The popularity of soccer has grown by leaps and bounds in the US over the past several years, and Louisville has been no exception. We are fortunate to not only have a local club to support and see play, but one that has been wildly successful. Despite the rapid growth of the sport and club in the community, many people have yet to experience the excitement of a match. Soccer has not quite hit the same level of popularity as football and basketball. Some may have attended a match or two but don’t have the full picture. They don’t know the league, the club’s history, or what players to watch on the pitch. This guide was written to be a beginner’s guide on Louisville City and to help you become a more knowledgeable fan.
The League
To begin, we will cover the league and setup around Louisville City. The team plays in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship. It is in the second division of the US soccer pyramid. Unlike the differences between the MLB and AAA minor league affiliates, teams in the second division are not dedicated feeder teams for a bigger club (like the Bats are for the Reds) aside from a few MLS reserve teams (such as Atlanta United 2 and NY Red Bulls 2). Teams in the USL are independently operated. The MLS sits in the first division of the US soccer pyramid and has no affiliation with the USL outside of the previously mentioned reserve teams they field within the league. Don’t confuse the USL Championships Division 2 status for being “minor league”. These are professional teams fielding professional athletes. Louisville City’s own Jonathan Gomez recently saw the pitch in the most recent US Men’s National Team match!
The History
Now, let’s dive into a brief history of the club. The club was founded by the late owner Wayne Estopinal in 2015 after acquiring the franchise rights from Orlando City, who moved their club out of the USL into the MLS. James O’Connor was hired to serve as the first coach and was the primary architect of the inaugural team. LouCity originally played their matches at Louisville Slugger Field. In 2015, the team ended the season 2nd in the Eastern Conference led by MVP and league-leading scorer, Matt Fondy. LouCity made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in their very first season. Every season since, the club has made it to the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF). An unprecedented streak of success that is still ongoing as of this writing. Similar to the previous season, 2016 was another successful campaign, but it ended in a heartbreaking shootout. In 2017, the boys in purple got revenge for the previous season’s shoot-out, beating the same team to advance to and later win the finals. 2018 saw the departure of Coach O’Connor and the arrival of John Hackworth midseason, but that did not prevent the team from winning their second straight championship. That season, striker Cameron Lancaster set a new league goal-scoring record. The team also made a deep run in the US Open Cup, a yearly tournament between all levels of the US soccer pyramid, that ended in the quarterfinals. Morados (“purple” in Spanish, a common nickname for LouCity) made it back to the USL finals in 2019 but fell short of a three-peat. COVID obviously derailed plans for the 2020 season, however, an abbreviated version did happen with City making it back to the ECF. This was the first season that the team began to play in their new soccer-specific home, Lynn Family Stadium. The first match in the stadium was in July. Like the preceding season, the team made it to the ECF but fell short to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The latest season, 2021, was somewhat a return to normalcy. Louisville City continued their winning ways. However, John Hackworth suddenly left the club early in the season, seeing Coach Danny Cruz take to the helm. He guided the team deep into the playoffs but lost in the ECF in a dramatic fashion.
Over the years, the club has continued to grow in popularity and has seen steady attendance increases (~10,000+ per match), and regularly brings in some of the most fans in the league. While the club is still fairly young, it has been successful on and off the pitch since day one. To experience the biggest crowd and most passionate atmosphere, be sure to check out a rivalry match. Due to geographical proximity, Indianapolis’ Indy Eleven have become the team’s fiercest rivals. This matchup has earned the comical name, the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest (LIPAFC) poking fun at other location-based rivalry match names.
The Players
The Louisville City roster is full of talent. The Irishman, Niall McCabe, has been with the club since day one. He is a fierce competitor on the pitch and isn’t afraid to voice his displeasure at the referees. The captain, Paolo DelPiccolo, is a UofL grad and a critical component of the team’s midfield. Cameron Lancaster is the squad’s prolific goal scorer who has set both club and league records. Brian Ownby is the bearded speedy winger whose playmaking ability has been key to the club’s success in recent years. And there is Sean Totsch who has been one of the league’s top defenders over the past few seasons. Be sure to keep an eye on both Elijah and Josh Wynder! These two local players are in the early stages of their careers and products of the ever-important youth academy.
The Supporters
Soccer supporters are a different breed and help to create a special atmosphere at the matches. Even someone who doesn’t appreciate the sport will have a good time at a match because of the unique and exciting environment. Members of the various supporter’s groups are big factors in creating the buzz in the air. The most well-known group are the Louisville Coopers, whose inception predates the founding of the club. They occupy “Estopinal End” and stay standing, waving flags, and singing for the full 90-minute matches. On special occasions, the Coopers unveil a giant tifo before a match. On the other end of the stadium is Scouse’s House, who brings a different vibe but shares the same level of passion. There are also the LouCity Ladies, who are extremely charity-oriented, and the Louisville Ledgehogs. They all help make matches a memorable experience. Do not hesitate to join any that speaks to you! You do not have to stand in their section or sing all match to support what they bring to the table. Your support will assist them in their respective missions.
Online Communities
Speaking of supporters, there are many places online where you can learn more about the team and engage in discussions with your fellow fans. Twitter is an incredibly vibrant place for discourse on LouCity. Also, be sure to join the Louisville City FC Fans Facebook page. That is an especially excellent resource if you are looking for tickets. Reddit is also a great space for shared content and colorful conversations. If you are into podcasts, there is a plethora available including State Of Louisville’s Vamos Morados Podcast, the Coopers Barrel Proof Soccer, Hot Brown Soccertown, Souses House In The House Podcast, and the Center Forward Podcast. Let’s not forget the club produced Soccer City Radio, which can be consumed either as a podcast or live on ESPN680. The State Of Louisville is also home to work on both Louisville City as well as Racing Louisville FC. And finally, a shameless plug for my website, VamosMorados.com, where you can find all the latest news, match previews/recaps, and much more!
Hopefully, you found this educational and gave you a few leads to look into on various components on the club, league, players, and supporters. Even if you are skeptical or unfamiliar with soccer, give it a chance and attend a match. Tickets are very affordable and it’s a good excuse to enjoy the spring/summer/fall weather and have a few beers and bourbons while trying something new. If you have any questions or just want to talk LouCity soccer, you can find me on Twitter @PurpleSDF. I fell in love with the team when I moved to town and I want to help others discover it as well. Hope to see a bunch of new faces at the matches!
Beautiful Introduction..One day I will be coaching this team…Is my dream..