After biding his time the first half of Louisville City FC’s season, defender Amadou Dia is starting to earn more playing time.
The left-sided wingback will make his fourth start of the year at 9 p.m. ET Saturday when LouCity kicks off at New Mexico United.
Dia, who recently signed a new City contract, marks one of three changes for coach Danny Cruz in this battle of top Eastern and Western conference clubs at Isotopes Park. Defender Kyle Adams will start along the back line in his first USL Championship game since early June due to a foot injury, and Jansen Wilson is back into the 11 higher up the pitch.
Both Dia and Adams also started midweek when Eintracht Frankfurt visited Lynn Family Stadium for an international friendly.
Aside from that trio, it’s the same group coach Danny Cruz fielded a week ago when LouCity defeated Monterey Bay FC, 4-1.
Damian Las is in goal behind a defensive line of Adams, Arturo Ordóñez and Sean Totsch. Aiden McFadden has the assignment opposite of Dia as the right side’s wingback. Plus, Taylor Davila and Elijah Wynder will pair in the midfield with a front three of Wilson, Wilson Harris and Ray Serrano.
LouCity-New Mexico will air locally on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville’s AM 680/FM 105.7 with national streaming coverage on ESPN+.
Team Sheet vs. New Mexico United
18 – Damian Las
13 – Amadou Dia
32 – Kyle Adams (C)
5 – Arturo Ordóñez
4 – Sean Totsch
2 – Aiden McFadden
17 – Taylor Davila
23 – Elijah Wynder
25 – Jansen Wilson
14 – Wilson Harris
7 – Ray Serrano
Substitutes: 30 – Ryan Troutman, 3 – Jake Morris, 6 – Wes Charpie, 20 – Sam Gleadle, 11 – Niall McCabe, 22 – Dylan Mares, 27 – Evan Davila
