Maarten Pouwels, the 6-foot-7 Dutch striker signed last month, will make his first Louisville City FC start on Saturday as the boys in purple host Memphis 901 FC.
Both the new forward Pouwels and veteran LouCity striker Cameron Lancaster are listed in coach Danny Cruz’s starting lineup ahead of an 8 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium.
Their introductions mark two of four changes from last weekend’s scoreless draw with Hartford Athletic. Midfielder Elijah Wynder and defender Owen Damm — both LouCity Academy products — are also among Cruz’s 11.
This marks Wynder’s second start of the season. For Damm, it’s his first appearance of the year and first start since May of 2022.
Reinforcements were necessitated by a longer availability report than LouCity’s seen in recent weeks. The regular ride side of outside back Manny Perez (groin) and winger Brian Ownby (hamstring) are both out due to injury. Jorge Gonzalez and Carlos Moguel Jr. also picked up midweek knocks in training.
LouCity enters unbeaten in seven of its last eight league games — but goals have been hard to come by for the boys in purple, who are looking to better their average of one scored per game.
Memphis sits fourth, one spot behind City on the Eastern Conference table, and enters as one of the USL Championship’s hottest teams. 901 FC has won four straight games and gone without a defeat since March 18.
Saturday’s game will air locally on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville’s 680/105.7. USL Championship games also stream via ESPN+.
Team News vs. Memphis 901 FC
28 — Oliver Semmle
13 — Amadou Dia
4 — Sean Totsch (C)
6 — Wes Charpie
67 — Owen Damm
12 — Tyler Gibson
23 — Elijah Wynder
22 — Dylan Mares
5 — Rasmus Thellufsen
90 — Maarten Pouwels
17 — Cameron Lancaster
Substitutes: 18 — Danny Faundez, 51 — Ramzi Qawasmy, 19 — Oscar Jimenez, 36 — Paolo DelPiccolo, 7 — Ray Serrano, 77 — Enoch Mushagalusa, 14 — Wilson Harris
