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USL Louisville City FC

It's a Friendly Loss, But LouCity Aims to Win Over New Fans vs. Atlante FC

July 15, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


International Show at Lynn Family Stadium
International Show at Lynn Family Stadium
(Louisville City FC, Credit: EM Dash Photography)

Latin music boomed from the concourse while authentic Hispanic food was served en masse Saturday as Louisville City FC and Atlante FC put on a uniquely international show at Lynn Family Stadium.

The visitors - one of the top clubs from Mexico's second division - scored on either side of the half to deal LouCity a 2-1 defeat. But as with City's other international friendly played last month against German side FC Kaiserslautern, there were bigger-picture goals at play.

A good number of the 8,176 on hand Saturday were first-time visitors to Lynn Family Stadium, with many donning the traditional green of Mexico's national team or representing other well-known clubs.

"I saw a ton of different jerseys, which was awesome," said LouCity coach Danny Cruz. "There were some new fans tonight. My hope is they were entertained, they enjoyed the football - the style of play and intensity - and we get to see them next Saturday here at home.

"I think there's a lot of value in games like this for the entire community. I certainly felt like tonight was another good evening from a game standpoint and an atmosphere standpoint."

In terms of quality play, no one delivered a better touch on the ball than Cameron Lancaster. The veteran LouCity striker pulled back a late goal for his side when pulling from some 40 yards away. The knuckling shot rocked the post and bounced in, sending Lynn Family Stadium into a frenzy.

That bit of class wasn't enough to overcome an earlier deficit, however, as City continued what Cruz called a "common trend in the final third."

"We needed to be sharper," the coach added.

Atlante visited in the late stages of its 2023-2024 preseason. Last weekend, the club knocked off Mexican power Club America, and that form carried over with a go-ahead goal into first half stoppage time when Rolando Gonzalez played a free kick through a crowded penalty area. Armando Escobar got a touch to it for the opener.

Atlante double its lead in the 70th minute after LouCity goalkeeper Danny Faundez had a pass intercepted at the back. Edgar Jimenez delivered to Daniel Lajud at the face of goal on a night when Faundez was otherwise solid between the posts.

"I remember being little, watching when they were in the first division, watching them on TV," said LouCity's Carlos Moguel Jr. of facing Atlante. "...It was great. Just being around that is a dream come true, personally."

LouCity rotated all but one starter - Moguel Jr. - from its midweek USL Championship contest, seeing star winger Brian Ownby return to the lineup on limited minutes. LouCity Academy standout Issac Cano also made Cruz's 11, marking his first team debut.

Similar to against FC Kaiserslautern, LouCity rotated in more players from its youth ranks late in the going - a move to save pros for a busy stretch of season ahead and provide the type of experience only playing under the lights can.

"This is my dream," said Cano, a graduate of Lexington's Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. "This is what I was looking forward to my whole entire life, so to finally get it, my mindset was to go out there and take the opportunity presented in front of me."

After this weekend break from USL Championship action, LouCity returns to league play Wednesday at Detroit City FC. The boys in purple then cap the busiest part of their season - five games in 15 days - back at Lynn Family Stadium next Saturday against Birmingham Legion FC.

Game Summary: Louisville City FC vs. Atlante FC

Date: July 15, 2023

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Weather: 85 degrees, mostly clear

Attendance: 8,176

Scoring

Louisville City FC (0, 1, 1)

Atlante FC (1, 1, 2)

Goals

Louisville City FC:

85' Cameron Lancaster (Amadou Dia)

Atlante FC:

45'+1 Armando Escobar (Rolando Gonzalez)

70' Daniel Lajud (Edgar Jimenez)

Check out the Louisville City FC Statistics




Images from this story

International Show at Lynn Family Stadium
International Show at Lynn Family Stadium
(EM Dash Photography)		   

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 15, 2023


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