By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider
game notes #CLTvLOU
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After an unbeaten 2016 preseason, Louisville City FC will travel to open the USL regular season against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday. The 2016 season will kick off at Charlotte’s Ramblewood Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
Three Things To Watch
Confidence Is Key: LouCity finished its preseason with a 4-0-0 record after playing NCAA college teams and one team from the North American Soccer League — Indy Eleven. Saturday’s, 1-0, victory over Indy had to be encouraging for LouCity players and coaches. Look for LouCity to play with a high level of confidence heading into their first game after a preseason that saw them score nine goals while conceding zero.
Who’s Gonna Play?: Coach James O’Connor did a great job of rotating the squad during all four preseason games, with nearly all members of the squad seeing preseason game action. However, it didn’t provide a clear look as to what LouCity’s starting XI will look like. Fans will surely be curious to see who gets O’Connor’s nod on Saturday in Charlotte.
Independent of the Independence: O’Connor signed 10 new players for LouCity during the offseason, including two that played for the Charlotte Independence in 2015. Former University of Louisville Cardinal Paolo DelPiccolo and Ben Newnam both spent time in Charlotte. DelPiccolo appeared for the Independence 26 times in 2015, while Newnam appeared 11 times in 2015 after being loaned from Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. DelPiccolo will surely be ready to play against his former club, while Newnam is facing a 1-match ban for receiving a red card in the 2015 finale.
Last season, LouCity played against the Independence twice. The Charlotte outfit defeated the first-year club, 1-0, in Charlotte, while LouCity defeated Charlotte in a rematch at Louisville Slugger Field, 1-0.
Entering 2016, Louisville City FC has returned 13 players from the 2015 roster — including reigning USL Goal of the Season winner Aodhan Quinn and former English Premier League striker Cameron Lancaster. New additions include MLS Cup-winning forward Chandler Hoffman, University of Louisville alumnus DelPiccolo and University of Kentucky alumnus George Davis IV.
Following the season opener on March 26 at Charlotte, LouCity will return to Louisville Slugger Field on April 2 to host New York Red Bulls II in the home opener, with a special 3 p.m. kickoff.
Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.
