With Louisville City FC playing its third game in eight days Saturday, schedule congestion created a pair of opportunities for players breaking into the lineup.
Both Sam Gleadle and Niall McCabe will make their first starts of 2024 when LouCity kicks off at 7 p.m. at Miami FC. The versatile Gleadle slots into a striker role for Wilson Harris, who will rest Saturday, while the veteran midfielder McCabe replaces Taylor Davila.
City (8-1-2, 26 points) is looking to extend a six-game unbeaten streak on short rest, with this match in close proximity to last Saturday’s scoreless draw at Rhode Island FC and a 5-1 midweek rout of Detroit City FC.
Miami FC (2-9-1, 7 points) hasn’t taken a point from a game since April but will get to play on its home turf at FIU Stadium.
A familiar starting group will fill out the rest of coach Danny Cruz’s starting 11 starting with Damian Las in goal and a back line of Arturo Ordóñez,Wes Charpie and Sean Totsch.
Jake Morris returns on the left wing. In another change from Wednesday, Cruz will rotate in Aiden McFadden for Jansen Wilson on the right.
McCabe will wear the captain’s armband as he takes up a midfield partnership with Elijah Wynder. Adrien Perez and Jorge Gonzalez join Gleadle in the front three of a 5-2-3 formation.
LouCity-Miami FC will air locally on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville’s AM 680/FM 105.7. ESPN+ will carry national streaming coverage.
Team sheet vs. Miami FC
18 – Damian Las
3 – Jake Morris
5 – Arturo Ordóñez
6 – Wes Charpie
4 – Sean Totsch
2 – Aiden McFadden
11 – Niall McCabe (C)
23 – Elijah Wynder
21 – Jorge Gonzalez
20 – Sam Gleadle
16 – Adrien Perez
Substitutes: 12 – Danny Faundez, 13 – Amadou Dia, 25 – Jansen Wilson, 17 – Taylor Davila, 22 – Dylan Mares, 7 – Ray Serrano, 24 – Tola Showunmi
