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Louisville City FC

What to Watch for When LouCity Hosts Indy Eleven on CBS

April 5, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


Louisville City FC reacts following a goal
Louisville City FC reacts following a goal
(Louisville City FC, Credit: EM Dash Photography)

It's possible that more people will tune into Louisville City FC's game Saturday than any other in USL Championship history, and they could witness something special given the way the boys in purple have started their season.

LouCity hosts rival Indy Eleven for a 4 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium with broadcast coverage on CBS, marking the league's first-ever network televised game.

Temperatures will hit the mid-50s, and no rain is in the forecast. League officials, along with both clubs, are pushing for fans to pack the stadium for a proper national showcase.

Viewers will see a feisty regional rivalry, of course, along with a LouCity team that can aspire to just about anything this season.

City is 3-0, a win away from matching the club's best start back in 2018, the last time the boys in purple won a USL Championship title. Their nine goals rank best in the league, and one conceded is the Championship's lowest number. Despite playing a game fewer than much of the competition, LouCity leads the Eastern Conference standings.

A network TV opportunity came about after the United Soccer League signed a multi-year rights agreement with CBS this past offseason. LouCity will aspire to find itself back on this same stage later in the year with the USL Championship Final also set to air on CBS.

Follow along

- The game will air live on CBS and ESPN Louisville's AM 680/FM 105.7.

- For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @loucityfc on Twitter. Also find the club at louisvillecityfc on Instagram and Louisville City FC on Facebook.

Player availability report

Sam Gleadle (out)

Brian Ownby (out)

Story lines...

In the spotlight: Saturday is a network TV first for LouCity and the USL Championship but not for Lynn Family Stadium. The venue, which opened in 2020, appeared on CBS previously for the 2021 NWSL Championship game and again in June of 2023 when the NWSL's Racing Louisville FC hosted NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Blowout win: LouCity enters its Indy matchup off a 5-0 victory last weekend over Birmingham Legion FC. That represented the club's most goals scored and largest margin of victory since a 6-0 win on July 9, 2022, over New York Red Bulls II. City has now scored five or more goals in a regular season game 13 times in its history.

Indy's form: LouCity looks like Saturday's favorite with Indy Eleven off to a 1-2-1 start. Last out, Indy let an early lead slip away in a 2-1 home loss to Detroit City FC. The Eleven are newly under the direction of manager Sean McAuley and feature Tyler Gibson, a midfielder who played for City from 2021-2023.

If it ain't broke: Coach Danny Cruz has opted for the same starting 11 for each of LouCity's first three games. A season after City lost a club-high 12 games, that lineup included six newcomers: goalkeeper Damian Las, defender Arturo Ordóñez, wingbacks Jake Morris and Jansen Wilson, midfielder Taylor Davila and forward Adrien Perez.

Harris on a heater: With four goals in three games, Wilson Harris both leads the USL Championship in scoring and is in uncharted waters for a LouCity player to open a season. He scored in both halves of last weekend's game, continuing to look the part of a top striker after City's all-time leading scorer, Cameron Lancaster, departed the club in the offseason.

Ownby's absence: Star forward Brian Ownby suffered a long-term injury in the club's preseason finale, opening an opportunity for Ray Serrano to earn more minutes. Serrano is playing his best ball in a purple jersey to date as a result, scoring in back-to-back games. Two weeks ago against Pittsburgh, he also earned a penalty.

Double the Davilas: Davila netted his first LouCity goal as part of the Birmingham rout, and another special moment arrived minutes later when his younger brother Evan Davila subbed on. The duo shared a pitch for the first time as professionals with Evan signing his first pro deal out of a successful preseason trial.

Las is winning: Las, on loan to LouCity from Major League Soccer's Austin FC, has looked the part of a 21-year-old future star. His two shutouts are tied for the league lead, and his 12 saves are fifth-most among keepers. Las arrived to Louisville after he was named MLS NEXT Pro's 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year.

Youth served: LouCity's taking advantage of a new USL Championship rule for 2024 allowing players under age 17 to make the team sheet without taking a pro teammate's spot. Defender Hayden Stamps, a 16-year-old from Kentucky Country Day School, made his USL Championship debut as a 90th-minute sub in the Birmingham win after also making the bench in the home opener against Pittsburgh.

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Images from this story

Louisville City FC reacts following a goal
Louisville City FC reacts following a goal
(EM Dash Photography)		   

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