How a youth soccer star made history for Louisville City FC.
On May 15th, 2019, a substitution was made in the dying minutes of the Louisville City FC 2nd round US Open Cup match against Reading United. Elijah Wynder, only two months after his 16th birthday, made his first professional soccer appearance. “It was nerve-wracking for me back then,” Wynder, a Louisville native, reminisced. This was not only the start of a promising local player’s professional career but also one of the first major milestones for Louisville City’s academy program.
Wynder was the first player to join the academy, and he had done so only months prior. “It was probably the scariest thing I ever did at that time,” when asked about his first time training with the Louisville City FC squad. “I’d never experienced a training session like that.” Elijah recalled Luke Spencer (now a member of the academy coaching staff) giving him a hard time and pushing him during his early training days and George Davis IV (now the Director of the LouCity & Racing Foundation) taking a softer approach to working with the youngster. “This locker room is very unique. There’s a core group of older guys that have like been around for a long time. They’ll always help you. I had no problem going up to them and asking them questions.” Wynder specifically cited former University of Louisville player, Paolo DelPiccolo, as an influential mentor. “From the beginning, he took me under his wing and helped me out. On the field. Off the field. Mentally. More things than just soccer.”
“Growing up, I always watched the University of Louisville play and that was like my goal was to play college. Play for Louisville.” What Elijah didn’t know was the opportunity that presented itself with the relatively new professional soccer club in town. It was Mario Sanchez, a former UofL soccer staff member, and current LouCity academy director, who first contacted Elijah about beginning a career in soccer. Sanchez had long believed that Elijah had pro potential and simply needed the platform to showcase his abilities. “I had known Elijah since he was a kid and he always had the mentality, ability, and confidence to succeed. He just needed the opportunity. Prior to LouCity and the creation of the academy, it was very difficult to get the proper exposure for players like Elijah. Once we started integrating Elijah into the first team environment with the help of Danny (Cruz) and (John) Hackworth, you could see that he could do it! I truly believe he was the spark for the other boys in the academy and in the community to believe that they could also do it! It’s amazing to see that through his belief and perseverance, he has created a reality for kids to believe that they also have a chance to succeed!”
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A month after his first appearance in the Open Cup, Elijah signed a USL Academy contract allowing him to play in the United Soccer League while maintaining his high school and collegiate eligibility. He later chose to forgo that eligibility and committed to a full professional contract in December 2020. Wynder continued to train with the team and saw his first minutes in USL regular season play in a 2-0 win over Loudoun United in August 2020.
2021 was poised to be a big season for Wynder before an injury occurred in the preseason. A bone in his right ankle completely snapped, and a tendon tore. It required surgery that February and a second one that November. “Mentally, in the beginning, it was very tough. I had never been injured and been out more than a week,” Wynder said of his season-ending knock. It was a long road to recovery for LouCity’s academy pioneer.
While still working to return to his previous level, Wynder was loaned out to League One’s FC Tucson (a division below LouCity’s USL Championship) where he would have a better opportunity of earning competitive minutes. “We felt it was a great step for him coming off the injury that he had,” Coach Danny Cruz said at the time. This was a unique opportunity for the young academy product, as it was his first time living away from home. “It was a whole new thing for me. I’d never been away from home and lived somewhere else before. It was a little daunting thinking about it beforehand.” Elijah quickly gelled with his new teammates and made 12 appearances for FC Tucson before being recalled back to Louisville in July. Elijah gradually earned more and more minutes in the lead-up to Louisville City’s playoff run. “I was physically feeling the best I’ve ever felt. I think it was a good thing for me mentally to just get out there and play. I was playing the best I think I’ve played in a while since my injury,” he commented on his return. He scored his first goal for the club in September against Sacramento, but his next goal would be by far his most memorable. “There was a lot going through my head,” Elijah said regarding his extra-time, game-winning goal in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. “There were so many people in the way when I kicked the ball. I didn’t even know it went in until I saw my brother just sprinting at me and I was like, oh, I gotta think of a celebration.” He would go on to win the USL’s Comeback Player of the Year for 2022.
Elijah has already left an unforgettable mark with the club. He was the club’s first academy signing. He is a trailblazer who worked his way from local club ball onto a (competitive) professional roster. His emergence within the club helped other young players like Carlos Moguel and his brother, Josh Wynder, realize the opportunity they had to begin a professional playing career in their hometown. When asked what advice he would give to other aspiring players, he said, “You always have to believe in yourself. If you have a dream, don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can’t do. It’s up to you to get to where you want to be.” There will be a number of local kids who will go on to take to the pitch for Louisville City at Lynn Family Stadium, but Elijah will always be the first. His story is far from done. He recently just signed a contract extension with LouCity.
After his performances late last season, 2023 is poised to be a big year for the hometown hero. Keep an eye on his blossoming career. The best has yet to come!
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