With Louisville City FC forward Brian Ownby and defender Oscar Jimenez back fit, coach Danny Cruz elected to start both Saturday as the boys in purple host San Diego Loyal SC. The critical late-season meeting between the Eastern and Western Conference’s fourth-place clubs kicks off at 7:30 p.m. inside Lynn Family Stadium.
Ownby, continuing to regain his conditioning after missing most of the summer with a pair of muscle injuries, came off the bench last weekend against the Tampa Bay Rowdies; this marks his first start since LouCity drew the Charleston Battery back on Aug. 9. Jimenez missed out completely at Tampa Bay due to a knock.
Wilson Harris – who scored last out against the Rowdies – will start at center forward between Jorge Gonzalez on the left and Ownby on the right.
The midfield pairing consists of team captain Paolo DelPiccolo, fresh of his 250th regular season USL Championship appearance, and LouCity Academy product Elijah Wynder.
As he has done of late, Cruz gave himself options between a three- or four-back formation. Jimenez and Manny Perez could play wing back or outside back pending the coach’s preference, while Carlos Moguel Jr. is capable or slotting in as a defender or holding midfielder. Sean Totsch and Wes Charpie will anchor the defensive line.
Behind City’s defense remains goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, who’s tied for the league lead with 11 clean sheets on the season.
Saturday’s game will air on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville’s 680/105.7. USL Championship games also stream via ESPN+.
Team Sheet vs. San Diego
28 — Oliver Semmle
15 — Manny Perez
4 — Sean Totsch
8 — Carlos Moguel Jr
6 — Wes Charpie
19 — Oscar Jimenez
10 — Brian Ownby
23 — Elijah Wynder
36 — Paolo DelPiccolo (C)
9 — Jorge Gonzalez
14 — Wilson Harris
Substitutes: 18 — Danny Faundez, 67 — Owen Damm, 32 — Kyle Adams, 12 — Tyler Gibson, 22 — Dylan Mares, 7 — Ray Serrano, 90 — Maarten Pouwels
