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Louisville City FC travels for its shortest road game ever Saturday as LouCity takes on the University of Louisville in its final preseason match before next Saturday’s season opener. 

The match, dubbed the 502 Derby, will pit the ACC Champion Louisville Cardinals against the two-time USL Cup champions Louisville City. And the kickoff? 5:02 p.m. 

Louisville City coach John Hackworth and Louisville’s new coach John Michael Hayden previewed the match on Thursday. Both coaches talked about the importance of the game for their clubs. 

“For us, it’s our last chance to take the pitch before our season begins os it is vitally important for us,” Hackworth said. 

Hayden said, “It is important for all of us to grow the game here locally and playing this game is great for our team.”

While Louisville City is prepping for its season just a week away, the Cardinals are in their spring exhibition season. UofL’s official season is in the Fall.

Tickets for the 502 Derby at Lynn Stadium are $10 for reserved chairback seats and $5 for general admission/berm seating and are currently on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at GoCards.com, by calling 502-GO-CARDS or by visiting the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office, located near Gate 2 at Cardinal Stadium (2800 South Floyd Street) on weekdays from 9 a.m., until 5 p.m., ET.

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, representatives from Kroger and Louisville City FC presented a $5,000 check to Dare-to-Care as part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waste platform. 

Last season, Kroger agreed to donate $500 for a minimum of $5,000 over the season for each home game shutout. Kroger and Louisville City called the promotion “Zero Goals, Zero Hunger, Zero Waste.”

“This is so exciting to receive this $5,000 donation,” Annette Ball with Dare-to-Care Foodbank said. “Dare-to-Care is working all year long to feed the neediest people in our community. This money will directly benefit those in need, to put nutritious food on their tables for their families and to get nutritious produce to our neighbors in need. We are so thankful for this donation today.”

Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waster initiative was started to help correct a fundamental absurdity in the U.S. food system. Today, 40 percent of the food produced is thrown away, yet 1 in 8 Americans struggle with hunger. Redirecting even one-third of this food would help feed everyone in need. 

Kroger committed to continuing the Zero Goals, Zero Hunger, Zero Waste donation program for the 2019 season. 

“We always root for Louisville City, but it’s easy to root for more shutouts when we know the money is going to a great cause like ending hunger in our community,” Erin Grant, Kroger representative said. “Louisville City has been a great partner in this initiative with us.”

For each home shutout during the 2019 season, Kroger will donate $500 to Dare-to-Care. 

Louisville City coach John Hackworth spoke about his team’s 1-1 draw vs. Kentucky Sunday. Hackworth said his team’s play revealed they have a little more work to do before the season opens on March 9. 

LEXINGTON, KY — Louisville City had numerous chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net until the final few minutes of a 1-1 draw vs. the University of Kentucky Sunday in Lexington. 

Louisville City coach John Hackworth noted that the preseason is about learning, and his team learned a lesson Sunday. 

 “It’s a perfect game,” Hackworth explained. “Full credit to UK because it’s exactly what we wanted in terms of playing a team that’s organized and fighting. This means a lot to them. It presents us with a lot of problems both from a technical standpoint, but just from a mentality standpoint. We feel like we’re a team that’s tough and can deal with all these things, but really we’ve got a little bit of work to do.”

The chances came early and often for Louisville City. Brian Ownby and Luke Spencer seemed to be causing issues for Kentucky’s back line and City held possession for long stretches of the first half, but Kentucky converted its one chance into a goal by Cole Guidon. 

“Really strange, to be fair,” Hackworth said. “I thought we started really well for the first 35 minutes. I was pleased with every part of it, just didn’t execute. Hit the cross bar three times I think. Created numerous opportunities. Other than that, we got a little frustrated the last 10 minutes and gave up a really poor goal. “

City ended the first half with four corner kicks, two shots on goal, two more shots that hit the crossbar and another that hit a post. 

“The first 20 minutes of the second half, I thought, was not indicative of the way that group usually responds to adversity so really disappointed from that end,” Hackworth said.

LouCity’s starting 11 stayed in the game until around the 68th minute when wholesale substitution brought in a new crew of 10 players with Paco Craig staying on the field. 

The Boys in Purple finally found paydirt on a great team goal off a throw in. Paco Craig served a nifty pass to Sunny Jane for the equalizer in the 87th minute. 

“Happy for the guys that came on and played the last 20,” Hackworth said. “Kind of had to throw the kitchen sink at them to get back but credit to those guys. They got the equalizer and the result is the result. Not an overall performance that we can feel proud about. It’s something we have to change and learn from and go back to the drawing board and fix it.”

Louisville City will play its final preseason match of the season Saturday vs. the University of Louisville at Lynn Stadium. The match is dubbed the 502 Derby and will begin at 5:02 p.m. 

Louisville City FC got a pair of goals from veteran Luke Spencer and pushed ahead 4-2 in the second half to beat Memphis 901 FC in its final USL tune-up before the season. 

LouCity was in control of the match early as the back-to-back USL Cup Champions tested Memphis’ defense. One of those early tests led to Spencer’s first goal. 

Spencer was taken down in the box in a collision and was awarded a penalty kick midway through the first half. 

“It was great to have Luke get two goals today and I believe that is three for him so far,” Louisville City coach John Hackworth said. “His runs off the ball today were very good and we needed to find him even more than we did actually.”

Memphis got an equalizer on a shot from outside the box in the 32nd minute, but City answered within a minute as Niall McCabe assisted on Spencer’s second goal. 

“I was able to split the middle backs and Niall served it well,” Spencer said. 

Louisville City was ahead 2-1 at the half, but both teams made wholesale changes for the second half.

Now with all new lineups, Memphis got an equalizer midway through the second half, but Louisville City wasn’t done yet. 

Sunny Jane broke down a Memphis defender and delivered a beautiful pass to Lucky Mkosana for the game-winning goal, and City added an insurance goal a few minutes later to notch the final score. 

“I want to say that the group in the second half did a better job of executing our game plan, so that s great for all of them, but Napo getting on the board was big,” Hackworth said. “And Sunny’s pass on Lucky’s goal was great. We are a team and we root for each other’s success. We were all excited to see how the guys played in the second half.”

Louisville City returns home to train for the next few days before traveling to Lexington for a friendly exhibition with the University of Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Admission is free to all fans. 

LOUISVILLE, KY (FEBRUARY 18, 2019)­—Louisville FC announced today that Levy, the industry leader in sports and entertainment hospitality, will serve as the club’s partner in crafting the food and beverage experience at the new Louisville City Football Club Stadium.

Louisville City FC and Levy will work together to develop an approach to hospitality that reflects the incredible culinary legacy of Louisville, bringing the region’s local flavors and partnering with some of the region’s best chefs and artisans to create a true Louisville dining destination.

“When we looked at potential partners to develop a world-class food and beverage experience for Louisville City FC’s new stadium, we had a lot of great options. Levy’s experience in with top North American soccer clubs and their track record at local Louisville landmarks like Churchill Downs and the Kentucky International Convention Center really set them apart,” said Brad Estes, President of Louisville City FC. “We are looking forward to collaborating with Levy’s team of culinary experts to create menus that celebrate the best of our city’s local flavors and provide our fans with a unique experience.”

“We’ve been fortunate to be a part of the Louisville community for a long time, and we are constantly inspired by the region’s culinary scene,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy. “As Louisville City builds what will not only be the new home for the team and its fans, but a true concert and event destination that will be the epicenter of the Butchertown neighborhood, we will be hard at work bringing our passion for Louisville and our excitement for the future of this club to create an unforgettable experience for our guests.”

In addition to Louisville City FC, Levy serves as the hospitality partner to more than a half dozen North American soccer venues, as well as Louisville venues Churchill Downs, Kentucky International Convention Center, Kentucky Exposition Center, and Kentucky Horse Park.

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About Louisville FC

Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team. Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Despite a midseason coaching change, Louisville City won its second USL Cup, becoming the first back-to-back USL Cup winner in the USL modern era. Get the latest news on Louisville City FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s  channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.­­­

About Levy
The disruptor in defining the premium sports and entertainment dining experience, Levy is recognized as one of the fastest growing and most critically acclaimed hospitality companies. Named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine, Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants, iconic sports and entertainment venues, and convention centers as well as the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, PGA Championship, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and NHL, MLB, and NBA All-Star Games. For more, visit www.levyrestaurants.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

LOUISVILLE (February 12, 2019) – Louisville City FC is excited to announce Howie Lindsey as its new Director of Public Relations.

“The fact that we can bring someone into the front office with the character and reputation of Howie Lindsey speaks volumes about where Lou City is heading,” Louisville City President Brad Estes said. “We believe Howie is the perfect person to take us to the next level, and we could not be happier.”

As Director of Public Relations, Howie will coordinate Louisville City’s media relations, promote the Club’s remarkable success in its short history and provide a familiar public face for Louisville City’s club efforts to lead our community’s booming soccer culture. 

“The opportunity to join the building progress with Louisville City was too good to pass up for my family and me,” Howie said. “I can’t wait to help launch the new stadium in Butchertown and to help connect all parts of our community to this incredible club and to help LouCity tell the next chapter of its remarkable story.”

Currently the morning drive host on 790 KRD, the most powerful sports radio station in the state, and editor of CardinalSports.com, Howie will begin work immediately to help prepare Louisville City for the upcoming 2019 season.

“I am excited to announce a new direction,” Howie said. “In the next few weeks I’ll be transitioning off the airwaves at 790 KRD, but I want to be clear: I loved my time with the iHeart Radio team and my team at 790 KRD. Our station has a very bright future with the team Earl Jones and Company has assembled. I thank the thousands of you who made our morning show a success. 

“You’ll still find me tweeting and writing about the Cards on CardinalSports.com, and I hope Louisville and Kentucky fans will join me at Louisville City games this Spring and Summer as Coach Hackworth and the Boys in Purple take the field to defend their title – again.”

Howie has been working in Louisville media since 2003, covering the Louisville Cardinals for the Louisville SportsReport and CardinalSports.com. In addition to work in print and on the web, Howie also was a co-host on the long-running TV sports-weekly Red and Blue Review. He has been the host of Louisville 1st on 790 KRD since 2016. Howie and his wife, Stasia, have four children.

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LouCity’s 34-game slate begins on Saturday, March 9 with a trip to North Carolina FC, which will be one of all 34 games shown on WBKI-CW. Los Morados will open the home portion of their 17 games in Louisville on Saturday, March 23, also to be shown on WBKI-CW.

Fans interested in catching LouCity’s home debut and the remaining 16 games at Slugger Field can purchase 2019 Season Ticket Member packages by calling (502) LOU-CITY or online at louisvillecityfc.com/seasontickets

– LouisvilleCityFC.com | Follow Louisville City FC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram –

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About Louisville City FC
Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team. Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Despite a midseason coaching change, Louisville City won its second USL Cup, becoming the first back-to-back USL Cup winner in the USL Era.

Get the latest news on LouCity FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s  channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.­­­