four more fields.” 

“As our community and team continue to grow, LouCity makes this donation with the future in mind. The community’s youth will be an integral part of both our city and our support one day and we are excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Brad Estes, Executive Vice President of Louisville City FC. 

5-a-side soccer is a variation of soccer, where each team fields five players. Other differences include a smaller pitch, smaller goals, and a reduced game duration. Matches are played on artificial grass pitches that may be enclosed within a barrier or “cage” to prevent the ball from leaving the playing area and keep the game flowing.

The $75,000 project was funded by the Louisville Parks Foundation and includes a turf donation from Louisville City FC valued at $45,000. The Louisville Parks Foundation is seeking to raise an additional $383,000 to complete the other four fields. 

Anyone interested in donating to future fields should contact Brooke Pardue or visit lpfky.org.   

About the Louisville Parks Foundation:
The Louisville Parks Foundation was formed as a non-profit in December 2005 to support parks and community programs not funded by other local non-profits. In 2013, the Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular opened in Iroquois Park and the producers of the show partnered with the Louisville Parks Foundation, which became the recipient of the proceeds. Since then, the foundation has completed major projects in California, Lannan, and Russell Lee parks. In addition to the soccer field project, the Foundation is also currently raising funds to install the first “Skate Spot” in the Midwest at Breslin Park. For more information, visit www.lpfky.org.
 

About Louisville City FC:
Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team. The 2017 season marked the third year of play for LouCity in the United Soccer League (USL), a professional soccer league based in the United States and Canada. On October 26, the Louisville Metro Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new soccer-specific stadium in the Butchertown neighborhood with a projected opening slated for March 2020. 

Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Get the latest news on LouCity FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. 

NEW YORK (June 13, 2018) – The United Bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States was selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ earlier today by the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow. For the first time in history, FIFA’s Member Associations were given the opportunity to vote on the host for the FIFA World Cup™.

They did so by a vote of 134 to 65. Today’s vote, which occurred a day before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in Russia, also marks the first time three nations have been selected to co‐host a FIFA World Cup™ and the first time the FIFA World Cup™ will be played in North America in 32 years. The United Bid offers FIFA and its 211 Member Associations unity, certainty, and opportunity as they prepare to host the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history, which will be expanded to a 48‐team format.

“Hosting a FIFA World Cup™ is an extraordinary honor and privilege,” said Steven Reed, President of Canada Soccer and Co‐Chair of th e United Bid. “Canada, Mexico, and the United States are ready to welcome the world to North America and serve as stewards of the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history. Our vision is of a world of opportunity for our Candidate Host Cities and for the global football community.”

“We are grateful for the chance to bring to life FIFA’s new vision for the future of football,” said Decio de Maria, President of Mexico Football Federation and Co‐Chair of the United Bid. “Together—in partnership with our Candidate Host Cities, the Member Associations, and FIFA—we will use this platform to unite the world around football and help create a new and sustainable blueprint for the future of FIFA World Cups™.”

“Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is a rare and important moment to demonstrate that we are all truly united through sport,” said Carlos Cordeiro, President of U.S.Soccer and Co‐Chair of the United Bid. ‘We are humbled by the trust our colleagues in the FIFA family have put in our bid; strengthened by the unity between our three countries and the CONCACAF region; and excited by the opportunity we have to put football on a new and sustainable path for generations to come.”

With the FIFA Congress decision to award the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, to the football federations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the three nations will jointly manage preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ until FIFA establishes their operations to manage the competition. Among other decisions, FIFA will make the final selection of host cities for the 2026 competition from the 23 candidates proposed in the United Bid.

Each of the United Bid’s 23 proposed stadiums are fully built, occupied, and operational, ensuring long‐term use following the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. In addition, the United Bid has 150 existing world‐class training facilities, millions of hotel rooms, and advanced infrastructure.

The United Bid is expected to generate more than $14 billion in revenue and $11 billion in profits for FIFA, which will be shared with the 211 FIFA Member Associations, hel ping further develop and expand the game of football across the globe.

2026 FIFA World Cup Facts and Figures:

Number of Teams: 48
Number of Matches: 80
Number of Players: +1,100

Candidate Host Cites: 23
Proposed Training Sites: 150

Projected Revenue: $14 billion
Projected Profit: $11 billion
Projected Economic Impact: $5 billion
Projected Ticket Sales: 5.8 million

About the United Bid Committee
The United Bid Committee was created by the football federations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States to manage the bidding process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

Though City’s opponents and their respective level of play vary from week-to-week, one thing remains constant for midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo – his motivation.

“Just winning,” said DelPiccolo. “When everyone on the team is motivated to win, it doesn’t matter who sees it or how we do it, we just all want to win and get to the top where we were last year.”

The Colorado native, named team captain before the 2017 season opener, has logged over 5,200 minutes since joining the club after a stint with the Charlotte Independence.

Manning the middle of the pitch, DelPiccolo credits the leadership of his teammates for the job done as captain of the defending USL champions.

“I think that we have a bunch of leaders and everyone knows their job, so my job is pretty easy as the captain,” said DelPiccolo. “I just really wear the armband and rely a lot on the other guys to do their job, which everyone does.”

While administering an attack that has seen forward Cameron Lancaster tally six goals in 2018 and assisting his backline to a USL-best eight goals conceded, DelPiccolo’s help comes from both sides of the pitch.

Some of the reliance DelPiccolo has on his teammates traces back to intense preseason training, where the club’s developed fitness becomes useful as the eight-month regular season carries on.

“We have good fitness around the team and it helps immensely because Coach [O’Connor] asks us to do a lot during the games and to do that much work for so many games in a row, preseason is a really important part of building that fitness,” said DelPiccolo.

Though the preseason fitness is advantageous, the club’s skipper doesn’t forget the culture of day-to-day grind implemented by Coach O’Connor.

“Coach’s biggest thing is coming to work here every day,” said 6-foot-1 DelPiccolo. “Training is hard here. It’s a real grind every day.”

Forward Luke Spencer has undergone a successful operation on his right knee in Louisville, the club today announced. Spencer is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks.

“We’re optimistic about the procedure Luke has had, as it was a minor surgery,” said Scott Ritter, ATC at Baptist Health. “Our team physicians have assured us that the operation was successful and that Luke will make a full recovery”

Spencer, 27, led the team in goal production last year after joining in the offseason from FC Cincinnati. Prior to his injury, he made seven appearances with two starts. The forward bagged LouCity’s first goal of the 2018 season in a 2-0 win over Nashville SC on March 17.

Louisville City FC returns to USL action this Saturday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET live on WBNA and 840 WHAS. For more information, visit www.loucity.com.

– LouisvilleCityFC.com | Follow Louisville City FC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram–

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About Louisville City FC
Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team.  The 2017 season marked the third year of play for LouCity in the United Soccer League (USL), a professional soccer league based in the United States and Canada. On October 26, the Louisville Metro Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new soccer-specific stadium in the Butchertown neighborhood with a projected opening slated for March 2020.

Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Get the latest news on LouCity FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.­­