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Ticket options aplenty for LouCity's season opener
Saturday will mark 160 days between Louisville City FC’s last 2016 United Soccer League playoff game and the 2017 season opener — way too long, at least if you’re asking us.
Welcome the boys in purple back when they host Saint Louis FC at 2 p.m. — and, as our board pushes to build a stadium of our own, let’s show Louisville we’re serious about pro soccer by packing Slugger Field!
A variety of ticket options are designed to meet your preference. Season passes start at just $180 (a rate of $11.25 per game) and include an exclusive season ticket holder scarf along with a number of other benefits.
For all ticket purchases, buy before game day to save money, and avoid fees by emailing tickets@louisvillecityfc.com or calling (502) 384-8799 during regular business hours.
Also on sale for the opener:
• Single game tickets start at $15 in advance. It’s cheaper to buy before game day.
• Know a college student looking for the best deal in town? Season tickets for them are just $50!
• Flex Packs, starting at $70, allow buyers to choose which five games they’ll attend as they go — no need to decide up front.
We hope to see you Saturday at Slugger Field. Go City!
LouCity takes confidence from draw with Indy Eleven
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Standing outside the locker room Saturday at the University of Evansville’s Arad McCutchan Stadium, Louisville City FC midfielder George Davis IV confirmed that “we’re ready to go.”
A 1-1 final scoreline didn’t tell the full story of LouCity’s final preseason test, a full 90-minutes against North American Soccer League opponent Indy Eleven. The boys in purple controlled possession and led most of the second half before a highlight strike by Nemanja Vukovic knotted the score in stoppage time.
“I thought our performance was really good tonight,” said LouCity assistant coach Daniel Byrd, speaking with head coach James O’Connor under the weather. “I thought we controlled the majority of the game — created multiple chances — but we have to take our chances. When we have as much possession as we did, we have to score more than one goal.
“Credit to Indy. They ended up pulling out a fantastic goal at the end. But we should have put the game away earlier.”
VIDEOS | More reaction to Saturday’s game
LouCity built on a win over NCAA Division II Young Harris College and a tight defeat to Division I Lipscomb ahead of its United Soccer League opener. The boys in purple kick off their 2017 regular season March 25 against rival Saint Louis FC at Slugger Field.
They’ll carry in some confidence after Saturday’s outing. Most of the game was spent in the Indy Eleven’s half of the field. Though official statistics weren’t recorded, LouCity out-shot its opposition with a flurry of opportunities leading to its goal.
Rookie Richard Ballard, the Indiana University product and Louisville native, earned a penalty by maneuvering into before tripped on the left side. Forward Cameron Lancaster struck a goal past Indy’s keeper that pushed LouCity out front in the 52nd minute.
“I thought we played well,” Davis IV said. “There’s still things we can be better at — taking our chances, and be a little bit better at managing the game there toward the end. Overall, I felt good out there. I know the boys were real positive in the locker room.”
The Eleven played from behind through the 90th minute, until Vukovic recovered a loose ball on the left side and blasted a shot into the upper corner of the net.
The goal offset a big day by LouCity’s attack, which included headers on goal by midfielder Brian Ownby and Lancaster, as well as a Lancaster free kick in the 37th minute that needed a touch from the keeper to go off the crossbar.
Now it’s on to the games that count.
“When you dominate a game as we feel we did and not get a result, it’s kind of tough to take,” Davis IV said. “Now going into training this week, we know how good we are, but we have to fine tune, make sure we’re taking our chances and put the game away.”
Game Summary
Match: Louisville City FC vs. Indy Eleven
Date: March 18, 2017
Venue: Arad McCutchan Stadium
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy, 50 degrees
Scoring
Louisville City FC (0, 1, 1)
Indy Eleven (0, 1, 1)
Videos: Byrd, Davis IV react after Indy Eleven game
Slideshow: Photos from LouCity-Indy Eleven
Kaye called up to Canada's U-23 squad for overseas competition
Louisville City FC midfielder and Toronto native Mark-Anthony Kaye has earned another call up to represent his home nation on the international level, Canada Soccer announced Saturday morning.
Kaye will compete for Canada this month in the Aspire U-23 Tournament, a three-team competition designed to develop and transition younger players on their path to Men’s National Team.
“It’s always nice to get called up to a national team camp,” Kaye said. “I’m pleased with the selection, and hopefully I can go there and perform well again. I think these camps mean a lot. I’ve got to go in there with the right mentality and mindset.”
Other participating countries in the Aspire U-23 Tournament are Uzbekistan and host nation Qatar. Canada will face Uzbekistan on March 25 and Qatar on March 28 before Kaye returns to LouCity’s squad.
Kaye, who totaled 1 goal and 3 assists last season for LouCity, also played with Canada’s U-23 team in 2016, appearing in two games during the Caribbean Cup.
“We are delighted for Mark-Anthony, as it’s such a prestigious honor to represent your country,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “He has worked hard in the offseason, and this is a nice reward for that work.”
Kaye came up through Major League Soccer side Toronto FC’s youth academy and made his United Soccer League debut in 2014 while on loan to Wilmington Hammerheads FC. He spent 2015 with Toronto FC II before signing with LouCity which, with Kaye often positioned on the wing, posted a second-place USL finish and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.
LouCity is training now for its March 25 season opener against Saint Louis FC. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Slugger Field.
Kaye anticipates coming back a stronger player.
“It definitely does help you improve, because you’re playing with the top players from your age group,” the 22-year-old said. “They’ll bring a lot of experiences from different places — MLS, abroad in Europe — so it’s a different environment. The international level definitely gives you can extra push when you come back to your domestic league.”
CANADA U-23 ROSTER
1- GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
2- FB- Kadin Chung | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
3- CB- Amer Didic | USA / Swope Park Rangers
4- CB- Marko Aleksic | CAN / FC Edmonton
5- CB- Kosovar Sadiki | ENG / Stoke City U-23
6- M- Jordan Schweitzer | USA / Orlando City B
7- M- Manuel Aparicio | ESP / SD Ordes
8- M- Juan Córdova | CHI / CD Unión San Felipe
9- F- Jordan Hamilton | CAN / Toronto FC
10- F- Michael Petrasso | ENG / Queens Park Rangers
11- F- Keven Aleman | CRC / CD Saprissa
12- M- Caniggia Elva | GER / Stuttgart II
13- CM- Louis Béland-Goyette | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
14- M- Patryk Misik | ESP / SD Ordes
15- M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
16- M- Kwame Awuah | CAN / New York City FC
17- F- Mark Gonzalez | USA / Swope Park Rangers
18- GK- Marco Carducci | Unattached
LouCity set for final preseason test against Indy Eleven
With just more than a week to go before Louisville City FC’s season opener, coach James O’Connor says he’s about 75 percent sure which players he’d field in an opening day starting lineup. Saturday’s final preseason test will go a long way in terms of making up the rest of O’Connor’s mind.
LouCity will make the two-hour bus trip West to meet the Indy Eleven, out of the North American Soccer League, at the University of Evansville’s Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. local, with admission $5 at the gate.
“Part of our process is making sure the last game going into the season is a real test and great challenge. We know they’ll do that,” O’Connor said of Indy. “…It’s a game we’re looking forward to, and we’re appreciative of Evansville for giving us the platform to play there as well.
“It’ll be another market for us to go and show our brand to some supporters there who will come over and have the weekend in Louisville and see a game.”
FULL VIDEO | O’Connor previews Saturday’s game
LouCity has so far topped NCAA Division II Young Harris College by a 3-1 score and fallen 1-0 to Division I Lipscomb. With a scheduled game against the University of Kentucky canceled this week, O’Connor put his players through an extra instrasquad scrimmage as well.
The boys in purple have been in training for more than a month now leading up to a March 25 United Soccer League opener against Saint Louis FC at Slugger Field. In games, with a 20-player squad, O’Connor has subbed heavily at the half. The intrasquad scrimmages offered the chance for everyone to go a full 90 minutes.
“I think attacking-wise, we’ve shown some exciting things,” O’Connor said. “I think defensively, we’re still trying to figure out a couple of things in regard to position. I think, generally, for the new guys it’s quite a lot to take on board. Some have grasped it quicker than others.”
The Indy Eleven are a common foe for LouCity. The clubs have also played in the preseason the last two years and went on to meet in the U.S. Open Cup as well. Coached by Tim Hankinson, the Eleven started play in 2014 and posted their best finish last year, advancing to the NASL Final.
Both LouCity and the Indy Eleven will set up at Arad McCutchan Stadium with merchandise and tickets for their upcoming seasons. More than 1,000 attended on a chilly weeknight last year when the University of Evansville welcomed Saint Louis FC and Indy.
“It’s always great to have a professional game take place in our city,” said head UE men’s soccer coach Marshall Ray. “Last year, we were fortunate enough to host the first professional match in the history of Evansville, and we’re happy that Indy Eleven has agreed to come back again this year. With Louisville City, we’re going to be bringing in one of the best teams in the USL too. I’m looking forward to giving our fan base and the greater Evansville soccer community a chance to see a match at a higher level.”
LouCity announces 2017 Youth Partners
Louisville City FC has partnered with 14 area youth soccer clubs for the 2017 season, striving to uphold its reputation as a vibrant, active member of our community.
LouCity’s Youth Partners are offered a plethora of incentives and unprecedented, up-close access to Kentucky’s only professional club.
“We are excited heading into 2017 to be returning many of our Youth Partners from last year and also adding a few new ones,” said Zach Darst, a LouCity account executive in ticket sales who manages the partnerships. “Louisville has a great Youth Soccer culture, and Louisville City FC is proud to be a part of that community. This program is special because it allows the young soccer players in this community to be part of the game day experience, while also seeing firsthand what it takes as an athlete to make it to the professional level.
“As this program continues to grow in the future, our hope is that our relationships with local soccer organizations will grow as well.”
We’re proud to align with the following organizations:
Atletico Flames Futbol Club (AFFC) was formed in 2003 as Flames Soccer Club, the competitive branch of Elizabethtown Youth Soccer Association (EYSA). Now after only 12 years we field more than 18 teams with paid coaches having previous high school, college and/or international playing experience as well as current or previous high school and/or college coaching experience.
Falls City Soccer Club is devoted to the development of youth soccer players, assisting them in realizing their potential. We endeavor to utilize a competitive soccer environment to challenge children to become their best, not only as individual players, but also as a component of a larger team environment.
Georgetown FC is Georgetown and Scott County’s youth soccer league. Our goals are to teach this Beautiful Game to the youth of our community by focusing on development of the player, growth of the squad, building the club, and enjoying the game through character and skill development with a Warrior Mentality. It takes a Village to raise a warrior and we facilitate that atmosphere for our families.
We know your child is unique. That’s why KCD offers a variety of paths to your child’s success and character development in a caring, attentive environment.
The Kentucky Fire Juniors is an extension of Mockingbird Valley Sports Complex that strives to be the leader of youth development at the grassroots level. The Kentucky Fire seeks to provide players at every level the opportunity to develop to their highest skill level by offering a positive environment with the best professional coaching and facilities available.
Louisville Soccer is a non-profit organization that fosters a love for the sport of soccer and develops athletes of all ages by facilitating physical and mental growth and bringing each player to their peak individual potential in a team atmosphere. Louisville Soccer’s diverse and highly qualified coaching staff welcomes players of all races, cultures, and economic backgrounds to one of Louisville’s most dedicated athletic clubs.
Louisville South FC is a non-profit organization that promotes the knowledge, appreciation, and playing of futsal/soccer through training and positive coaching to help players fully achieve their desired potential. We develop the ideals of good sportsmanship, individual physical health, and outstanding character on and off the field.
At MVSC, we strive to develop players within appropriate age training environment with the goal of achieving their full potential. Most importantly, MVSC is a place where children of all ages can come and enjoy themselves while developing the sport-specific skills necessary to take their game to the next level.
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy – Kentucky is proud to be one of the Louisville area’s premier clubs for player development. Through our unique, yet simple philosophy of Player-Club-Team, we bring a different perspective of player development to our members. We are happy to partner with Louisville City FC this season!
We provide an opportunity for boys and girls, aged 6-18, to experience and love the most popular sport in the world. We have top quality coaching staff who all share the vision and passion for soccer.Our philosophy is to educate our players on and off the field, and to give them the best possible soccer experience as they can receive.
Soccer Shots Louisville is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development.
Southern Indiana United Soccer Club is dedicated to providing boys and girls ages 4-19 a high-quality, fun and safe soccer experience that encourages sportsmanship and a love of the game through the development of players, coaches, referees and teams. SIU is excited to be linked with Louisville’s only professional soccer team and look forward to the benefits that this partnership provides for our players, coaches and families. We encourage all of our families to come out to the games and support our hometown team
Our mission: To empower youth with an in-depth education in the sport of soccer. To build confidence. To aid in the personal development of each player, and each team. To educate players to the best of our ability by providing quality coaching in a positive environment that promotes good sportsmanship, integrity and self- discipline.
The YMCA of Greater Louisville is excited to partner with Louisville City FC to advance our focus of youth development, said Steve Tarver, President and CEO. The Y focuses on nurturing the potential of every child and this partnership provides a great opportunity to expand our efforts.
Video: O'Connor previews Saturday's Indy Eleven game
LouCity hires Denbow as director of sales and marketing
Louisville City FC has hired local native Pat Denbow as its first director of sales and marketing, tapping him to lead the club’s efforts in the corporate arena.
Denbow, who graduated from St. Xavier High School before playing basketball and earning a political science degree from Ohio’s Wittenberg University, returns to Louisville after eight years with the Golf Channel. Most recently, he served as regional director of sales at GolfNow, the leading provider of online tee times, golf course technology and service solutions.
“On a personal level, I wanted to get back to Louisville with my wife and young son as we start to grow our family,” Denbow said. “Professionally, I love the idea of getting behind Louisville City FC, which has tremendous momentum. It’s an opportunity to stay in the sports world and handle the business side of it.”
Denbow, 32, managed a team of outside salespeople at GolfNow, which operates in more than 6,000 courses around the world. He brings to LouCity the structure of a large company owned by Comcast and part of the NBC Sports Group.
Denbow will work alongside Campbell Brewer, the club’s director of corporate partnerships, to align LouCity with businesses during its upcoming third season.
“We’re excited to add Pat as director of sales and marketing,” said LouCity’s chairman, John Neace. “He has a wealth of experience in the sports industry, and he’ll be a tremendous resource for us as we move forward on our stadium project and build long-term sponsor relationships.”
LouCity’s 2017 season United Soccer League season opens March 25 with a 2 p.m. kickoff against Saint Louis FC at Slugger Field. All 32 of the club’s games will be broadcast on local TV both over the air and in high definition. LouCity also entered into partnership this year with iHeartMedia for radio coverage.
Contact Denbow by email at pdenbow@LouisvilleCityFC.com or over the phone by calling (502) 384-8799, extension 104.
