club background
Louisville City Football Club was founded in the summer of 2014. They played his first USL game in 2015 at the Triple-A baseball stadium Louisville Slugger Field. In this stadium, Lou City won back-to-back USL Cups in 2017 and 2018, making him one of the most decorated clubs in the USL, along with several other powerhouses in the USL Playoffs. James O'Connor was the club's first captain and is credited with much of the club's early success in the USL. O'Connor left the club in 2018 to take the vacant MLS head coaching position at Orlando City SC. Mr. O'Connor has since returned as president of the ownership group, Soccer Holdings LLC. In 2020, under COVID-19 restrictions, Lou City opened a grand stadium dedicated to soccer, Lin Family Stadium. The stadium, which can hold more than 15,000 people, was sold to capacity for the first time the following summer once restrictions were lifted. Current head coach Danny Cruz has been selected to take over Lou City on an interim basis in 2021. Cruz found early success, leading Lou City to an Eastern Conference championship in 2022. In 2023, Lou City finished the regular season in 5th place in the USL Eastern Conference, but after reaching the Eastern Conference playoff finals, they lost 1-2 to the Charleston Battery on the road. A notable club talisman for Lou City is Cameleon Lancaster, who leads the USL Championship Division in career goals with 88 goals across all competitions.
atmosphere
Lin Family Stadium is the best stadium in the USL and rivals some stadiums in MLS for game day atmosphere. Linn Family Stadium is located just off the banks of the Ohio River and several major highways, making it an easily accessible venue. The game day atmosphere also includes tailgating in multiple parking lots surrounding the stadium. Fans can enter 90 minutes before kickoff to check out the BlueOval SK Fan Zone, which features family-friendly activities such as inflatables, lawn games, and mini-pitch soccer. Happy hour special $2 beers are available until 30 minutes before kickoff. Inside the stadium, fans can expect a raucous atmosphere led by the Coopers supporters group. Fans looking for a premium experience can purchase tickets in the stylish club section. LED lights adorn the stadium's lighting, showering spectators in the club's infamous purple and white. Fans can also line up in the area outside the main concourse where players enter and exit their respective locker rooms.
great to have @locityfc Fans are back at Lin Family Stadium 💜 pic.twitter.com/4nsdrNju52
— Lynn Family Stadium (@lynnfmlystadium) March 23, 2024
— Sarah Rectenwald Francis (@Sarah_R_Francis) March 24, 2024
New third kit under the lights 🤩
We'll do it again Saturday night when Tampa Bay hosts its big regular season finale! pic.twitter.com/UlElCcGCHd
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) October 9, 2023
Summary of the match
Louisville City FC entered the match with an away win against El Paso Locomotive in Round 1. Lou City faced off against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a host USL Eastern Conference match. In the end, Loo City secured three points with a resounding 3-1 victory and moved to the top of the USL Eastern Conference standings.
The game started with Lou City taking the lead. In the 6th minute, Ray Serrano took a shot from outside the box, but Riverhounds keeper Eric Dick forced a diving save. In the 10th minute, Dick was found in no man's land, but he was able to kick a Wilson Harris shot from inside the box.
Both clubs settled into the game for the remainder of the first half. But in the 40th minute, Pittsburgh almost took the lead. A run from the right wing brought the ball back into the box and Babacar Dieng had a clean shot on goal, but Loo City's veteran centre-back Sean Tocci made an excellent goal-line block.
The breakthrough in scoring came in first-half stoppage time. Five minutes into stoppage time, Serrano's through ball was fortunately deflected and landed at Harris' feet. Harris' shot beat Dick and the crowd roared. Lou City entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
2 goals in 2 games 👀@nosliwharris 🔥 The season has begun! pic.twitter.com/eRRrkPtSAg
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) March 23, 2024
Lou City will have to absorb some pressure early in the second half. A clean header inside the box was a harbinger of things to come. In the 59th minute, Edward Kiza was free in the box after a sloppy turnover by Lou City in the defensive third. It was an easy end, with the Riverhounds tying the game at one goal each.
However, the even scoreline did not last long. In the 64th minute, Serrano brought down a defender and earned a penalty kick. Tocci walked up to the spot and buried his attempt.
With frequent rotation of players from both clubs, it looked like the score of the match would be the final result. But after Serrano's great game, he added his name to the scoresheet. Six minutes into stoppage time, Evan Davila delivered a cross into the box. The ball eventually found Serrano, who faked and forced Dick to the ground before firing a left-footed shot into the back of the goal.
Amazing player in added time @rayserrano80 🤩 pic.twitter.com/VVGewV2Ktv
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) March 23, 2024
The final whistle sounded and Louisville City secured an impressive victory in their home opener.
the goal:
LOU- 45+5' Harris, 65' (P) Tocci, 90+6' Serrano
PIT-59' Kiza
Next match:
USL Regular Season – vs. Birmingham Legion – Saturday, March 30th – 4pm ET – ESPN+