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Come and meet new Louisville City FC head coach John Hackworth at the Falls City Taproom on Liberty St. in Louisville on Tuesday, August 14th!

All fans who make a $50 merchandise purchase will score two game tickets to City’s August 18th matchup vs. Nashville SC at Slugger Field! Doors open to the public at 6:00 PM with the event starting at 6:15 PM. However, fans are encouraged to arrive and be served in the Falls City Beer Garden prior to doors open with Hometown Pizza available on the night!

Plus, stick around after the meet-and-greet for a joint Barrel Proof Podcast interview with John Hackworth. Hosted by Tom Farmer of The Coopers and Evan Floyd, host of the “In the House” podcast with Scouse’s House, the pair will take questions from the audience as part of the first fan interview with the new boss!

WHO: John Hackworth
WHAT: Meet and Greet
WHEN: Tuesday, August 14th from 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Falls City Taproom, 901 E Liberty St, Louisville, KY 40204

Louisville City FC drew 2-2 with their neighbors to the north, Indy Eleven, in front of nearly 8,500 people inside a heated Slugger Field.

City’s goals came from Ilija Ilic and George Davis IV, whose fourth goal (on his birthday) also marked his 50th all-time in USL play, becoming the first player in club history to reach that mark. 

The draw leaves them fourth in the Eastern Conference table, just behind the Charleston Battery and with two games in hand on leaders FC Cincinnati.

What Happened?
A packed Louisville Slugger Field saw fans come out strong despite nearly 90-degree heat and humidity.

LouCity’s start gave the fans the show they wanted with Ilija Ilic drawing a penalty in the fifth minute of the match. Stepping up to take, midfielder Brian Ownby powered an effort to the right of Indy ‘keeper Owain Fon Williams, only for the Welshman to prove equal to the effort producing an impressive save.

Instead, Indy would take the lead in the form of a Jack McInerney goal after 16 minutes. Not to be deterred, City would only need one minute to find its equalizer from Ilija Ilic. As midfielder Magnus Rasmussen danced towards the endline, he squared a pass for Ilic to open his foot on and plant in the back of the net.

However, Indy got right back on the front foot and found its second goal—again from McInerney—after 21 minutes. Chasing down a through pass, defenders Sean Totsch, and Paco Craig could not get to McInerney in time as he poked one past Ranjitsingh. 

At the break, City trailed 1-2.

Starting the second half with gusto, City’s persistence in attack paid off when the birthday boy George Davis IV fired home a pass from Ilic—who turned from scorer to provider—to help push City back level.

Though the host side continued to try and break Indy down, they would not find another goal but kept the visitors at bay in earning another valuable point at home.

Louisville City FC will face a quick turnaround with a trip to New York to face Red Bulls II on the cards next Friday, August 10. City welcomes Nashville SC to Slugger Field for their next outing at home on Saturday, August 18, with tickets available for as low as $16 at www.loucity.com.

The Key Points:

• City forward Brian Ownby stepped up to the spot in the 5th minute after Ilija Ilic drew the foul, only to see his attempt saved
• Indy forward Jack McInerney opened the scoring in the 16th minute off a blitz at Louisville’s goalmouth
• City responded quickly thanks to a goal from Ilija Ilic, assisted by Magnus Rasmussen
• Heavy pressure on City’s defense by McInerney resulted in Indy’s second of the evening as the forward poked an effort by Greg Ranjitsingh
• Midfielder George Davis IV fired home an effort from close range for his 50th USL goal and City’s second of the evening
• Penalty saved by Ranjitsingh in the 75th minute on Eugene Starikov to keep the match level

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

Louisville City FC 2 : 2 Indy Eleven
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Slugger Field | Louisville, KY
90 degrees / sunny
Attendance: 8,437

Scoring Summary:
IND – Jack McInerney 16’
LOU – Ilija Ilic (Magnus Rasmussen) 17’
IND – Jack McInerney 21’
LOU – George Davis IV (Ilija Ilic) 60’

Disciplinary Summary:
IND – Karl Ouimette 41’
LOU – Oscar Jimenez 44’
IND – Eugene Starikov 74’
LOU – Brian Ownby 90+1’

Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Paco Craig, Kyle Smith; Paolo DelPiccolo; George Davis IV, Devon “Speedy” Williams, Brian Ownby, Magnus Rasmussen (Niall McCabe 77’); Ilija Ilic (Cameron Lancaster 68’)

Bench: Chris Hubbard, Tim Dobrowolski, Shaun Francis, Pat McMahon, Luke Spencer

New LouCity boss John Hackworth spoke with Scott Stewart & www.loucity.com after his appointment was announced on Thursday morning… See below for the full interview:

John, welcome to Louisville City Football Club…

“Thanks, Scott. I’m excited and honored to be here.”

How do you feel?

“I feel humbled, but I also think it’s a wonderful opportunity. I think I’m joining a club that, in a short amount of time, has had a huge amount of success. The people that I’ve met I feel are like-minded and have the same aspirations, which is to continue the success on and off the field that LouCity has already built in the community. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

We’re all obviously very excited to have you here, but you’ll spend the next two weeks in your current role with the U-17 Men’s National Team. What will this time be like with LouCity in the back of your brain?

“Yeah, I’m going to be double-dipping, for sure. I’m going to be doing as much work as I can to be prepared when I do arrive at the club. I’ll be anxious during that time, but I still have a responsibility to the U.S. U-17 National Team and we have some tough games so I’ll try to make sure that I stay focused on both tasks.”

As you looked at this position, what attracted you to LouCity?

“The club and the community are the two things that were really impressive. I think a club is built on the foundation of the people that are there and what has happened so far. Honestly, I immediately connected to the ownership group and to Brad. Watching from afar, I had the opportunity to watch the team several times. I met with Luke Spencer and really felt like it was the perfect opportunity with a club that is well-established but has loftier goals. That meets exactly what I was looking for.”

Let’s talk about the supporters—how much are you looking forward to your new home and coaching for those fans?

“That’s one of the first things I want to do. I want to make sure I connect with the fanbase and build relationships so they understand what drives me and what I’m going to try to do with the current team and the club going forward. I want to build relationships at every level because that is what a club really is about. It’s a community and we’re all very passionate about winning and we want to continue that history that you guys have already established there.”

You’ve coached at every level in this country but the USL is raising its standards both in terms of talent on the field and organizationally off the field. Do you feel you’ll need to adapt to USL play or the way this team plays?

“I mean I’ve coached at every level in this country and have been fortunate in that regard. I really, in watching over the last several weeks, have been so impressed with the team and especially with the fact that they haven’t had a technical staff around them. That’s a credit to James O’Connor and what he has built there, and the players themselves. The coaches that have been there had done such a wonderful job of staying in a collective. That is a culture that I’m excited to join.”

What similar challenges do you think you’ll face in this position compared to Philadelphia or your time with U.S. Soccer?

“Well look, I’m jumping into the middle of the season. I’m joining a team that has lofty aspirations but one that is doing well right now. The first thing I’m going to try to establish with the players is their understanding of what I expect and to try to build the trust that I think has to be established from the get-go.”

How would you assess the squad you are inheriting?

“I look at the upcoming schedule and it’s a little daunting, but I think because the roster is built in such a way that it’s going to be a push to finish the season off strong and hopefully make a deep run in the playoffs. My goal was clear in speaking with everyone at the club is to do everything we can to win another trophy.”

Can you tell us what style of play we can expect to see?

“I want fans to want to come and watch us play. In watching the team right now, they are a good team and play a good style of soccer already, so I’m going to try and go in and add little bits and pieces to things I think we can do better. But, [the team] is clearly in a good way right now so there’s not a ton to change and I want to be careful about not disturbing what that team is already doing.”

Will you be bringing any of your backroom staff?

“That’s an ongoing process right now and it’s one that I’m currently and have already started working on. I’m excited to bring some new people in, but at the same time, that’s not done right now. First things first is to try and build this in all the right ways and connect with the people there.”

With the success of this club to this point and the opportunity we have in hand, what would you say you are hoping to achieve with LouCity, short-term and long-term?

“Look, I think it’s very simple. I think the club wants to win, I want to win, and it’s been a culture of success on and off the field and that’s something I need to make sure I go in and lead right from the start. If I can, there are lofty expectations there already but I need to raise that bar if you will and set the tone in the right way. My expectation is that the team, the Club, and the fanbase support each other and stay collective in our goals and aspirations and really try to chase another USL Championship.”

And finally, they will be just as excited to have you in town as you will to be here. What is your message to City supporters everywhere?

“I just want to guarantee the supporters that I’m going to come in there and do the job to the best of my abilities. I’m going to work extremely hard and will use all of the experience and knowledge I’ve gained over my career and try to integrate myself in that community and in the club. I know I’m part of something very special going forward.”

Brilliant. Once more, John, welcome to Louisville City Football Club.

“Thank you, Scott. I appreciate it!”

Louisville City FC Appoints John Hackworth as Head Coach

Louisville City Football Club is thrilled to announce John Hackworth has been appointed the club’s second-ever head coach.

The 48-year-old coach signed a contract through 2022 and will be made available via phone conference with the media on Thursday afternoon.

Before then, Hackworth spoke with www.loucity.com and was delighted for the chance to take charge of the growing club:
“I am honored and humbled but mostly just excited to join Louisville City FC. It is an opportunity to join one of the most prominent clubs in this country and work with a fantastic group of people who are like-minded in their approach to achieving success in every area we can.”

“I would like to thank John Neace, Tim Mulloy, Mike Mountjoy, Brad Estes, and the whole of the LouCity ownership group for the trust and faith they are offering me to lead this team in the future. What the Club has achieved to this point is remarkable and I will look to build on the winning mentality and culture that has already been established.”

Announcing the appointment, LouCity chairman John Neace said:
“We are delighted to announce John as our new coach. He has built an impressive coaching career to this point and we are excited by his obsession with winning and developing players. He embodies the commitment we all have for the Club and we look forward to the impact of his work as we fulfill our shared ambitions in the years to come.”

LouCity president Brad Estes said:
“Hack comes in with an impressive amount of experience and success throughout his career and has helped develop and shape the abilities of some of our country’s most exciting prospects. Those that know him have applauded his coaching acumen but his character is what we are most excited about as we take Louisville City FC forward.”

Hackworth had been in charge of the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team since 2015 and has served as an assistant to the U.S. Men’s National Team since the beginning of this year. An experienced coach at the national level, Hackworth began with U.S. Soccer in 2002 when he first served as an assistant to then-U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Ellinger. Hackworth would go on to succeed Ellinger and lead the U-17’s to finishes in the quarterfinals of the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup and Round of 16 in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Following his time in charge of the U-17’s, Hackworth also served as the inaugural Technical Director of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Outside of his time with U.S. Soccer, Hackworth’s experience extends to both the collegiate and professional levels of the game. He began as an assistant coach for the Wake Forest University women’s and men’s teams in 1993 and 1994. Hackworth was then named the head coach at the University of South Florida in 1998, where he led the Bulls to two NCAA Tournament Appearances. 

In Major League Soccer, Hackworth spent five years with the Philadelphia Union, serving as the club’s Youth Development Coordinator from 2009-12, and head coach from 2012-14 before returning to take charge of the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team.

Hackworth will rejoin the U-17’s in Costa Rica and will join up with the “Boys in Purple” on Monday, August 13.

Visit www.loucity.com for more on Hackworth in the coming days.

Looking for a way to help out with Back to School night?

Bring in any of the five items listed below and receive a coupon for one (1) FREE large one topping pizza from Hometown Pizza!

Want even more? Bring in all 15 items for the Hometown Pizza coupon plus receive four (4) FREE supporter zone tickets to a LouCity home game!
                   **Not valid vs. FC Cincinnati (9/8)

• Crayons
• Colored pencils
• Washable markers
• No. 2 pencils
• Ballpoint pens
• Pencil sharpener
• Erasers
• Glue sticks
• Ruler
• Blunt-tipped scissors
• Plastic folders
• Wide-ruled notebook or pad
• Index cards
• Tissues
• Lunchbox

LouCity fans can drop off their donations at the customer service tables by the East and West gates starting Sunday at 3:30 p.m.!

All collected materials will be donated to the YMCA Safe Place Services shelter and Louisville Urban League.

Following a two-assist performance in LouCity’s 0-3 win over Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, defender Oscar Jimenez has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 20!

Continuing his trend of being one of the team’s top providers, Jimenez notched assists on City’s first two goals and completed nearly three-fourths of attempted passes in the opponents’ third. 

Meanwhile, Charleston Battery midfielder Nico Rittmeyer has been voted the USL Player of the Week for Week 20 of the 2018 season. Rittmeyer scored his first two professional goals to lead the Battery to a 3-0 victory against longtime rival the Richmond Kickers this past Saturday night as Charleston took its fourth consecutive victory and moved into second place in the Eastern Conference. 

Rittmeyer received 55 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL market. Bethlehem Steel FC’s Brenden Aaronson finished second with 18 percent.

USL Team of the Week

GK – Owain Fôn Williams, Indy Eleven: Fôn Williams recorded a four-save shutout on Thursday as Indy scored a late 1-0 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC at Goodman Stadium.

D – Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City FC: Jimenez notched a pair of assists to help lead Louisville to a convincing 3-0 victory on the road against Ottawa Fury FC. 

D – Cyprian Hedrick, San Antonio FC: Hedrick won 21 of 25 duels and recorded 18 clearances as San Antonio took victories against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and OKC Energy FC.

D – Ramon Martin Del Campo, Fresno FC: Del Campo won 16 of 20 duels and recorded 21 clearances as the Foxes earned road draws against both OKC Energy FC and Tulsa Roughnecks FC.

M – Matthew Srbely, Toronto FC II: Srbely scored once, recorded a pair of key passes and won a penalty kick as Toronto won its first game of the season, defeating Nashville SC on Saturday night. 

M – Nico Rittmeyer, Charleston Battery: Rittmeyer’s first two professional goals set the Battery on the way to a 3-0 victory against longtime rival the Richmond Kickers at MUSC Health Stadium.

M – Brenden Aaronson, Bethlehem Steel FC: The 17-year-old Aaronson recorded his first goal and assist in the pro ranks as Steel FC swept to a 4-1 victory against ATL UTD 2 on Sunday evening.

M – Charlie Ward, San Antonio FC: Ward completed 65 of 65 passes and provided the assist on Ever Guzman’s late winner as SAFC defeated OKC Energy FC for the first time in its history.

M – Wal Fall, Saint Louis FC: Fall scored the game-tying goal from the penalty spot and then recorded the assist on Sam Fink’s stoppage-time winner as Saint Louis defeated Reno on the road.

F – Foster Langsdorf, Portland Timbers 2: Langsdorf scored a pair of goals to lead T2 to a 4-3 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday afternoon at StubHub Center.

F – Stefano Bonomo, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Bonomo scored a pair of goals as the Rowdies played to a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.

Bench: Michael Nelson (RGV), Wuilito Fernandes (NC), Pedro Ribeiro (FRS), Antonee Burke-Gilroy (SEA), Sebastian Velasquez (SLC), Jeremy Ebobisse (POR), Faris (BST)