By Chris Mattingly
“We always have dreams and hope for the best.”
Those were the words Saturday night of goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, a 6-foot-3 presence off to a soaring start with Louisville City FC.
The rookie out of Marshall University signed in February and — considering LouCity returned USL Championship Golden Glove winner Kyle Morton — has found himself in the unlikely position of starting four games already this year. Semmle has yet to concede a goal, registering another clean sheet against San Antonio FC in a rematch of 2022’s league final.
“I watched the game last year, and I saw how intense it was,” Semmle said of the first LouCity-San Antonio meeting.“You saw it today. The guys were fighting. During the week of preparation, everybody was hyped. Everybody was ready. It was a little bit different this week, and I’m glad we won the game.”
Semmle, quick to spread the credit, mentioned LouCity’s goalkeeping coach, Scott Budnick, along with the club’s depth at his position. In addition to Morton’s standout season last year, Danny Faundez led the boys in purple through the playoffs and to an Eastern Conference title, including a conference semifinal won in a penalty kick shootout.
“We keep pushing each other,” Semmle said. “I’m glad I got to play, and I want to keep playing. I’m going to fight for myself.”
Semmle has been in goal for all three LouCity wins since the squad let in eight goals over a two-game losing skid earlier this season. Each victorious score line was 1-0, and he has faced only five shots on target over that span. But the native of Germany has shown bravery in routinely coming off his line to claim balls in the air or squelch through passes before they turn into quality chances.
“He’s been fantastic,” coach Danny Cruz said of Semmle. “He’s come in. He’s learned. He wants to listen. He wants to grow. I think his management of games has continued to improve. He had a couple big, big saves (Saturday). The kid’s continuing to prove how much better he’s going to get. For me, excellent — he’s done a good job since he’s been with us.”
Semmle is no stranger to big stages, helping Marshall win the 2020 national title. However, he described playing at Lynn Family Stadium — with a season-high 11,589 in attendance Saturday — as a heightened sort of experience.
“It was similar when we won the national championship — a lot of people. It was loud. There was an atmosphere,” Semmle said. “I think it was even better today, to be honest. The atmosphere was amazing — so loud. I was just happy to be out there and happy to win.”
Semmle will keep making Cruz’s selection choice a difficult one heading into a congested schedule. LouCity travels to play the Charleston Battery on Saturday in the first of three games over eight days with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
