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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – An appearance by Louisville City FC’s full roster of players, as well as discounted food and a special purple cocktail, highlight Tuesday’s official Copa America watch party at Tony Boombozz’s St. Matthews location, 3939 Shelbyville Road.

Every person through the door wearing United States or LouCity gear for the 8 p.m. showdown with Costa Rica will receive a free appetizer, while bartenders will be crafting the “Louisville City Crush” drink (see more below). Also, cocktails made with El Jimador and Old Forester cost $4; beer flights and pints $4; and tall servings of Kentucky-brewed craft beers $5.

Louisville City players will sign autographs and take pictures at halftime of the family friendly event, where team merchandise will be on sale and tickets given away for Saturday’s home match against the Wilmington Hammerheads.

Earlier Tuesday, players will also appear from 4-6 p.m. at ValuMarket in partnership with Spudz Chips for the Mid City Mall grocery’s block party. As ValuMarket grills food for attendees, 102.3 The Max will broadcast live from the Bardstown Road store. Fans can purchase LouCity merchandise and enter to win a 5-Match Pack of premium tickets.

First-place United Soccer League club Louisville City improved its record to 8-1-3 by way of a 4-3 victory Sunday night over Orlando City B. The United States, meanwhile, will during Tuesday’s match in Chicago look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Colombia in its Copa America opener.

Louisville City Crush

– 1.5 eljimador
– 1.5 razzmatazz
– 1.5 pineapple juice
– splash of Sierra Mist
– garnished with a wedge of lemon (squeeze into the drink)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A recent survey of 550 local young professionals — a majority of whom were born in Louisville — voiced heavy support for Louisville City FC.

Asked which of five Louisville sports they considered most interesting, 35 percent of respondents in the Young Professionals Association of Louisville survey said it’s LouCity, according to Louisville Business First.

Other choices were University of Louisville basketball (29 percent), the Louisville Bats (16 percent), U of L football (13 percent) and NBA teams playing in Louisville (8 percent).

YPAL president David Haney said, “Research suggests that by 2020, the young professional population, and more specifically, millennials, will comprise over half of the U.S. workforce. However, we rarely hear from this demographic about what they look for in a place to both live and work.”

Haney added that while some responses were surprising, “others confirmed what we may have already suspected.”

Average attendance through four Louisville City FC home matches — it’s the United Soccer League club’s second season — is up from 5,146 to 6,607 compared to this time last year.

First place in the USL’s Eastern Conference with an 8-1-3 record, LouCity returns home Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. meeting with the Wilmington Hammerheads (buy tickets here). Then, after a June 18 trip to play the Rochester Rhinos, coach James O’Connor’s team will play four straight at Louisville Slugger Field.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former Courier-Journal reporter Jonathan Lintner, a Louisville native who covered Louisville City FC from its start, has joined the United Soccer League club as its director of media relations.
Lintner, a Trinity High School and Western Kentucky University graduate, started Monday as Louisville City FC’s primary media contact. In addition to pro soccer, he covered the Kentucky Derby and a number of other sports at the Courier.

“Going back to early 2014, I wrote the first story about a team that would go on to be called Louisville City FC and in the process got to know the dedicated people making it happen,” Lintner said. “I’m thrilled now to join them and continue chronicling the club’s history. Along the way, I hope to introduce an exciting new part of the Louisville sports scene to the community.”

After in 2012 graduating from WKU, where he served as editor-in-chief of the school’s award-winning College Heights Herald, Lintner started at the Courier & Press in Evansville, Ind. A year later, he returned home to Louisville, not long before Louisville City FC formed.

Lintner will generate press releases, feature stories and multimedia for the club in addition to accommodating media covering Louisville City FC.

“Jonathan brings outstanding experience and knowledge of local sports media and has provided extensive coverage of Louisville City since the club’s launch in 2014,” said team president Amanda Duffy. “I am extremely excited to work with Jonathan moving forward as we expand our media coverage and relationships across the state and region.”

Louisville City FC Match Report

By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider

MELBOURNE, Fla.- Louisville City FC rallied from a goal down playing with ten men to secure all three points on the road against Orlando City B by a score of 3-4.

Coach James O’Connor’s squad started nicely and looked hot from the start, with striker Chandler Hoffman opening the scoring after a perfect cross from Kyle Smith. Despite the hot start, however, Orlando City B responded quickly with a Harrison Heath goal in the 29th minute.

Things looked even more dreary for LouCity in a matter of minutes, as midfielder George Davis IV was sent off with a second yellow card. The two teams went into their respective locker rooms deadlocked at 1-1.

OCB cranked it up at the start of the second half and took advantage of their one-man advantage. Orlando’s Hadji Berry received a cross from a teammate and and gave his team the go-ahead goal and OCB led 2-1. However, as they say, it’s always darkest before the dawn. O’Connor said the challenge of playing away from home with a man down was a tough one.

“It was a tough game. It was a big challenge for us to come to Orlando. That definitely increased when we went down to ten men,” O’Connor said.

In the 60th minute, Andrew Lubahn bravely dribbled into the Orlando box and passed to a charging Ben Newnam. The defender smashed the ball off the post, into the back of the net, equalizing the match. Many would have been content with a 2-2 draw with a man down, but as LouCity supporters know, this team has incredible ambition.

That ambition led to a go-ahead third goal, courtesy of a Lubahn header from a Paolo DelPiccolo cross. The goal further energized the ten-man LouCity and led to yet another goal against a shocked Orlando City B.

After an OCB foul, Aodhan Quinn, the reigning goal of the year winner, had another beautiful bender and scored off of the free kick.

LouCity sat back for the remainder of the half and played defensively. Despite a Michael Cox goal in stoppage time, O’Connor’s squad was able to hold on and win 3-4. O’Connor said he was happy with the grit his team showed in such difficult circumstances.

“I thought the guys showed tremendous fight and tremendous courage so I’m pleased with how we performed tonight,” O’Connor said. “Anthony (Pulis) is a very good young coach. He’s very organized. We were well aware of the challenge it was to come here. It was a big test and we performed well, so we can be happy.”

Louisville City will return to Slugger Field on June 11 to host Wilmington Hammerheads (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).

Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.

Match: Orlando City B vs. Louisville City FC

Date: June 5, 2016

Competition: United Soccer League

Venue: Titan Soccer Complex

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather:  80 degrees; clear

Scoring Summary: 1    2   FT

ORL                         1    2    4

LOU                         1    3    4

Key Defensive Stops and Saves

LOU: 50’ Greg Ranjitsingh: Ranjitsingh made a beautiful double save by tapping an incoming shot off the bar and then by stopping the rebound with his body.

Goal Scoring Rundown

LOU: 12’ Chandler Hoffman: Hoffman received a beautiful cross from Kyle Smith and sent it home to open the match’s scoring.

ORL: 29’ Harrison Heath: Heath charged in the box and took a Hadji Barry cross and put it past Greg Ranjitsingh for OCB’s first goal.

ORL 51’ Hadji Barry: Barry gave OCB the lead and made it 2-1, seemingly sealing the deal for the hosts.

LOU: 62’ Ben Newnam: Newnam made an unusal run into the box and sent one home after a pass from substitute Andrew Lubahn.

LOU: 64’ Andrew Lubahn: Just two minutes later, Lubahn scored one of his own. He headed home a Paolo DelPiccolo cross to give LouCity the lead again.

LOU: 68’ Aodhan Quinn: Quinn took advantage of the free kick and sealed the deal for LouCity with a beautiful bender past the OCB keeper.

ORL: 90+’ Michael Cox: Cox went on a run for a long ball through the air and got one back for the hosts.

Lineups

LOU: 13-Greg Ranjitsingh; 24-Kyle Smith, 15-Sean Reynolds, 6-Tarek Morad, 2-Ben Newnam; 4-Aodhan Quinn (c), 36-Paolo DelPiccolo, 12-Mark-Anthony Kaye (82’ 8-GuyAbend), 11-Niall McCabe (56’ 77-Andrew Lubahn), 22-George Davis IV; 17-Chandler Hoffman (53’ 9-Cameron Lancaster)

Subs not used: 1-Scott Goodwin, 14-Ilija Ilic, 20-Enrique Montano, 5-Conor Shanosky

ORL: 50-Mark Ridgers; 2-Tyler Turner, 16-Devron Garcia, 23-Conor Donovan, 45-Mikey Ambrose, 6-Richie Laryea, 8-Harrison Heath (70’ 51-Michael Cox), 24-Lewis Neal, 46-Tony Rocha, 48-Pierre DaSilva; 13-Hadji Berry

Subs not used: 70-Jake Fenlason, 42-Zach Hayden, 48-Kyle McFadden, 40-Johnny Mendoza, 47-Marius Obekop, 49-Andrew Ribiero,

Additional Notes

• Louisville City FC enters the game as the leaders of the USL’s Eastern Conference.
• LouCity defeated Orlando City B 4-1 on April 9 at Louisville Slugger Field.
• LouCity coach James O’Connor played for Orlando City SC, OCB’s parent club, from 2012-14. He also worked as a player coach with the club.
• Orlando City B coach Anthony Pulis is the son of English Premier League manager Tony Pulis.

Quote Sheet

James O’Connor on winning with ten men away from home: “It was a tough game. It was a big challenge for us to come to Orlando. That definitely increased when we went down to ten men.”

O’Connor on how his team played on Sunday night: “I thought the guys showed tremendous fight and tremendous courage so I’m pleased with how we performed tonight.”

O’Connor on coaching against Anthony Pulis:“Anthony (Pulis) is a very good young coach. He’s very organized. We were well aware of the challenge it was to come here. It was a big test and we performed well, so we can be happy.”

By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Louisville City FC will head to central Florida on Sunday to take on Orlando City B, carrying a nine-game USL unbeaten streak into the match. Here are few things to watch for as LouCity prepares for yet another road trip.

1. Staying Positive: After a Third Round exit from the U.S. Open Cup, LouCity will look to rebound and focus all its attention on league play from this point forward. Although the 2-1 loss to Indy was disappointing for Louisville City, it’s important the team stays positive and continues working hard. Sunday’s game will be a great opportunity for James O’Connor’s squad to rebound and continue their dominance of the USL’s Eastern Conference.
2. Do It Again: LouCity’s nine-game unbeaten streak in league play started with a 4-1 thrashing of Orlando City B, despite going down a goal early in the match. Chandler Hoffman, Kadeem Dacres, Andrew Lubahn and Ilija Ilic all got in the action, making for quite a fun night at Louisville Slugger Field. Another three points for LouCity against OCB would go a long way in the team’s ambition to win the Eastern Conference.
3. Keep an Eye on Cox: Michael Cox scored the lone goal for Orlando City B in the club’s first meeting with O’Connor’s squad by capitalizing on a change of possession in LouCity’s defensive half. Cox will look for any opportunity he has, so it’s important for Louisville City defenders to keep an eye on him as he looks towards goal.

Sunday’s match against OCB at will be streamed on YouTube. LouCity will return home to face the WIlmington Hammerheads on June 11. Supporters can purchase tickets here.

Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.

Louisville, KY – Mayor Greg Fischer, together with Metro Council President David Yates, Thorntons CEO Matt Thornton, Waterfront Development Corporation President David Karem, Louisville Orchestra Executive Director Andrew Kipe, Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams, and Chief Gregory Frederick of the Louisville Metro Fire Department announced plans today for the return of the Louisville Orchestra Waterfront 3 rd … fueled by Thorntons. The event is free and open to the public.

LOWF3rd will feature a full Louisville Orchestra concert on the Great Lawn conducted by Teddy Abrams, the Fifth Third Family Fun Zone, and food and fireworks over the Ohio River. The concert will include patriotic favorites, as well as a special guest performance by garage rockers Houndmouth, a nationally acclaimed act with local roots in New Albany, Indiana, and soulful singer Callie Day. Also featured will be two original scores by the #SingfortheCity contest winners. A fireworks display will top off the evening, accompanied by the Louisville Orchestra. The event will take place on Sunday July 3rd as the anchor for a busy weekend of activities in the Louisville Waterfront neighborhood.

“Thorntons is proud to call Louisville home, and is committed to supporting great, local events like the Independence Day celebration, held this year on July 3rd,” said Matt Thornton, CEO, Thorntons Inc. “We are honored to partner with the Louisville Orchestra, Waterfront Park and many other local businesses to bring our community together to celebrate.”

Mayor Greg Fischer thanked Matt Thornton for his leadership in making the event possible, “We have a wonderful corporate partner in Thorntons to thank for all of this. Matt Thornton stepped up and said, “Let’s have this event for the community, and let’s feature the Louisville Orchestra on our waterfront.”

“I want to also thank Matt Thornton for his leadership, and highlight the remarkable public-private partnership that this event exemplifies. Every council district is positively impacted by this event, and it brings us all together at the community gathering space, the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park,” said Metro Council President David Yates.

The family-friendly event will open at 5pm with a variety of activities produced by popular arts and cultural attractions in the Fifth Third Family Fun Zone. Families are encouraged to bring one recyclable item from home (example: a plastic water bottle), which will be transformed into a keepsake musical instrument. Children will later be invited to use their newly-made musical instruments to join in with the Louisville Orchestra creating a unique Fifth Third Landfill Orchestra experience. Other family activities will be provided by the Kentucky Science Center, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Friends of the Waterfront, WUOL’s Summer Listening Program, The Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana, and the Jug Band Jubilee, among others. These activities will occur from 5-8pm.

“One of the most powerful moments for me in my time at the Waterfront was the opening of the concert in 2015,” said David Karem. “Teddy Abrams led the Louisville Orchestra performance of the National Anthem, and it gave me chills. This is precisely the experience that our community deserves to enjoy at our Waterfront, and we are incredibly grateful to the more than 25 organizations that have followed Matt’s leadership by offering their financial and in-kind support to provide this great event for Louisville and the Commonwealth.”

Elsewhere in the Waterfront neighborhood, the Louisville Bats have a game at Slugger Field on July 3rd , and they are joining LOWF3rd as the sponsor of that evening’s fireworks show. Louisville City FC will sponsor fireworks after their game on Monday, July 4 th . The Belle of Louisville has cruises on both the 3rd and 4th, which offer the opportunity to enjoy both nights’ fireworks from the deck of the oldest operating Steamboat in the country. On Saturday, July 2, the Vintage Urban Flea Market will bring its Fleur de Flea back to the Festival Plaza, free and open to the public.

“This will be one of the busiest weekends of the year at Waterfront Park,” said Karem. “The Waterfront neighborhood will be alive with activity.”

“I am very excited to be able to bring a new element to this celebration,” said Teddy Abrams. “We had a wonderful amount of talent apply for the #SingForTheCity contest, and on July 3rd, the Louisville Orchestra will perform the original music of Carly Johnson and Justin Lewis. These two local musicians put their music to the test and succeeded! We are at this moment working with the professional arranger, Brad Ritchie, to orchestrate these two songs and the city will hear them for the first time on July 3rd .”

Visitors to the LOWF3rd will also enjoy ongoing live music on the main stage beginning at 5:00 p.m., upscale festival food by Festival Cuisine, the Leinenkugal Summer Shandy Beer Garden, and the Old Forester Red, White & Blue Bourbon Bar. The festival menu will include offerings to appeal to the discriminating foodie, including beef brisket, Kimchi tacos, bbq ribs, and vegetarian Greek salads, as well as traditional festival favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes.

At 8:30 p.m., the Louisville Orchestra will take the stage with patriotic favorites, classics and new works for Orchestra and a brand new musical finale to accompany the fireworks display at approximately 10pm.

Colonel Gregory W. Frederick, Louisville Division of Fire Chief touts LOWF3rd as a safe place to view fireworks. “Whether you are enjoying the fireworks from the Great Lawn to the sounds of the Orchestra on July 3rd after the Bats Game, or from Slugger Field on Monday, July 4th after the Louisville City FC Match, or even while cruising on the Belle of Louisville either night, the beauty of this offering is that the fireworks will be shot by the professionals.” Frederick added, “There are hundreds of annual emergency room visits nationwide due to fireworks injuries, including significant numbers of documented structural and property damage. This is a safe option for families to enjoy fireworks this Independence Day.”

Additional LOWF3rd amenities will include a modern photo booth sponsored by Thorntons and free ice cold Louisville Pure Tap water provided by the Louisville Water Company. Visitors can bring their own re-fillable container or purchase a B.P.A free refillable container from Louisville Water Step and receive free water. Bicycling to the event is encouraged and there will be ample bicycle parking. Visitors with mobility issues and an appropriate hang tag can be dropped off curbside at the dancing waters along Witherspoon Street.

By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Louisville City FC was eliminated from the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday via NASL-side Indy Eleven’s, 2-1, victory.

The first half looked promising for the visitors, as they created chances and got forward in impressive fashion. Chandler Hoffman opened the match’s scoring after splitting through the Indy defense and receiving a ball from George Davis IV. LouCity kept up the pressure throughout the first half and came close to scoring a second on several occasions, but ended the half with just a one goal lead.

Down a goal, Indy came out firing in the second half. It’s first goal didn’t take long, as Omar Gordon slotted home a bitter strike from the edge of the penalty box, equalizing the match. The eventual game-winner came just 10 minutes later, when Eamon Zayed got the go-ahead goal on a quick counter.

LouCity coach James O’Connor said he was disappointed to bow out in the third round against Indy.

“It’s disappointing to be knocked out of the cup competition because we wanted to go and have a good run in the competition,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor and his team will look to rebound on Sunday on the road yet again against Orlando City B (7:30 p.m. | WATCH) in USL play. LouCity carry a nine-game unbeaten streak with them to Orlando, which started against OCB at Louisville Slugger Field in April. Hoffman, who hit the crossbar in the second half, said it’s important he and his teammates brush off the cup disappointment and focus on league play.

“It’s another big game on the road (on Sunday),” Hoffman said. “Now, the attention shifts solely to the league. There’s no more Open Cup. So now we just have to focus on these next few games and pick up points.”

O’Connor echoed Hoffman, saying that he and his players will continue about their business after Wednesday’s defeat.

“We go back in the morning and we go through it. We deal with it and then we have a game Sunday.”

A return to USL play will see LouCity visit Orlando City B on June 5 before returning to Slugger Field on June 11 to host Wilmington Hammerheads (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).

Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.

Additional Notes

• Louisville City FC enters the Third Round after a Second Round penalty kick thriller against Detroit City FC.
• LouCity defeated Indy Eleven in the third round of the Open Cup last season, 2-0, in extra time.
• 2016 marks the second time in two years LouCity have won a game in the Open Cup.
• Louisville City currently leads the Eastern Conference of the United Soccer League.
• Louisville City FC Match Report

Match: Indy Eleven vs. Louisville City FC

Date: June 1, 2016

Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Venue: Michael A. Carroll Stadium

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather:  71 degrees; clear

Key Defensive Stops and Saves

LOU: 50’ – Greg Ranjitsingh: Ranjitsingh came off his line to make a diving catch after a curling cross made its way into the box.

Goal Scoring Rundown

LOU: 21’ – Chandler Hoffman: Hoffman received a pretty through ball from George Davis IV, dribbled it in the box and powered it past Indy goalkeeper Keith Cardona to give LouCity the early lead.

IND: 58’ – Omar Gordon: Gordon took a shot from about 18 yards out and it slid through to the back of the LouCity net to equalize the match.

IND: 68’ – Eamon Zayed: Zayed ran in and put home a goal as a result of an Indy fast break.

Lineups

LOU: 13-Greg Ranjitsingh; 24-Kyle Smith (74’ 20-Enrique Montano), 15-Sean Reynolds, 6-Tarek Morad (c), 2-Ben Newnam; 8-Guy Abend, 36-Paolo DelPiccolo, 77-Andrew Lubahn (69’ 7-Kadeem Dacres), 22-George Davis IV; 17-Chandler Hoffman, 9-Cameron Lancaster (65’ 14-Ilija Ilic)

Subs not used: 4-Aodhan Quinn, 1-Scott Goodwin, 18-Paco Craig, 31-Kenny Doublette

IND: 1-Keith Cardona; 23-Marco Franco, 16-Cory Miller, 82-Nemanja Vukovic, 2-Neil Shaffer; 15-Daniel Keller, 6-Dylan Mares, 7-Don Smart (46’ 9-Eamon Zayed), 14-Markhus Lacroix (77’ 33-Gorka Larrea), 91-Dwayne Gordon; 24-Jair Reinoso (41’ 20-Justin Braun)

Subs not used: 18-Jon Busch, 20-Justin Braun, 32-Colin Falvey

Quote Sheet

James O’Connor on his disappointment: “It’s disappointing to be knocked out of the cup competition because we wanted to go and have a good run in the competition,” O’Connor said.

Chandler Hoffman on rebounding from the loss against Orlando City B: “It’s another big game on the road. Now, the attention shifts solely to the league. There’s no more Open Cup. So now we just have to focus on these next few games and pick up points.”

O’Connor on staying focused despite the defeat: “We go back in the morning and we go through it. We deal with it and then we have a game Sunday.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville City FC will look to make some more noise in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday as head coach James O’Connor and his players travel to Indianapolis to take on the NASL-side Indy Eleven in a third round matchup. Here are a few things for LouCity supporters to watch for on Wednesday night.

Three Things to Watch

1. Repeat of 2015? LouCity came away with a 2-0 victory over Indy last season in a thriller that saw the USL side score two goals in the second period of extra time. O’Connor’s side looked to be the better team last season, and controlled the game for most of the time. Another 2-0 win would surely satisfy LouCity supporters, and would improve Louisville City’s all-time record against Indy Eleven to an undefeated 4-0-0 (including friendlies).
2. Who plays? In LouCity’s first 2016 Open Cup matchup against Detroit City FC, O’Connor selected many of his usual starters to play against the NPSL side. Through his selection, O’Connor made it clear that he is serious about the Open Cup and does not take it lightly. It will be interesting to see who plays for LouCity on Wednesday night in such a massive affair — especially since the U.S. Soccer sanctioned tournament only allows five international players per roster.
3. On the road again: Playing on the road has not yet been a problem for O’Connor’s squad so far this season, as the team is undefeated away from home. LouCity’s dedicated travelling fans should help support the players and keep them undefeated in their golden-laced kits.

Louisville City will head back on the road to face Indy Eleven on June 1 (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS) in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture. A return to USL play will see LouCity visit Orlando City B on June 5 before returning to Slugger Field on June 11 to host Wilmington Hammerheads (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).

Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.