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Louisville City FC have launched a new volunteer group for fans who wish to assist in the growth of the United Soccer League club and soccer throughout the region.

Christened, the LouCity Bourbon Brigade in honor of the region’s rich bourbon heritage, this new formal volunteer group will have the opportunity to work directly with the LouCity front office and team by helping grow the soccer club’s supporter base.

As a complement to the great work already done by the existing recognized and independent supporters groups, the LouCity Bourbon Brigade will be made up of fans who will have the opportunity to volunteer to assist directly, specifically and within the LCFC front office by helping in the following areas to help grow the LouCity fan base:

 *   Become a Lou City ambassador and assist and help staff LCFC events
 *   Use their own contacts and networks in the community to help expand the LouCity season ticket base
 *   Use their working experience to assist LouCity in generating new season ticket sales leads, season ticket renewals and assist with promotional events and campaigns throughout the year
 *   Support the club’s charitable and community-orientated efforts
 *   Assist in the club’s efforts to have a new stadium built in Butchertown

Fans who join the new volunteer team will earn the opportunity to be rewarded formally for their time and efforts with recognition, great rewards and prizes and unique money-can’t-buy LouCity experiences including:

 *   An opportunity to meet the team and coaching staff at an exclusive event
 *   Attend a closed-door team practice and a team talk from Coach James O’Connor
 *   Earn exclusive club merchandise
 *   Have their photo taken with their favorite LouCity player
 *   Earn a chance to travel with the club to a road game and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a trip to an English Premiership match
 *   Help introduce the team as part of the Bourbon Brigade Tunnel on match day

Fans interested in joining the Bourbon Brigade can apply at the club’s website www.louisvillecityfc.com/bourbonbrigade

Membership of the group is by application only and open to anyone aged 18 or over. Interviews for successful applicants will take place in November. Please note, this is not a supporters group. LouCity greatly values our independent supporters groups and encourage all fans who wish to join a supporters group to contact one of the recognized LouCity supporters groups.

Fans can apply to join the volunteer group at www.louisvillecityfc.com/bourbonbrigade or call Jon Davis at (502) 384-8799, ext 114 or email him at jdavis@louisvillecityfc.com

While it may be his first season with Louisville City FC, Oscar Jimenez has not wasted any time making an impact. Most recently referred to as “pulling the strings” by the USL, Jimenez often does not receive recognition for what he does for the team. 

The Mount Vernon, Wash. native made his USL debut in 2015 with the Tulsa Roughnecks. The following season saw him slip down to the PDL, before becoming a late signing with LouCity in the beginning of 2017. 

From a club standpoint, Jimenez leads the team in minutes played and is tied for most starts. In the entire USL, he has the most chances created, currently at 71. While he may not have the most goals or assists, Jimenez has been able to create the opportunities for LouCity that allow them to be where they are heading into Friday. 

“I’ve just been trusting the process,” said Jimenez on how he has found success this season. “At the beginning of the year, we talked about the process of being a successful team. It’s just been something in the back of my head, something that I think about every single day- stick to the process, stick to what you’re good at, do your job, so I’ve been focusing on my part and luckily been doing well and able to keep confident.”

The midfielder found success in both matches against Bethlehem earlier this season. In Louisville’s 3-1 win, Jimenez contributed two assists. Most recently, Jimenez helped LouCity grab another point on their path to becoming Eastern Conference Champs, getting the equalizing goal in the 76th minute against the Steel.

When asked what he is doing to try and repeat his earlier success against the Steel, the midfielder said “I just have to remember the spacing, and where the good areas to play are. Just go out there and have fun, basically. Enjoy the game and not try to think too much on it, whether it be who were playing or that it’s a playoff game.”

Jimenez looks to be the main playmaker for LouCity heading into the playoffs that he has been all season, adding to his total chances created for the 2017 season. 

After Richmond defender Mallan Roberts rocketed a shot past goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh shortly before the half, the boys in purple found themselves in a familiar situation.

For the second game in a row, Louisville City lost the lead to the visiting side and needed second-half push to pull away with three points – the hosts didn’t disappoint.

“I think when you look at the quality that we have, it’s getting the ball to the key players and moving the ball quickly,” said head coach James O’Connor on his clubs ability to score.

With the 2-1 lead late in the second half, both Sean Totsch and Mark-Anthony Kaye took shots from well outside the box, something the club hasn’t seen much of this season.

The aggressive style of play came after rookie Richard Ballard took a shot just outside the box, only to be deflected by Cameron Lancaster, finding the back of the net and taking back the lead. The pressure poured on until the final whistle blew.

“I think at times tonight – not enough times, but we did it – throughout the course of the season we’ve played some really good football, and that’s testament to the players,” added Coach O’Connor.

Having wrapped up the 2017 regular seasons as the Eastern Conference champions, Louisville City will open the playoffs as hosts to Bethlehem Steel.

As for seeing more aggression as the playoffs begin, Coach O’Connor said he’s comfortable with his players taking shots from deep if the opportunity presents itself.

“If you can strike the ball well, then we’re open to that,” added Coach O’Connor. “I think the biggest thing is trying to get the players to understand the picture that’s in front of them, because the picture will always change.”

Here’s more from the match…

• LouCity posted its highest time of possession through the first fifteen minutes of any match this season with just under 75%. The club would eventually finished with 63.7% to the Kickers’ 36.3%.
• Defender Tarek Morad was given the penalty kick in the 33rd minute and a chance to record the first goal of Saturday’s match. After following up a deflection off the Richmond goalkeeper, Morad became the last of the field players to score a goal for the boys in purple.
•  Louisville City begins post-season play as the hosts against eighth-ranked Bethlehem Steel. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7:30 pm.

Following his penalty rebound goal conversion during Louisville City FC’s 3-1 win over Richmond Kickers last Saturday night at Slugger Field, defender Tarek Morad has been named to USL Team of the Week.

Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye received USL Team of the Week Bench for scoring the third goal of the night against the Kickers resulting in a 3-1 final score.

Morad scored his first goal of the season, and contributed a solid defensive performance, with three tackles and two clearances to help Louisville claim victory in their final match of the USL regular season.

Morad was given the spot kick honors by his LouCity team-mates after Brian Ownby was dragged down in the Richmond penalty box. His shot from the penalty spot was initially blocked by Kickers’ ‘keeper Marcel DeBellis, but Morad made good on the rebound.

As a result, all 17 of Louisville’s field players have scored for the club this season.

Morad and Kaye will be back on the pitch with the boys in purple Friday, Oct. 20th for the first round of the USL Cup Playoffs at 7:30 p.m. at Slugger Field. 

USL Team of the Week

GK – Odisnel Cooper, Charleston Battery: Cooper recorded a four-save shutout to earn the Battery the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory on the road in the Southern Derby against the Charlotte Independence.

D – Jordan Burt, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Burt scored a goal either side of halftime to help the Switchbacks rally to a 4-2 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC in their final game of the regular season.

D – Tarek Morad, Louisville City FC: Morad scored his first goal of the season and put in a good defensive performance with three tackles and two clearances to help Louisville claim a 3-1 victory against the Richmond Kickers.

D – Darnell King, Tampa Bay Rowdies: King put in a strong two-way performance in the Rowdies’ 2-0 win against Orlando City B, creating two chances, winning nine of 11 duels and recording three tackles.

M – Sebastian Velasquez, Real Monarchs SLC: Velasquez scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Monarchs in a 2-1 win against the LA Galaxy II and completed 43 of 48 passes while winning 6 of 9 duels.

M – Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos: Forbes recorded a goal and assist, as the Rhinos took a pair of victories over the week to earn the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.

M – Kenney Walker, FC Cincinnati: Walker recorded one goal, one assist and also helped set up the game-winning goal, as Cincinnati rallied to take a 4-3 victory against Toronto FC II on Saturday night and the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.

M – Kevaughn Frater, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Frater scored a pair of goals, including an outstanding free kick, to help the Switchbacks rally to a 4-2 victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday night.

F – Jose Angulo, OKC Energy FC: Angulo had a goal and two assists, as Energy FC ran its winning streak to four games and claimed the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with a 3-1 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Sunday night.

F – Didier Drogba, Phoenix Rising FC: Drogba scored an outstanding goal and provided the assist on another by Chris Cortez, as Phoenix closed the regular season with a victory against Portland.

F – Ever Guzman, San Antonio FC: Guzman had three goals and one assist, as SAFC closed out its regular season with two victories to claim the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the USL Cup Playoffs.

Bench: Evan Newton (SAC), Mark-Anthony Kaye (LOU), Shaan Hundal (TOR), Jochen Graf (ROC), Brent Richards (RNO), Sammy Ochoa (SAC), Irvin Parra (OC)

Louisville City FC host Bethlehem Steel FC in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs at Slugger Field Friday.

The post-season fixture was finalized after Steel FC drew, 1-1, with St. Louis FC on Sunday afternoon, pushing the Pennsylvania side into eighth place in the final USL regular season standings with 44 points, and eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff seedings.

After winning the Eastern Conference regular season, LouCity (18 wins, 6 losses and 8 ties) are ranked first seed in the USL Eastern side of the post-season playoff bracket, and now host the bottom-seeded team, Steel FC (12-12-8) in the opening round.

LouCity have already met Bethlehem twice during the 2017 regular season, winning the first meeting 3-1 away from home, on August 20, at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, and tying the second meeting – LouCity’s first Friday night fixture – 2-2, on September 15, at Slugger Field. In the all-time series, LouCity leads with two wins and two draws.

Defender, Richie Marquez gave Steel FC their only goal against LouCity when the two met in August and forwards Corey Burke and Santi Moar got on the score sheet for Bethlehem when the clubs drew 2-2 at Slugger Field.

Coached by Brendan Burke, Bethlehem features the potent international attacking duo of Dutch-born midfielder Seku Conneh, who led the club in the regular-season goal scoring with 10 in 25 appearances for the club, and Jamaican striker Burke, who netted nine goals in 24 regular-season appearances.

Irish midfielder James Chambers can also be something of a goal-scoring threat for Steel FC from his position, posting five in 27 games, while goalkeeper Jake McGuire has racked up 74 saves and five clean sheets in 22 appearances, but has also let in 26 goals.

The official USL affiliate of the Philadelphia Union, Steel FC claimed one of the eight conference playoff spots when Orlando City B fell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. It is the club’s first appearance in the USL Playoff Cup.

In only its second season of modern existence, Steel FC has had a strong sophomore regular season campaign, setting a club record for victories (12), goals (46) as well as netting an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak during the summer.

There’s no other way to put it. 

This Louisville City FC team is special. 

LouCity fans have been spoiled with the success brought by the numerous players and coach James O’Connor over the club’s first two seasons, but this year, with an even-smaller squad, O’Connor’s side took things to a new level. 

Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Richmond Kickers at home set a new club record for wins in a season (18), points (62), goal differential (+27) and goals scored (58). In addition, the club became likely the first team in United Soccer League history to have each of its field players score a goal during the regular season, as Tarek Morad blasted home a rebound off a missed penalty kick (For the record, four other teams have 17 goalscorers this season in USL as well). 

The last record is both a testament to O’Connor’s scouting ability as well as a testament to the players, many of whom have battled through injury and fatigue at different times this season to lead Louisville City to first place in the Eastern Conference. 

“I think the biggest thing for us is trying to focus on the process,” O’Connor said Saturday evening. “I think what’s stood us in good stead this year has been taking one game at a time, making sure training has had a good intensity to it and that everyone supports each other.”

In Louisville’s first two seasons, the team had a main striker to lean on. In the inaugural season it was Matt Fondy, who won MVP honors with 23 goals, followed by Chandler Hoffman’s 17 goals last year. 

But Hoffman tailed off down the stretch, giving Louisville City some issues going forward with no consistent goal scorer. 

This season, in front of goal, the team has found out that anyone can finish if put in a good position. It’s evidence of the selfless attitude that O’Connor mentioned that has kept this team winning more often than not. 

Saturday was a perfect example. After Brian Ownby won the penalty kick in the 32nd minute, the team immediately looked to get the ball in Morad’s hands so he could pick up his first goal of the season. After scoring on the rebound, Morad was mobbed by his teammates as they celebrated his personal achievement as much as taking a lead. 

On Louisville City’s second goal, a corner kick from Oscar Jimenez in the 84th minute was headed away from goal by a Kickers defender. Instead of trying to head the ball towards goal or letting it go over his head, Smith headed the ball backwards towards some teammates, teeing up Richard Ballard to find Cameron Lancaster for his seventh goal of the season. 

Two minutes later, Kaye scored again, and while his was a mainly individual effort, the play wouldn’t have happened without teammate Devon “Speedy” Williams dropping back and blocking a passing lane before intercepting a pass. The rest was pure magic from Kaye. 

“That’s just the team,” LouCity captain Paolo DelPiccolo said. “We’ve got good players all the way through. One to (20) are all great players, so it’s not a mistake that something like that happens. Everyone’s contributed, not just by scoring, but in other ways as well.”

After two straight years getting knocked out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference finals, this team is primed for a deep run once more in the playoffs. Perhaps this special group of players can lead the team over the line and finally make it to the USL Cup. 

But let’s take it one game at a time, and enjoy each match along the way. 

Opinions expressed in this piece were not subject to club approval. For more insights on LouCity, follow former Courier-Journal reporter Dan Karell on Twitter: @DanKarellPreps. 

Louisville City FC will host Bethlehem Steel FC in Round 1 of the USL 2017 Playoffs at Slugger Field this Friday, October 20, kickoff 7:30pm.

The first-round, post-season fixture was finalized after Steel FC drew, 1-1, with St. Louis FC on Sunday afternoon, pushing the Pennsylvania side into eighth place in the final USL regular season standings with 44 points, and eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff seedings.

After winning the Eastern Conference regular season, LouCity (18 wins, 6 losses and 8 ties) are ranked first seed in the USL Eastern side of the post-season playoff bracket, and now host the bottom-seeded team, Steel FC (12-12-8) in the opening round.

Lou City have already met Bethlehem twice during the regular season, winning the first meeting 3-1 away from home, on August 20, at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, and tying the second meeting, 2-2, on September 15, at Slugger Field.

City rounded out the regular season in style with a 3-1 win on Saturday night over the Richmond Kickers in front of 9,103 at Slugger Field.

Tarek Morad scored his first goal of the season for LouCity while Cameron Lancaster and Mark-Anthony Kaye struck decisively late in the game to secure the victory for the boys in purple. As a result, all 17 of Louisville’s field players have scored for the club this season.

Following the match, the club celebrated winning the Eastern Conference regular season on 62 points with their supporters in a party atmosphere on the pitch.

Louisville concluded the 2017 USL regular season with the most points in its history, the club also finishing top of the Eastern Conference for the first time.

Tickets for the playoff match are available by calling the LouCity ticket office at (502) 384-8799 or visiting louisvilecityfc.com/playoffs.

Louisville City FC finished their regular season in style with a 3-1 win Saturday night over the Richmond Kickers in front of 9,103 at Slugger Field. Tarek Morad scored his first goal of the season for LouCity while Cameron Lancaster and Mark-Anthony Kaye struck decisively late in the game to secure the victory for the boys in purple. As a result, all 17 of Louisville’s field players have scored for the club this season.

Following the match, the club celebrated winning the Eastern Conference regular season on 62 points with their supporters in a party atmosphere on the pitch. Louisville ends the 2017 USL regular season with the most points in its history, and the club also finished first in the Eastern Conference for the first time.

Ranked No. 1 overall in the East, Louisville will have to wait and see if Bethlehem Steel FC can win on Sunday. Should Steel secure three points against Saint Louis FC, Louisville would host the New York Red Bulls II in the quarterfinals, while a loss or a tie in that match would mean Bethlehem would travel to play the No. 1 seed.

Following the match, LouCity coach James O’Connor, said: “I’m delighted we were able to win the game, but Richmond certainly caused us problems all game.”

In the 32nd minute, LouCity got their break when they were awarded a penalty kick after Brian Ownby was brought down in the penalty box. Tarek Morad stepped up to take the kick for LouCity, but Richmond keeper Marcel DeBellis parried the strike only to watch Morad net the rebound for Louisville’s first score of the night.

Right on the 45th minute, Mallan Roberts of the Kickers found a pass from Matt Bolduc and was able to sneak it pass Greg Ranjitsingh for the equalizer just before the halftime whistle blew.

Opportunity knocked for Louisville after the re-start when Luiz Fernando of Richmond was shown a red card, knocking Richmond’s field players to 10 for the remainder of the match. 

After a back-and-forth rally following the sending off, Louisville re-took the momentum in the 84th minute when Richard Ballard sent the ball to Lancaster who shot it over the goal line for LouCity.

Two minutes later, victory was secured when Kaye dribbled through the Kicker’s defense and rocketed a shot past DeBellis for a goal in the 86th minute. 

“Mark-Anthony’s goal was excellent, and Cameron showed good feet and got a touch. They both impacted the game in a really good way,” said coach O’Connor on their second-half goals. “I thought the guys that came on impacted the game really well.”

LouCity, the Eastern Conference Champions, will host an opening round match of the USL Playoffs Friday, October 20th at Slugger Field.  

Game Recap

Match: Louisville City FC vs Richmond Kickers

Date: October 14, 2017 

Venue: Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville, KY

Kickoff: 7:35 pm 

Weather: 77 degrees, sunny

Attendance: 9,104

Man of the Match: Tarek Morad

Scoring 

Louisville City FC (1,2,3) 

Richmond Kickers (1,0,1)

Goals

Louisville City:

33’ – Tarek Morad records the first goal of the match after his follow-up from a denied penalty kick found the back of the net

84’ – Cameron Lancaster took the late lead on a deflection after Richard Ballard rifled a shot from outside the box

86’ – Mark-Anthony Kaye ripped a shot after a breakaway off a Richmond turnover

Richmond Kickers:

45’+1 – Mallan Roberts slips a goal past LouCity goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh on an assist from Matt Bolduc

Lineups 

Louisville City starting lineup: 1 Greg Ranjitsingh, 24 Kyle Smith, 4 Sean Totsch, 15 Sean Reynolds, 6 Tarek Morad, 19 Oscar Jimenez, 80 Devon Williams, 36 Paolo DelPiccolo, 10 Brian Ownby (23 Richard Ballard – 59’), 12 Luke Spencer (9 Cameron Lancaster – 67’), 22 George Davis IV (7 Mark-Anthony Kaye, 45’)

Louisville City subs: 28 Tim Dobrowolski, 13 Micah Bledsoe, 14 Ilija Ilic, 8 Guy Abend

Head coach: James O’Connor

Richmond starting lineup: 1 Marcel DeBellis, 27 Raul Gonzalez, 31 Braeden Troyer, 2 William Yomby (8 Evan Lee – 54’), 15 Mallan Roberts, 18 Alex Lee, 17 Oscar Umar, 24 Jackson Eskay (14 Yudai Imura – 67’), 71 Luiz Fernando, 32 Matt Bolduc (16 Paddy McCann – 77’), 20 Mikey Minutillo

Richmond subs: 22 Alex Wimmer, 5 Conor Shanosky

Head coach: Leigh Cowlishaw

Discipline 

Louisville City FC:

38’ – George Davis IV, yellow

Richmond Kickers:

34’ – Mikey Minutillo, yellow

40’ – Oscar Umar, yellow

68’ – Luiz Fernando, red

Stats

Louisville City FC/Richmond Kickers

Shots: 17/8

Shots on target: 12/1

Possession (%): 63.7/36.3

Passes: 535/302

Corners: 7/2

Fouls: 10/9

Officials

Referee: JOSHUA BROOKS

Assistant referee 1: Brooke Mayo

Assistant referee 2: Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein

4th official: Hagan Curd