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Three years ago, feeling Louisville needed professional sports to attract and retain talented young people in our community, 41 local residents launched a soccer club around which our town could rally. Aptly named Louisville City FC, the team has quickly built a reputation for winning and drawing some of the United Soccer League’s largest crowds.

A study conducted last year by the City of Louisville determined a soccer-specific stadium is needed to maintain and grow the game here. Now, after months of work with various property owners, Louisville City FC is a step closer to making that a reality.

Tracts of land are under option in the Butchertown Neighborhood, where the club plans to transform 40 acres into a 10,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium and adjacent development including space for offices, hotels and retail.

“Since receiving the results of the study, our board has explored a number of potential stadium locations, but none measured up to this site as a longterm home for Louisville City FC,” said club chairman John Neace. “We’re ready to solidify the future of LouCity, an important community asset.”

Through public-private partnership, LouCity intends to continue the revitalization of downtown Louisville and surrounding areas in space occupied by the former Challenger Lifts headquarters, an above-ground oil tank facility, a storage space and auto salvage lot.

A 10,000-seat soccer-specific stadium would open in 2020 on a site that is, as with the club, a winner. It’s situated next to Interstates 64 and 71, blocks from Main Street; a close walk from the Big Four Bridge; and within view of the downtown Louisville skyline.

LouCity is working with city government, Metro Council members and state economic development officials to make the project a reality. Construction of a stadium and nearby development, including office and retail space, would create jobs, drive tax revenues and spur economic growth beyond soccer.

“The concept of a master development agreement gives us the ability to build a stadium and commercial value around it that can assist in funding the stadium,” said LouCity board member Mike Mountjoy. “We want to thank Mayor Greg Fischer and his team for working side by side with us in planning this project.”

LouCity, which for now plays at Louisville Slugger Field, competes in the United Soccer League, sanctioned Division II in the United States below only Major League Soccer. The club has made back-to-back runs to the conference finals after starting play in 2015.

The USL has mandated that its members all move into soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. Additionally, LouCity pays rental fees at Slugger Field, which it splits with the Louisville Bats baseball team, as well as the cost of converting the field for soccer. Sponsorship opportunities are limited, and concession revenue does not go to the soccer club.

LouCity commissioned global architecture firm HOK for stadium design of a facility expandable to 20,000 seats should the opportunity to move to Major League Soccer present itself. Initial renderings show seating within close vicinity of the pitch, a suite level and amenities including roofs and multiple video boards.

“I want to thank our owners for all of their work toward getting us into a home of our own,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “It’s vital we play on a proper pitch, and I know a soccer-specific stadium is something our fans deserve. It’s an exciting time to be a part of Louisville City FC.”

Last year, an average of 7,218 fans attended LouCity’s home games. Off to an unbeaten start, the club’s next game is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Slugger Field. Tickets are available by calling (502) 384-8799, emailing tickets@louisvillecityfc.com or online at LouisvilleCityFC.com/tickets. Current season ticket holders will receive seating priority in the new stadium.

For one game, Louisville City FC fans are encouraged to wear a color other than purple to Slugger Field and match players as they don a new black kit.

Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. “blackout” game coincides with a matchup of the USL Eastern Conference Nos. 1 and 2 teams with both LouCity and the Tampa Bay Rowdies unbeaten.

The Adidas third kits are mostly black with purple accents, including a gradient pattern on the shirt and stripes on the shorts and socks. LouCity normally wears all purple at home, while white and gold make up the away look.

Replica versions of all three 2017 shirts will be on sale at the game with youth and adult sizes available. The club also sells an array of black T-shirts starting at $20.

LouCity has a history of playing well in third kits. Last year, the club didn’t lose in its white and gold. The design replaced an all-white uniform as the permanent away kit entering this season.

Advance tickets to Saturday’s game start at just $15, with five-game packs available for $70 and season tickets for $180. Email tickets@louisvillecityfc.com or call (502) 384-8799 to avoid online fees when ordering.

Tampa Bay enters Saturday with wins in all three of its games while featuring international star players such as Joe Cole, Marcel Schäfer and Georgi Hristov. Each have recorded either a goal or assist early this season.

LouCity meanwhile improved its record to 2-0-1 over the weekend, defeating the Richmond Kickers by a 1-0 score. Midfielder George Davis IV, a University of Kentucky graduate, leads the club with two goals and an assist. The roster also features team captain and University of Louisville graduate Paolo DelPiccolo along with local native Richard Ballard.

RICHMOND, Va. — It’s typically a team’s striker who takes a penalty kick, but on Saturday forward Luke Spencer yielded to George Davis IV late in a scoreless game against the Richmond Kickers. Coach James O’Connor believes in letting players decide who takes the shot, and Davis IV is brimming with confidence — for good reason, too.

The senior-most member of LouCity’s team knocked in a game-winner in the 81st minute to mark his 40th career United Soccer League goal, tied for third on the USL’s all-time list.

“George is someone who we know has goals in him,” O’Connor said. “He’s shown throughout his career he’s got tremendous ability to run on people and score goals.”

Now he’s showing it in a different position.

Davis IV has shifted from the wing in the attacking midfield to the 10 spot, playing just behind the lone striker. In addition to his goal Saturday, the University of Kentucky graduate scored another last week against Orlando City B and assisted Cameron Lancaster on a strike that went up for USL Goal of the Week voting.

Davis IV, 29, has worked in the middle of the field before this year having also suited up for former USL sides Dayton Dutch Lions, Los Angeles Blues and Orlando City SC in addition to the Kickers. Another former Richmond midfielder, Brian Ownby, moved to LouCity this season and occupies Davis IV’s former spot on the left wing.

“I just want to play,” Davis IV said. “Wherever I can help the team — get on the ball, create chances and score goals — that’s what I want to do. James has given me the opportunity to play in the hole, and hopefully I’ll make the most of it.”

University of Louisville product Paolo DelPiccolo wears the captain’s armband for LouCity in the holding midfield, but Davis IV is among a group of players O’Connor considers leaders.

“George is someone I have tremendous respect for,” the coach said. “He has great game understanding, great intelligence and fantastic worth ethic.”

That, O’Connor knew when he moved Davis IV to a new spot. O’Connor continues to learn about others on his team, which featured six newcomers in its starting lineup Saturday.

LouCity improved its record to 2-0-1. The club’s seven points are good for second on the Eastern Conference table behind only the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who have won all three of their games and visit Louisville on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff between USL powers.

LouCity’s players will have just a short drive to Slugger Field on game day. O’Connor noted how his club overcame significant travel delays on its way to Richmond before defeating the Kickers.

“We’ve just been really pleased with our mentality, especially after the issue we had yesterday with the travel and then the mindset and how strong it was today,” O’Connor said. “It was top class — exactly what we wanted.”

RICHMOND, Va. — Louisville City FC on Saturday continued its unbeaten start to the season, using an 81st-minute penalty kick by veteran midfielder George Davis IV to top the Richmond Kickers by a 1-0 score at City Stadium.

In his return from Canada’s U-23 squad, Mark-Anthony Kaye earned the penalty before Davis IV stutter stepped, then slotted a shot right of Richmond goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky for the go-ahead goal. A win improved LouCity’s record to 2-0-1 (7 points) early in its USL campaign.

“I was just confident,” Davis IV said. “I asked to have the ball and put it in the net. There’s a lot of guys capable of doing it. I happened to be the one to step up and do it. Great effort by Mark to earn the penalty. That’s another three points, and it’s good to get on the score sheet.”

• HIGHLIGHTS | See the top plays from Saturday’s game

Other than on Davis IV’s penalty, LouCity found Richmond a tough team to break down defensively. The Kickers conceded 54 percent of possession to the visitors and were out-shot by a 13-7 margin, but they never gave in on the run of play.

Richmond received a stellar effort from Klenofsky, the goalkeeper on loan from Major League Soccer’s DC United. He made five saves, including one in the 56th minute when Richmond native Brian Ownby — a former Kickers player — put a shot on frame. Klenofsky impeded the ball’s path, and it rolled off the post rather than into the net.

Ownby led all players with five shots in his homecoming. Davis IV had two, as did Kaye and midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo.

“A big congratulations to the players, because I thought we had a lot of possession, and I thought we showed a lot of patience,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “I think at times we needed to perhaps show a little bit more game understanding, but it’s really difficult when you play against that formation. Great credit to the guys. I’m really, really pleased.”

• WATCH | Postgame reaction from Davis IV, Coach O’Connor

LouCity nearly had another penalty kick opportunity, as midfielder Richard Ballard made a run into the box in the 26th minute and went down after contact with Conor Shanosky, a Richmond defender who played previously for the boys in purple.

The club nearly scored twice on set pieces as well. A well-placed corner kick fell to DelPiccolo in the 34th minute, when he attempted a volleyed shot that went flew wide right. Defender Sean Totsch also tried a bicycle kick on a corner in the 77th minute that was saved.

Finally, LouCity broke through a few minutes later to remain one of five USL Eastern Conference teams without a loss as of the final whistle. The club is back in action April 15 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Louisville Slugger Field.

Game Summary

Match: Richmond Kickers vs. Louisville City FC

Date: April 8, 2017

Venue: City Stadium

Kickoff: 5:05 p.m.

Weather: 67 degrees, sunny

Attendance: 7,603

Man of the Match: Tim Dobrowolski

Scoring

Richmond Kickers (0, 0, 0)

Louisville City FC (0, 1, 1)

Goals

Louisville City FC: 81’ George Davis IV penalty kick.

Lineups

Richmond Kickers: 26- Eric Klenofsky, 33- Maxim Tissot, 5- Conor Shanosky, 15- Mallan Roberts, 18- Alex Lee, 21- Christopher Durkin, 8- Evan Lee (75’ 9- Oliver Minatel), 16- Patrick McCann, 4- Fred Owusu Sekyere, 28- Samuel Asante (75’ 71- Luiz Fernando), 20- Mikey Minutillo (60’ 11- Anthony Grant)

Subs not used: 1- Marcel DeBellis, 3- Chris Odoi-Atsem, 10- Sunny Jane, 27- Raul Gonzalez

Head coach: Leigh Cowlishaw

Louisville City FC: 12- Luke Spencer, 23- Richard Ballard (71’ 11- Niall McCabe), 10- Brian Ownby (77’ 7- Mark-Anthony Kaye), 22- George Davis IV, 80- Speedy Williams (85’ 8- Guy Abend), 36- Paolo DelPiccolo, 6- Tarek Morad, 4- Sean Totsch, 19- Oscar Jimenez, 24- Kyle Smith, 28- Tim Dobrowolski

Subs not used: 13- Micah Bledsoe, 18- Paco Craig, 3- Sean Russell, 14- Ilija Ilic

Head coach: James O’Connor

Discipline

Richmond Kickers: 25’ Evan Lee- yellow card, 44’ Alex Lee- yellow card

Louisville City FC: 10’ George Davis IV- yellow card,

Officials

Referee: Danielle Chesky

Assistant Referee 1: Justin Howard

Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Davis

4th Official: Max Smith