Louisville City is in Kansas City prepping for its Monday night matchup with the Swope Park Rangers. Check out photos from Louisville City’s training session in Kansas City.
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Louisville City will compete in the inaugural USL Academy Cup
Pre-Professional Competition to Serve as Forerunner to USL Academy League
TAMPA (May 2, 2019) – Louisville City Football Club is among 33 United Soccer League clubs which will compete in the USL Academy Cup, a new event beginning this year featuring the country’s elite youth players from the U-13 and U-17 age groups.
The USL announced the 33 USL clubs today, building on the league’s vision for an Academy system and begins with the Academy Cup serving as a forerunner to the first-ever USL Academy League, built to provide a clear youth-to-pro path in each USL community.
“This year’s cup competition is the first big step toward building a league model for all of our academies,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “You can see from both the number and quality of teams participating that there’s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for what we’re looking to accomplish. We see this as an integral part of our organization, and the foundation of this league for years to come.”
“Part of our vision for Louisville City is to grow and develop the next generations of stars in our community, and we believe this is our next step in that process,” Louisville City coach John Hackworth said.
The cup competition will see academy teams from all three levels of the USL represented, with clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two all competing against one another. These events will be designed to better identify and accelerate the development of elite youth players with the potential to reach the professional ranks.
“As the USL continues to grow and have an impact on all levels of soccer in the US, we are honored to be a part of the first ever USL Academy Cup,” Louisville City Director of Youth Development Mario Sanchez said. “We are looking forward to working with all the local clubs to provide a developmental pathway to professional soccer for the kids in our region.”
The makeup of the competition will include 22 teams representing the USL Championship, with three League One clubs and eight League Two clubs rounding out a growing footprint that already reaches 21 states across the country.
“The USL Academy Cup is a testament to the great work being done by leaders in youth development across the country and shows a strong belief in supporting environments that will push our top youth players to grow and evolve,” said Liam O’Connell, USL Sr. Director of Youth Development. “We are incredibly proud to launch this competition this year and to see our clubs continue to take on an even bigger role in driving the growth of our game for many years to come.”
As a part of USL’s growth, the Academy Cup will lead into the Academy League, a player-focused, club-driven league designed to serve as the gold standard of youth development. Aligning with the USL’s vision, clubs will participate at the highest level of competition in their respective age ranges with a goal to improve club and coaching development as well as provide the optimal environment for player growth.
For information on conference alignment, competition structure, and the latest on the USL Academy initiatives, visit USL-Academy.com.
Louisville City drops Memphis 2-1 in Derby Festival Battle
Louisville City raced to a 2-1 win over Memphis 901 FC Tuesday night in the first-ever Kentucky Derby Festival Derby Kickoff Match Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
“Not exactly the way you’d draw it up,” Louisville City coach John Hackworth said. “Clearly we felt like we could’ve finished that game a little better, but a win at home – in front of a good crowd, mid-week, coming off ten days and continuing to build some momentum – happy and proud that the guys saw it out. There were parts that were really good and some things we’ve got to work on to get better. But a win is a win and that’s all we really wanted out of us.”
LouCity got a goal in the 33′ from Magnus Rasmussen when a Memphis 901 defender slipped in the box and Magnus buried a pass from Niall McCabe into the back of the net.
Rasmussen, who was named Visionworks Man of the Match in a vote by the fans during the match, scored his second goal of the season and appeared to give Memphis problems for most of the night.
Then in the 61′ LouCity pushed its lead to 2-0 when Abdou Thiam pushed ahead on a breakaway and laced a beautiful pass to Lucky Mkosana who finished the run effectively. The pair celebrated with a dance as teammates mobbed them in celebration.
Louisville City maintained control for most of the second half until an ill-timed back-pass to goalkeeper Ben Lundt led to a Memphis corner kick which later resulted in a scramble for a ball in front of LouCity’s goal in the 71′. That scramble ended with Abdou Thiam’s attempt to clear the ball finding the back of the net to give Memphis hope for a comeback.
But Louisville City prevailed in the final 25 minutes of play, controlling the action effectively and eliminating several Memphis chances.
Louisville City held 61.5 percent of possession, led 22-9 in total shots, 14-5 in shots inside the box and led 7-3 in corners taken.
“I just told them I loved the approach we had to this game,” Hackworth said. “The preparation and training – even the preparation away from the field, away from the locker room – I mean we have a group of guys in there that know how to be good pros. They take care of themselves in every way. We’ve got guys that are coming back from injury that are doing all the right things to put themselves in the position to be ready for selection. You saw that from Luke [Spencer] and George [Davis IV] tonight. Really glad to get those two back in particular. So I just think we need to build on the positives. We need to make sure we eliminate some of the mistakes we’re making out there. But again, I feel like we’re on a good stretch right now.”
The crowd broke Louisville City’s all-time record for a regular-season mid-week game with a total of 7,.816 fans.
The win gives LouCity three-straight decisions and two wins in a row. Louisville City will travel to Kansas City to take on the Swope Park Rangers next Monday night.
Game Day: Louisville City vs. Memphis 901
Tonight’s Broadcast Info:
Local Radio: Kevin Kernen and Jeff Greer on TalkRadio1080
Radio Stream: iHeartRadio app
Local TV: WMYO-TV, MyTV58
National TV: ESPN3
Your Louisville City FC Boys in Purple will kick off Derby Week right Tuesday night at Slugger Field vs. Memphis 901 FC.
Tuesday night’s match is a special one for coach John Hackworth as his son, Morgan, is a likely starter for Memphis 901.
“It isn’t tough for me at all – I want to win,” LouCity coach John Hackworth said. “But it is tough on my wife. She is conflicted right now – she loves her son and wants him to do well … but I told her that if she wasn’t wearing purple tonight she’s in trouble.”
Hackworth and LouCity played vs. Memphis 901 in a preseason friendly down in Nashville with LouCity taking that match 4-2. Since then, LouCity has had a string of injuries that has hampered their early-season progress.
Starters Luke Spencer, George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo and Brian Ownby have all been out with injuries along with key subs Tim Dobrowolski, Richard Ballard, Sunny Jane and Chris Hubbard. But Hackworth said Louisville City appears to be getting healthier in preparation for Tuesday night’s match.
“We should have Luke (Spencer) and George (Davis IV) back for Memphis so that will help us,” Hackworth said. “I have said it before, but you couldn’t make up this run of bad luck we’ve had if you tried. Having four forwards out and both backup goalkeepers out at the same time has been tough, but our guys have battled through it.”
Louisville City brought on a new goalkeeper last week, Brian Holt, a collegiate All-American from Creighton who played for Hackworth in Philadelphia.
As for Memphis, the 901 have struggled to start the season, but Hackworth said they are still dangerous.
“They haven’t had a good run of results recently, but they are No. 1 in our league at creating chances to score,” Hackworth said. “They are a dangerous team that is desperate for a win. It is a very important game for both teams.”
Pregame festivities are available at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Fest-A-Ville chow wagon at Waterfront Park before the March to the Match begins at 6:30. Tuesday night’s is nearing record ticket levels for a midweek game as the Derby fever includes a LouCity professional soccer match this year.
“People are amazed by the atmosphere and the environment around the game – it’s fun. Whether you are a soccer die-hard or a casual fan, I think you’ll have a great time at our games.”
Louisville City games are typically broadcast locally on WBKI-CW, but tonight’s match will be on WMYO/MyTV58. It is also ESPN’s USL Championship Game of the Week and will be available nationally on ESPN3. The radio broadcast will be on 1080 WKJK.
Louisville City adds goalkeeper Brian Holt
APRIL 29, 2019 – Louisville City Football Club announces the signing of goalkeeper Brian Holt.
“Brian is a player I have known for quite a long time. Given our current injuries, we needed to bring a player in that we know and trust,” Louisville City coach John Hackworth said. “We are looking forward to having him with the group and know he will integrate into our locker room seamlessly.”
Louisville City started the season with goalkeeper Chris Hubbard on the mend from injury and two weeks ago had backup keeper Tim Dobrowolski go down with a calf injury.
The 30-year-old keeper will wear No. 42 for Louisville City and will be immediately eligible to join Louisville City’s roster for its game vs. Memphis 901 FC Tuesday night. LouCity will host Memphis as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Kickoff of Derby Week.
“It is a great opportunity for me,” Holt said. “Having a chance to learn from coaches like Coach Hack and Danny (Cruz), two coaches I have known for a long time, is great for me. It’s obvious from the success this club has had already that I am walking into a great locker room, and I just can’t wait to come in and help out any way I can.”
Holt, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, played for Coach Hackworth in Philadelphia and comes to Louisville City from the Jacksonville Armada in the NPSL. Holt (5-9, 160, 11/14/1988) is in his ninth year as a pro, has played in the USL Championship, the NASL and the MLS, as well as appearances in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Holt played collegiate soccer with hometown Creighton University and is one of the most decorated players in Creighton history. He was a NSCAA First-Team All-American, a MAC Hermann Trophy Award Semifinalist, First-Team All-America from College Soccer, College Cup All-Tournament Team and MVC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011. Holt had an impressive 0.62 GAA for his career (top 20 in NCAA history) and set an NCAA record with 44 career shutouts.
LouCity’s match vs. Memphis 901 FC is the USL Championship Game of the Week and will be streamed nationally on ESPN3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Louisville City Roster Breakdown:
F (5): Richard Ballard, Sunny Jane, Lucky Mkosana, Luke Spencer, Abdou Thiam
M (9): George Davis IV, Geoff Dee, Paolo DelPiccolo, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Brian Ownby, Magnus Rasmussen, Devon “Speedy” Williams, Elijah Wynder*
D (7): Paco Craig, Shaun Francis, Oscar Jimenez, Pat McMahon, Taylor Peay, Alexis Souahy, Sean Totsch
GK (4): Tim Dobrowolski, Brian Holt, Chris Hubbard, Ben Lundt
*Indicates Amateur Academy player
Louisville City hosts Purple Mile during KDF miniMarathon
Louisville City is sponsoring the Purple Mile during Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Festival Mini-Marathon.
Our mile is between the 11th mile marker and the 12th, which spans between approximately OAK and Muhammad Ali as the runners run NORTH on 3rd Street.
We invite ALL Louisville City fans to come cheer on folks during the Mini-Marathon, especially our Coach John Hackworth and the LouCity crew who are running to raise money for Wyandotte Park (LINK: https://www.louisvillecityfc.com/news_article/show/1015091)
We will set up our Soccer City Radio show from 9-10am at 834 S. 3rd St. and we would love to have everyone come join us.
Photo Gallery: LouCity preps for Memphis 901
LouCity runners competing to Win for Wyandotte
LouCity FC staff and supporters have committed to run in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s miniMarathon on April 27, in support of the Louisville Parks Foundation’s planned turf soccer fields at Wyandotte Park.
“Louisville City FC is a tremendous partner. We couldn’t have gotten this far on this project without them,” said Brooke Pardue, Louisville Parks Foundation CEO. “When they said they are invested in the community, they mean it!”
The LouCity runners include Club President Brad Estes, Coach John Hackworth and Community Relations Director Mario Sanchez, in addition to other park and soccer enthusiasts, all of whom are competing to be declared the “Winner for Wyandotte.”
In 2018, the Louisville Parks Foundation (LPF) and LouCity FC committed to raising funds to install a total of five artificial turf soccer fields in three South Louisville parks. These will mark the first set of turf fields in Louisville’s public parks system.
Since June 2018, a 5-a-side field at Beechmont Community Center and a larger (125’ x 225’) field in William Harrison Park have been completed. Wyandotte Park is scheduled to receive three (3) 5-a-side soccer fields that will be open to the public in Fall 2019.
“When we were kicking around ideas on how to raise funds for the soccer field project, we figured a little competition between staff would be fun,” said Mario Sanchez, LouCity FC Director of Youth Development and Community Outreach. “We are already hosting soccer clinics at the two new fields and I see people from all over the city coming out to play soccer. This is what it’s all about. Having fields that are accessible to the public and encourage fun and exercise.”
People can choose the staffer they would like to support online at, https://www.lpfky.org/donate-lou-city-challenge.
About the Louisville Parks Foundation:
The Louisville Parks Foundation (LPF)’s mission is to inspire donors to invest in our 120+ public parks and recreational facilities – for present and future generations. LPF was formed as a non-profit in December 2005 to support parks and community programs not funded by other local non-profits. In 2013, the Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular opened and the producers of the show partnered with the Louisville Parks Foundation, which became the recipient of the proceeds. Since then, the Foundation has completed major projects in California, Lannan, and Russell Lee parks, installed a 5-a-side turf soccer field at Beechmont, an 8-a-side turf soccer field at William Harrison, and built the first “Skate Spot” in the Midwest at Breslin Park. The Foundation is currently raising funds for its final phase of additional turf soccer fields in South Louisville at Wyandotte Park. For more information, visit www.lpfky.org.
Man of the Match: Lucky Mkosana
Louisville City forward Lucky Mkosana was named Dr. Mark Lynn and Associates Visionworks Man of the Match after a vote by fans during Saturday night’s match.
Mkosana scored the game-winning goal in the 60′ on a clever bit of ball movement by Oscar Jimenez and Niall McCabe, who got the assist.
But it wasn’t just his goal that sent Mkosana into the top spot on this week’s poll. The Zimbabwean speedster also had a tremendous defensive play, heading away a potential goal earlier in the match.
Lucky's goal lifts LouCity past Ottawa Fury, 1-0
A 60′ goal by Lucky Mkosana was all Louisville City needed to beat Ottawa Fury FC Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field. LouCity recorded its second clean sheet of the season, in its 1-0 win.
Mkosana’s goal came off a nifty set of passes, first from Oscar Jimenez to Niall McCabe and then from McCabe to Mkosana who sent the ball into the back of the net on one touch.
“The goal was a good ball from Niall [McCabe],” Mkosana said. “He served me one and he played a really good ball already. Credit to him and Oscar [Jimenez] seeing that run from Niall and him seeing me drop back. It came out as a very good pass from him.”
Saturday night’s win gives Louisville City three more points to add to the seven they have from the first six matches, and puts City back into the win column for the first time since March 23.
Earlier this week, Louisville City coach John Hackworth told reporters he believed his team turned a corner with a late goal down in Tampa Bay vs. the Rowdies. That goal salvaged a point in the 88th minute. Now, Louisville City have four points in the last two games.
Hackworth was asked Saturday night if his team had turned the corner, “Yeah absolutely they did. When you make a statement like that it’s awfully nice when your players go out and back you up. I felt that way after last Saturday,” he said. “We had a really good week of preparation. I think it showed in our performance tonight. I’m really proud of the players.”
Mkosana, voted the Dr. Mark Lynn and Associates Man of the Match by the fans, won the award for his goal, but also on a nifty defensive play he made earlier in the match. Mkosana headed away an Ottawa shot on goal, saving the 0-0 tie at that point in the match.
Scoring Summary:
60′ LouCity – Lucky Mkosana (Niall McCabe assist)
