By Chris Mattingly
Conventional wisdom says that at age 32, Brian Ownby should be slowing down. Yet on Saturday night, the veteran Louisville City FC winger once again looked like the fastest player on Lynn Family Stadium’s pitch.
Ownby put forth a Man of the Match performance proving he has plenty left in the tank, netting his second goal of the season thanks to a Wilson Harris assist in a 3-1 victory over Miami FC.
“We all know it doesn’t last forever,” Ownby said afterward. “So for me, for the guys, (coach Danny Cruz) preaches it all the time. He was in our shoes. It’s just to be grateful and don’t take any moment for granted.”
In his seventh year in purple, Ownby continues to look older but wiser. He combined for a career-high 14 goals plus assists in 2021, followed up with 13 more goal contributions last season and already has four to his name this year despite missing multiple games.
“For me it’s about getting around the right people,” he said earlier this season. “We’ve always had a solid team.”
After trainings, Ownby returns home to his wife, Samm, and son Aidan. The couple’s first child arrived in November of 2021. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that since then, Ownby has been on a tear.
“They say sometimes you have family, kids and all of that changes everything — a lot more tired,” he said. “But honestly, it’s brought more life to me, and I’m just enjoying myself out there.”
As LouCity started its season 2-0, winning back to back games in California, Ownby registered a pair of assists in the season opener at Orange County SC. Those moved him into the club’s all-time lead in the category. The next week at Monterey Bay FC, Ownby scored the game-winner in a 1-0 victory.
It wasn’t until last Saturday against Miami FC that he hit the back of the net again. Stumbling blocks included a controversial second yellow card in that Monterey Bay game, resulting in a one-game suspension, plus an illness in April that forced him to miss more time.
After Ownby curled in his goal over the weekend, he sprinted toward the stands, arms raised to another family member.
“My dad was in town,” he said. “It’s been a while since he’s come to a game.”
“I thought he was dangerous all night,” Cruz added of Ownby. “The first goal comes from his movement and behind. As he continues to feel healthy and puts minutes under his legs, and gets used to the moments he’s going to continue to be lethal.”
