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Louisville City FC didn’t come away with the desired three points Sunday, but the 4,850 on hand for Lynn Family Stadium’s debut still experienced the moment.

In front of what’s believed to be the largest crowd at a team sporting event since the COVID-19 pandemic shut leagues down, LouCity midfielder Devon “Speedy” Williams scuffed in the first goal in stadium history, sending the physically distanced, purple-clad fans into a frenzy.

Visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC registered a trio of unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory, however, spoiling the Lynn Family Stadium opening day fairytale up against an effort LouCity coach and sporting director John Hackworth said “just wasn’t good enough.”

“Once we got up a goal, we should have been established and more in control of the game,” Hackworth said. “We did the opposite. We had turnover after turnover. We played very direct at that point, and consequently we were tired from defending so much.

“One part I know we can fix is, when that happened, we have to have some resolve. We have to have an answer.”

Sunday’s contest marked a USL playoffs rematch with LouCity, who defeated Pittsburgh in the 2019 postseason. The Hounds, meanwhile, had won the Eastern Conference’s regular-season crown. An ESPN/Deportes and SiriusXM FC national audience turned into the encore.

To boot, LouCity was granted government approval to host games at 50% capacity given temperature checks would be taken for patrons, masks were worn while maneuvering the concourse and distance was kept. Under facility operator ASM Global’s Venue Shield plan, capacity was closer to 30% of Lynn Family Stadium’s 15,304 maximum.

“It felt good,” Williams said of his goal. “It’s a historic moment, and I’m glad I was the one who scored that goal.

“…It was unreal to be honest,” Williams added of the environment. “It felt like a real professional game. Everything just felt right. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the win.”

Williams’ conversion was a deserving one when he initially put the boys in purple out front. Thanks to consistent service on the left side from midfielder Brian Ownby, LouCity already had a close look at goal when a 13th-minute ball was left for Corben Bone at the center of the box.

Five minutes later, Ownby had a cross deflected, Bone redirected with a header and Williams stepped up, grounding his shot through traffic and into the back of the net.

The lead didn’t quite make it into the locker room as, in the 45th minute, Pittsburgh’s Jordan Dover slipped past LouCity’s back line and accepted a lob from the star midfielder Kenardo Forbes. He beat the keeper one on one.

Defensive lapses by LouCity led to the game’s other two goals. Just 30 seconds into the second half, midfielder Robbie Merz, moving quickly to his left, deftly shifted a shot to the opposite post right to score. And in the 51st minute, midfielder Anthony Velarde tapped in a teammate’s cross after the boys in purple turned over possession deep in their own half.

LouCity ultimately out-shot Pittsburgh 11-6, but the flurry of shots came before Pittsburgh put itself on the board.

The Riverhounds were one of three remaining opponents on the 2020 schedule not from the USL Championship’s Group E consisting of Indy Eleven, Saint Louis FC and Sporting KC. A pair of clubs from each group move on to the playoffs after completing a 16-game result season.

“The nice thing is Pittsburgh wasn’t in our group, so we get to start over with Saint Louis — try to take some points off of them because in the end, two teams come out of our group and there’s four teams,” Ownby said, with LouCity back home at 8 p.m. Saturday.

“Our mindset is now Saint Louis and trying to take some away from them…. I think [after a] long layoff, the legs are heavy, but in the end that can’t be an excuse, so we need to have that will and that fight out there. And I didn’t think we showed it in the last 30, so I think this week that is what we need to just focus on – the mentality part.”

Game Summary

Match: Louisville City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Date: July 12, 2020

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

Weather: 82 degrees, Partly cloudy

Man of the Match: Devon “Speedy” Williams

Attendance: 4,850

Scoring

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (1, 2, 3)

Louisville City FC (1, 0, 1)

Goals

Louisville City: 18’ Devon Williams — right footed shot, outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Corben Bone’s header. 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 45’ Jordan Dover — right-footed shot, center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kenardo Forbes. 46’ Robbie Mertz — left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom-right corner. Assisted by Ropapa Mensah. 51’ Anthony Velarde — left-footed shot from the center of the box to the high center of the goal. Assisted by Ropapa Mensah. 

Stats Summary: LouCity / Pittsburgh

Shots: 11 / 6

Shots on Goal: 3 / 4

Saves: 1 / 2

Corner Kicks: 9 / 4

Fouls: 8 / 17

Offside: 1 / 2

Lineups

Louisville City FC: 39- Ben Lundt, 8- Akil Watts, 3- Alexis Souahy, 5- Jimmy Ockford (55’ 9- Luke Spencer), 19 Oscar Jimenez, 36- Paolo Del Piccolo (55’ 27- Napo Matsoso), 80- Devon Williams, 13- Corben Bone (64’ 11- Niall McCabe), 14- Abdou Thiam (64’ 29- Antoine Hoppenot), 10- Brian Ownby (83’ 42- Jonathan Gomez), 17- Cameron Lancaster

Subs not used: 1- Chris Hubbard, 4- Sean Totsch

Head Coach: John Hackworth

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: 18- Tomas Gomez, 22- Hunter Ashworth (66’ 12- Danny Griffin), 34- Skylar Thomas, 17- Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 7- Ryan James, 5- Jordan Dover, 11- Kenardo Forbes, 14- Robbie Mertz, 4- Dani Rovira (63’ 8-Dakota Barnathan), 15- Anthony Velarde (90+4 33- Lukas Fernandes), 3- Ropapa Mensah (66’ 16- Mark Forrest)

Subs not used: 1- Danny Vitiello, 24- Anthony Mwembia, 6- Xhelil Asani

Head Coach: Bob Lilley

Discipline 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: 27’ 22-Hunter Ashworth, yellow card. 89’ 8-Dakota Barnathan, yellow card. 

Along with ideal sight lines and seating in proximity to the pitch, Lynn Family Stadium will offer Louisville City FC fans amenities fit to feel like the club’s longterm home upon opening Sunday.

Final touches are being put on a superior local soccer experience ahead of a 5 p.m. kickoff against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. LouCity officials expect capacity to reach approximately 30% of Lynn Family Stadium’s 15,304-person maximum, owing to physical distancing protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those on site can indulge in local food and drink, solar-powered device charging stations and touch-free hydration spots. That’s in addition to a state-of-the-art video board — second-largest in Kentucky behind Churchill Downs’ massive screen — and digital boards circling the east side of the playing surface.

Stadium WiFi is free to the public by logging on through the reinforced LFS-Guest network. Restrooms are also numerous, designed to deal with a soccer game’s halftime rush or a much larger crowd on site for concerts or other stadium uses.

Walking the concourse, LouCity supporters will find sensor-activated water filling stations provided by The Louisville Water Company. Fans are permitted to bring in one empty clear, plastic bottle to refill at them.

Game attendees in need of some energy can charge up at five solar-powered charging stations thanks to Louisville Gas and Electric Company. Each of the LG&E solar tables offers four electrical outlets, eight USB ports, and wireless charging capabilities. The picnic table-style design allows patrons to take a load off and relax in the shade of the solar canopy above.

LG&E’s solar technology supports 75-150 handheld mobile device charges per day and is compatible with tablets, laptops, cameras and other similar equipment.

“Incorporating solar energy into the stadium’s state of the art design made perfect sense,” said LG&E Vice President of Communications and Corporate Responsibility Chris Whelan. “The stations take advantage of the natural resource provided by the sun and let folks enjoy games and other events without worrying about their devices running out of charge. We’re proud to provide an amenity that helps this new venue come to life for our community.” 

As far as food options, Hometown Pizza is among familiar restaurant offerings. Butchertown’s Best features a barbecue-heavy menu, while Shelbygrille Road offers more familiar American fare. A taqueria, gourmet popcorn stand, Ehrlers Ice Cream and Kroger Marketplace (including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options) figure to be fan favorites, too.

Bars also dot Lynn Family Stadium with custom setups for bourbons such as Maker’s Mark, Four Roses and Cooper’s Craft in which each brand can create its own signature cocktails. Lining the open end of Lynn Family Stadium is the 72-foot Modelo Scoreboard Bar believed to be the longest of its type in Kentucky. LouCity fans can also purchase Falls City Beer, Yuengling and Miller, among other brews.

Opening 90 minutes before kickoff alongside gates, is the Butchertown 1020 Beer Garden connected to the east side of the facility.

More information on Lynn Family Stadium can be found in an A to Z guide detailing how COVID-19 will influence the fan experience this season. LouCity is scheduled to play 10 of its remaining 15 USL Championship games at home with fans following stadium operator ASM Global’s VenueShield program calling for cashless operations, masks/face coverings and temperature checks among other safety measures.

The return to play will be a special for all Louisville City FC players itching to open Lynn Family Stadium at 5 p.m. Sunday against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. But for Niall McCabe, the club’s only player from its inaugural 2015 season to have remained on the roster throughout LouCity’s history, there’s a different ring to it.

The attacking midfielder signed with LouCity at its beginning and has gone on to become a face of the franchise, taking part in five straight Eastern Conference Final appearances in addition to two USL titles in 2017 and 2018.

McCabe, who played a full 90 minutes in LouCity’s only other game this season, a 1-0 victory March 7 at North Carolina FC, recognizes what Sunday will mean in the bigger picture. With the backdrop of the stadium’s debut, an ESPN2 audience and supporters back in the stands, he’s also viewing the moment through a smaller lens.

“I’ve just been training hard, and I’m looking forward to it, really,” McCabe said. “It’s going to be the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, so for sure it will be a special time. It’s important for us to make sure we win and make it memorable.”

McCabe, a model of consistency in the LouCity lineup, logged just short of 3,000 minutes played in 2019, when he scored three goals and completed 75.6% of his passes, most of those in the opponent’s half of the pitch.

The 29-year-old Irishman’s turned his efforts to another challenge as of late: working through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve been pretty professional in how we’ve approached it in terms of not going anywhere unnecessary,” McCabe said. “The emphasis for us is really hammering home that now is probably the most important time to stay professional and limit what we’re doing.”

In the days leading up to their first home game, LouCity coach and sporting director John Hackworth has continued to emphasize the importance of this team’s experience. Consider McCabe, who arrived out of Georgia’s Young Harris College and settled in Louisville to start his family, the embodiment of that.

“I think, for Niall, this is just part of his path here at Louisville City,” Hackworth said. “He has seen it all. He’s done it all, and he is very proud of this moment, opening Lynn Family Stadium.”

And as for seeking out a win Sunday? McCabe sees himself, and his teammates, raising their games inside the new venue.

“I really think it’s just that kind of next level of professionalism,” he said. “It’s a world-class facility, and when you’re in and around that environment, it kind of just gives you that extra feeling of this is what professional football should be like.”

In conjunction with the USL Championship, Louisville City FC has set game times for its remaining regular-season fixtures and received another home date at Lynn Family Stadium.

Sunday’s 5 p.m. kickoff with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, with national coverage on ESPN2 and SiriusXM FC, represents the earliest the boys in purple are expected to kick off during their final 15 games.

LouCity’s next eight contests will all be played at Lynn Family Stadium, including an Aug. 15 matchup against Loudon United FC that has shifted to Louisville. Home games will kick off at 8 p.m. in the heat of the summer before dialing back to 7:30 p.m. in the fall.

RELATED: Sync the schedule to your calendar!

A majority of LouCity’s games will be played against “Group E” opponents Indy Eleven, Saint Louis FC and Sporting KC II to limit travel requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The USL previously approved unbalanced schedules allowing for a club to host more than it plays away.

See a full listing of games and locations below with all times Eastern. An updated broadcast schedule consisting of local TV (WDRB’s family of networks) and radio (iHeart Media stations) will be announced later.

• Sunday, July 12: LouCity vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (5 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, July 18: LouCity vs. Saint Louis FC (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, July 25: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Wednesday, July 29: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, Aug. 8: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Wednesday, Aug. 12: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, Aug. 15: LouCity vs. Loudon United FC (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven (8 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, Aug. 29: Saint Louis FC vs. LouCity (8 p.m. at West Community Stadium)

• Saturday, Sept. 5: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity (7 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium)

• Saturday, Sept. 12: LouCity vs. Saint Louis FC (7:30 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Wednesday, Sept. 16: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity (7 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium)

• Saturday, Sept. 19: LouCity vs. Memphis 901 FC (7:30 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium)

• Saturday, Sept. 26: Saint Louis FC vs. LouCity (8 p.m. at West Community Stadium)

• Saturday, Oct. 3: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (7:30 p.m. Lynn Family Stadium)

Leading up to Sunday’s USL Championship restart, Louisville City FC’s ticketing staff has finalized procedures allowing many of the club’s most loyal supporters in for Lynn Family Stadium’s inaugural game.

Regulated physical distancing protocols have narrowed projected stadium capacity to approximately 30% of the facility’s regular 15,304-person maximum for LouCity’s 5 p.m. matchup with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Ticketing partner SeatGeek’s physical distancing software made available 2,502 of 9,288 chairback seats. Six feet, or the equivalent of three empty chairs, are required between family seating pods.

Others admitted to Sunday’s game will be located in clubs or standing room-only supporter zones behind both goals.

“This has been a painstaking process, but one done with great care to ensure a safe experience for fans,” said Mitch Ried, LouCity’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re working under strict requirements based on the governor’s approval to open the stadium that will leave more seats empty than filled.

“We will continue to evaluate our fan capacity on a game-by-game basis as the 2020 season continues.”

Those without tickets Sunday can tune in on ESPN2, News Radio 840 WHAS and SiriusXM FC.

In June, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and facing the prospect of a drastically altered season, a high number of LouCity season ticket members opted to donate their funds to the club in the event they wouldn’t be allowed to attend games in 2020.

Each of those account holders — now recognized as “Honorary Owners” — have been presented a ticket option for Sunday’s game.

“The nature of distancing people around the stadium presented challenges,” Ried said. “That includes relocating most ticket holders away from their regular 2020 seats. We acted in good faith to reward our supporters with a way into such a long-awaited game, and original seating assignments will be reserved into the 2021 season.”

Those admitted to LouCity games are asked to follow stadium operator ASM Global’s VenueShield program. ASM Global, which operates facilities on five continents, also counts Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center among its 325 points worldwide.

The plan — with full details at www.loucity.com/VenueShield — necessitates temperature checks upon entry, physical distancing and that masks/face coverings be worn throughout Lynn Family Stadium. Additionally, only clear bags will be allowed in, and the facility will operate cash-free to minimize touch points.

LouCity is scheduled to play its next six USL Championship games (and 10 of the remaining 15 overall) at Lynn Family Stadium. Players are likewise following league guidelines formed in concert with the USL Players’ Association to safely return to play. 

“Thankfully right now we’re in a good spot in the country and our players and our staff have done a good job,” LouCity coach and sporting director John Hackworth said. “We’ve just got to keep mitigating all of those interactions so we can continue that as we go on.”

Having entered Louisville City FC’s first game week since March, coach and sporting director John Hackworth says he’s “really pleased with our preparation especially being a condensed time to really get ready.”

Hackworth, who spoke to reporters Monday at Lynn Family Stadium, did so a day after the boys in purple completed their third and final intrasquad scrimmage. The dress rehearsals were designed to lead up to Sunday’s 5 p.m. kickoff against Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC.

Hackworth said there’s little 2020 film to go off from this opponent, as the Hounds are one of a few USL Championship squads that didn’t open their season before play paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The fact that they didn’t play a game really leaves a lot of questions that won’t be answered until we kickoff,” Hackworth said.

WATCH: Coach Hackworth’s full press conference

Yet with Bob Lilley at the helm for Pittsburgh, a defensive-minded rival figures to enter Lynn Family Stadium matching up with LouCity’s more open style of play.

These clubs met in the Hounds’ most-recent game, the USL’s Eastern Conference semifinals. LouCity posted a 2-1 away victory en route to winning the conference title for a third straight season.

There’s plenty of focus on what’s happening off the pitch, too, leading into Sunday’s showdown airing on ESPN2, News Radio 840 WHAS and SiriusXM FC.

“We as a team have been having some really good and hard, difficult conversations since two weeks before we started the season back in March,” Hackworth said.

LouCity’s neither carrying injuries into the restart nor has the roster experienced a COVID-19 positive. Players and staff are tested regularly per league rules.

Life around the game has looked a little different for everyone, Hackworth added, but they’re attacking it as a team. 

“We just try to make sure we’re being safe,” he said.

Many players are self-isolating away from the pitch, avoiding practices such as eating out or attending gatherings. Accordingly, low coronavirus numbers in Kentucky have allowed fans in the building and LouCity a national showcase as it opens Lynn Family Stadium.

“From a selfish standpoint, I’m really excited about people around this country seeing what we look like and how we go out and play,” Hackworth said. “That’s an opportunity that all of us don’t want to miss.”

Louisville City FC will welcome a dynamic pair of voices to the radio booth this season calling USL Championship games on iHeartRadio’s family of networks.

Clay Ables has been appointed to play-by-play duties with Jeff Greer taking on the color commentary spot beginning with Sunday’s 5 p.m. Lynn Family Stadium opener against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Ables, who also works regional college games for ACC Network Extra and the SEC Network, brings prior experience to his role with LouCity having called the 2018 championship season.

“Broadcasting games for Louisville City FC is such a unique experience,” Ables said. “The supporters’ passion is second to none. When you match that with the franchise’s success, it makes for an exciting opportunity.”

Greer rose to prominence in recent years covering University of Louisville athletics for The Courier-Journal and The Athletic. He too has also voiced previous LouCity games.

“I’m not only thrilled to have sports and Louisville City FC back but also to return to the booth calling these games,” Greer said. “I have so much fun following the team, and I can’t wait to go to work at the fantastic new Lynn Family Stadium.”

LouCity-Pittsburgh is expected to air on News Radio 840 WHAS. Assignments are pending for the club’s 14 remaining games with AM 790 KRD and Talk Radio 1080 WKJK other options to carry broadcasts. Listeners can also tune in via the iHeartRadio app.

In addition to live game broadcasts, LouCity’s partnership with iHeart includes the popular Soccer City radio show, presented by Kentuckiana Toyota Dealers, airing each Saturday from 9-10 a.m. on 790 KRD.