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Offseason Louisville City FC signing Jay Tee Kamara will join USL League One side North Carolina FC for 2021 on a season-long loan, the club announced Tuesday.

As part of the loan agreement, LouCity, which plays in the USL Championship, retains the option to recall Kamara later in the campaign.

USL Championship member Louisville City FC has partnered with North Carolina FC to loan midfielder Jay Tee Kamara the USL League One counterpart, it was announced Tuesday.

It’s expected the 18-year-old will spend the balance of the 2021 season with North Carolina FC, though LouCity retains the option to recall Kamara this summer.

“At this time in his development, we feel it is important for Jay Tee to have the chance to get as many game minutes as possible,” said John Hackworth, LouCity’s head coach and sporting director. “While we all loved seeing his ability on the ball, there are other areas he needs to improve in order to represent this club. 

“Therefore, we believe Jay Tee has an excellent opportunity at North Carolina FC. Their principles and style of play are similar to ours. Most importantly, the coaches, who we know well, wanted and needed Jay Tee.”

A product of Florida prep school powerhouse Monteverde Academy, Kamara signed with the boys in purple in January and spent the last two months training and playing in preseason games.

LouCity will on Saturday cap a daunting preseason slate that included games against four MLS clubs by hosting the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC for an exhibition at Lynn Family Stadium. The game will be open to the public with kickoff set for 3 p.m. Tickets are available at www.loucity.com or by calling (502) LOU-CITY during regular business hours.

LouCity will then open its 2021 regular season at home April 24 against Atlanta United 2.

Louisville City FC’s offensive found rhythm in the club’s final preseason road trip of the season as the boys in purple registered a 4-2 victory Sunday over reigning USL League One champion Greenville Triumph SC.

With the teams meeting to play at University of the Cumberlands in southeastern Kentucky, a brace from Cameron Lancaster, plus goals by Brian Ownby and George Davis IV, made the difference after LouCity faced early deficits of 1-0 and 2-1.

“We want to thank the University of the Cumberlands for hosting us and the Greenville Triumph this afternoon,” said LouCity coach John Hackworth. “It was a tough game against a good opponent. I was really pleased with our second half performance. We did a better job of controlling the ball and created some good scoring opportunities.”

A back-and-forth first half saw Greenville’s Marios Lomis put his club in front with a pair of goals. Lancaster answered the first one, cleaning up a ball sprung loose by the opposing goalkeeper, before Ownby equalized minutes before the break.

Dominant in the second half, LouCity shut out Greenville from there as Lancaster scored his second goal and Davis IV notched another on an assist from Jorge Gonzalez, who recently arrived on loan from Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers.

After a series of games against MLS foes, LouCity has now defeated lower division clubs in consecutive weekends, with Chattanooga FC the club’s other recent opponent.

The boys in purple will play in front of their home fans Saturday for the first time this year, hosting the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Lynn Family Stadium. Visit www.loucity.com or call (502) LOU-CITY during regular business hours to secure tickets.

“As we look forward to next Saturday, we are excited about playing in front of our fans in Lynn Family Stadium,” Hackworth said.

LouCity is preparing for an April 24 start to its 32-game regular season, which comes on the heels of a 2020 season in which the boys in purple reached a sixth consecutive Eastern Conference Final.

Louisville City FC will play all but one of its games this year under the lights, it was announced Friday as the USL Championship announced kickoff times for the 2021 regular season.

The campaign begins at 7:30 p.m. on April 24 when the boys in purple open against Atlanta United 2 at Lynn Family Stadium. That same time will apply to all home games aside from the club’s nationally televised Oct. 3 matchup with New Mexico United at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.

The earliest LouCity will kick off away is 6 p.m., while an opening whistle on the road will blow as late as 9 p.m. for a July 23 trip to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, also on ESPN2.

Fans can newly sync the full list of dates to their calendar at www.loucity.com/2021-schedule.

With game times now set, a full broadcast schedule will soon follow. LouCity games will air locally on WDRB Media’s family of stations, primarily WBKI/The CW, as well as on ESPN Louisville’s radio networks.

There’s a chance to see the boys in purple in preseason play, too. They host the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on April 17 in a game open to the public at Lynn Family Stadium. Visit www.loucity.com/tickets for more information.

LouCity’s full regular season schedule with home games listed in bold…

April 24: LouCity vs. Atlanta United 2 (7:30 p.m.)

May 8: LouCity vs. Birmingham Legion FC (7:30 p.m.)

May 22: LouCity vs. San Diego Loyal SC (7:30 p.m.)

May 29: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven (7:30 p.m.)

June 6: Atlanta United 2 vs. LouCity (7:30 p.m.)

June 12: LouCity vs. Memphis 901 FC (7:30 p.m.)

June 16: LouCity vs. Birmingham Legion FC (7:30 p.m.)

June 19: FC Tulsa vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

June 26: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven (7:30 p.m.)

July 2: Sporting KC II vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

July 10: FC Tulsa vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

July 14: LouCity vs. OKC Energy FC (7:30 p.m.)

July 17: LouCity vs. Atlanta United 2 (7:30 p.m.)

July 23: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. LouCity (9 p.m.)

July 28: Sporting KC II vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

July 31: LouCity vs. OKC Energy FC (7:30 p.m.)

Aug. 7: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (7:30 p.m.)

Aug. 14: LouCity vs. FC Tulsa (7:30 p.m.)

Aug. 22: OKC Energy FC vs. LouCity (6 p.m.)

Aug. 28: Birmingham Legion FC vs. LouCity (7:30 p.m.)

Sept. 3: LouCity vs. FC Tulsa (7:30 p.m.)

Sept. 7: Hartford Athletic vs. LouCity (7 p.m.)

Sept. 12: OKC Energy FC vs. LouCity (7 p.m.)

Sept. 18: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity (7 p.m.)

Sept. 25: Memphis 901 FC vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

Sept. 29: Atlanta United 2 vs. LouCity (7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: LouCity vs. New Mexico United (3 p.m.)

Oct. 9: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II (7:30 p.m.)

Oct. 13: Memphis 901 FC vs. LouCity (8 p.m.)

Oct. 16: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity (7 p.m.)

Oct. 23: LouCity vs. Memphis 901 FC (7:30 p.m.)

Oct. 30: Birmingham Legion FC vs. LouCity (7:30 p.m.)

Louisville City FC will twice appear on national broadcasts this season in games against high-profile, cross-divisional opponents, the USL Championship announced Wednesday.

First for LouCity is its Sept. 7 matchup at Hartford Athletic set to air at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with the primetime contest featuring last year’s top Eastern Conference points earners.

Lynn Family Stadium will then get its chance to shine on national television when LouCity hosts New Mexico United at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 3, also on ESPN2. ET. The initial meeting between these sides will pit two of the USL Championship’s most well-supported clubs against one another.

In addition to the linear schedule on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, the remainder of the USL Championship season and playoff games will stream live on ESPN+, giving fans a front-row seat for almost 700 games across both leagues.

Locally, fans can catch each regular season game on the WDRB Media family of networks, primarily WBKI/Louisville’s CW, with radio coverage on ESPN Louisville’s AM 680 and FM 105.7. Game times and full local broadcast assignments are pending.

LouCity will open its regular season April 24 against Atlanta United 2 at Lynn Family Stadium. The USL Championship season, which consists of 32 games played mostly within newly established divisions, culminates Nov. 28 with the final at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN2.

“This is the biggest and brightest platform we’ve ever had for our league,” said USL Executive Vice President Court Jeske. “We are thrilled at the wide selection of games, clubs and landmark moments that will appear on national television this season. It’s a special thing for our league to be able to showcase our clubs and cities across the USL Championship and League One on ESPN’s networks in addition to streaming an incredible schedule on ESPN+.”

Two preseason games remain for the boys in purple, who face reigning USL League One champion Greenville Triumph FC on Sunday before meeting Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in their final tuneup. That game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium, is open to the public with tickets available at www.loucity.com.

2021 USL on ESPN TV Schedule

• April 30 – Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• May 6 – Rio Grande Valley FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• May 15 – Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Phoenix Rising FC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• May 16 – Greenville Triumph SC vs. Union Omaha, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• June 3 – Austin Bold FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• June 15 – Indy Eleven vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• June 23 – Miami FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• July 3 – San Diego Loyal SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• July 10 – Oakland Roots SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• July 17 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. San Antonio FC, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• July 21 – San Antonio FC vs. New Mexico United, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• August 10 – Memphis 901 FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• September 7 – Hartford Athletic vs. Louisville City FC, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• September 8 – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• September 30 – Hartford Athletic vs. Charlotte Independence, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• October 3 – Louisville City FC vs. New Mexico United, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• October 7 – Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charleston Battery, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• October 24 – El Paso Locomotive FC vs. OKC Energy FC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes
• November 28 – USL Championship Final, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes

Louisville City FC’s exhibition scheduled for Wednesday at FC Cincinnati has been canceled by the host club. As a result, LouCity will continue its preseason Sunday when meeting with the reigning USL League One champion Greenville Triumph SC.

The boys in purple will then put the finishing touches on their preparations with an April 17 friendly against the USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Lynn Family Stadium. Tickets are on presale now for season ticket members; what’s left will be available to the public starting at noon Tuesday.

During a testing preseason, LouCity has so far seen four Major League Soccer clubs including FC Cincinnati, which it defeated 3-0 back on March 13. The boys in purple most recently got a late game winner Saturday from forward Cameron Lancaster when knocking off Chattanooga FC by a 3-2 score.

All the preparations lead up to an April 24 opener at Lynn Family Stadium against Atlanta United 2. Game times for the 2021 USL Championship season are to be announced.

Paolo DelPiccolo, Jimmy McLaughlin and Cameron Lancaster all scored during the second half Saturday as Louisville City FC’s attack found its stride in a 3-2 preseason victory over Chattanooga FC.

The boys in purple rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit at Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium, with an 83rd-minute rocket of a shot by Lancaster the game winner in an exhibition played in front of a smattering of fans.

LouCity’s head coach, John Hackworth, lauded the way his club rallied “in the fashion that we did.”

“Basically changed a little bit of tactics, took what our opponent was giving us and that was really important,” Hackworth added. “The guys that came on in the second half made a huge impact and scored two goals out of the three.”

Whereas LouCity hails from the USL Championship, Chattanooga FC has risen from an amateur side to fully professional club competing in the National Independent Soccer Association.

A banner affixed to the stadium’s wall honored the most prominent link between the two organizations. Before becoming LouCity’s longest-tenured player, midfielder Niall McCabe developed during his college days at Chattanooga. The sign read: “Always a Blue…even in Lou!”

Pleasantries ended not long after the opening whistle when a Sean Hoffstatter goal pushed Chattanooga ahead in the 10th minute. LouCity had its share of near misses until DelPiccolo brought the score level in the 67th, cleaning up a Jonathan Gomez corner as the ball caromed about the box.

Five minutes later, McLaughlin — the former FC Cincinnati forward who signed with LouCity this past offseason — then netted his first goal in purple, capitalizing on a one-on-one chance with the opposing goalkeeper.

“It means the world to me,” McLaughlin said of scoring. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work here over the last seven, eight, nine weeks of preseason. The coaching staff has been challenging and pushing me out of my comfort zone to get the best out of myself. The guys have been really helpful in integrating me into the system and into the team, and it feels good for it to all come together today with my first goal in purple.”

Chattanooga, however, was quick to tie the score again when Juan Hernandez’s 75th-minute strike evened things, at least until Lancaster provided the final answer on rocketed shot into the top-left corner.

Lancaster’s goal was a long time in the making. His try off a free kick’s rebound narrowly missed wide left in the 34th minute, he forced the keeper to make a stop on a header in the 34th, and in the 54th Lancaster broke down the defense but left his attempt just high.

The native Englishman, who surpassed 50 LouCity goals last season while on loan from Nashville SC, has returned for 2021 under a new multi-year contract with Louisville.

LouCity traveled to Chattanooga on the heels of facing four Major League Soccer opponents within the last month. City rematches Wednesday with FC Cincinnati in its next preseason tuneup, building toward its April 24 USL Championship opener against Atlanta United 2 at Lynn Family Stadium.

Louisville City FC and Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers have agreed on a season-long loan deal sending midfielder Jorge Gonzalez to LouCity, it was announced Friday.

The 22-year-old, who signed a new deal with the Timbers, has reported and will be eligible Saturday when the boys in purple play away against Chattanooga FC in a 3 p.m. preseason exhibition.

“It’s a win-win situation for us and Portland,” said LouCity’s head coach and sporting director, John Hackworth, who envisions Gonzalez in various attacking roles. “He fits the profile in terms of technical and tactical ability, but he’s also a really good person who’s going to increase the competitiveness for playing time on the field.”

Gonzalez joins the boys in purple after spending last season with the club’s USL Championship side, Portland Timbers 2, pouring in 8 goals across 10 appearances during an abridged campaign. He caught particular fire in September, registering 6 goals and an assist across five appearances.

A native of Valencia, Spain, Gonzalez made the move to the United States in 2016 to play collegiately at NCAA Division II’s Mercyhurst University in Erie, Penn. In his one season with the Lakers, the midfielder had a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year campaign while tallying 14 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances. 

Gonzalez then transferred to Division I SIU Edwardsville, where he was coached by future LouCity Academy Director Mario Sanchez. The midfielder finished a decorated three seasons there by being named the 2019 Mid-American Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year.

Gonzalez, who also competed with USL League Two side Chicago FC United during his senior year at SIUE, went 76th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft to LAFC. He wound up signing with the Timbers, joined their USL side and made his professional debut on Aug. 3, 2020, in a 4-0 victory over the Tacoma Defiance. 

“I’m really excited to be here after a long time without being on the pitch,” Gonzalez said. “I can’t wait to play my first game in Lynn Family Stadium. Louisville City FC has always been a great team looking in from the outside. It’s great to join them for the season.”

Gonzalez is the sixth newcomer to join LouCity ahead of the 2021 season, which kicks off April 24 against Atlanta United 2. The boys in purple also return a core of 18 athletes who finished 2020 on a run of 13 games unbeaten to reach the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference Final.

Louisville City FC will put finishing touches on its preseason in front of fans at Lynn Family Stadium, the club announced Thursday, as the boys in purple host fellow USL Championship member Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

The exhibition has been pushed back a day from its original spot on the calendar to April 17 with kickoff at 3 p.m., ideally positioning the game one week out from LouCity’s regular season opener. The new date also avoids any conflict with sister club Racing Louisville FC’s away NWSL Challenge Cup game April 16 against the Washington Spirit.

Season ticket members will be emailed to access a 24-hour presale starting Monday and receive complimentary parking for the LouCity-Pittsburgh friendly. Any remaining seats go on sale to the public at 12 p.m. Tuesday.

Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and concession areas will be open as LouCity seeks a true stadium game experience ahead of its regular season.

Lynn Family Stadium will continue to follow regular COVID-19 safety measures under stadium operator ASM Global’s VenueShield program, which include wearing face coverings except when actively eating or drinking. Visit www.loucity.com/VenueShield for more information.

“Facing Pittsburgh in our final preseason match here at home is a perfect way to prepare for the following week’s opener,” said John Hackworth, LouCity’s head coach and sporting director. “(Pittsburgh coach) Bob Lilley always had his teams well prepared, so we know that we will get a stern test. Moreover, playing in Lynn Family Stadium with our fans in attendance will allow us to experience all the actual game day rhythms from logistics to emotions.

“We can’t wait to engage with our faithful fans at home for the first time in 2021.”

Annual rivals since LouCity launched in 2015, Louisville and Pittsburgh will not meet in the regular season while operating under new division alignments set by the USL Championship. The boys in purple play the majority of their games against Central Division foes, while the Riverhounds hail from the Atlantic.

Contests between the two sides have been historically competitive with LouCity posting a 5-5-4 record across all 14 meetings. It was LouCity which most recently came up on the winning side of the rivalry when the boys in purple defeated the Riverhounds by a 2-0 score to open last year’s playoffs in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

A rematch will mark the first opportunity for the public to see LouCity in town since last October and for many locals the chance to finally take in a game at Lynn Family Stadium, which opened last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the Pittsburgh friendly, LouCity will begin its 2021 USL Championship campaign on April 24 when hosting Atlanta United 2 in the first of 32 games. Visit www.loucity.com/2021-schedule to see the full calendar.

The USL Championship season is nearly upon us, and with Tuesday’s schedule release, it finally feels real.

Since last fall’s heartbreaking loss in the Eastern Conference Final after a serious surge up the table, the boys in purple have their sights set on a return to the USL Championship Final for what would be the fourth time in five seasons. 

Their 32-game slate includes four matchups each (twice home, twice away) against seven Central Division opponents: Atlanta United 2, Birmingham Legion, Indy Eleven, Memphis 901, Sporting KC 2, OKC Energy and Tulsa. Coach John Hackworth’s squad will also play four matches outside its division, including a game at Colorado Springs and home contests against New Mexico and San Diego. Hartford Athletic, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference last season, also hosts LouCity.

The club figures to once again be among the top teams in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference, and Birmingham Legion, Indy Eleven and Tulsa look like the primary competitors in the Central Division.

Starting with the April 24 opener, let’s run through the seven games on the 2021 schedule that stick out the most to me.

April 24 vs. Atlanta United 2

After a long offseason, the rubber meets the road when Louisville City hosts Atlanta United 2 on a Saturday to open the latest quest for the league trophy. You just never know what you’ll get when Atlanta United 2 comes to town with its young roster of MLS prospects. Former Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Robbie Mertz joined the club in the offseason. Big-time scorer 2020 MLS SuperDraft pick Phillip Goodrum should be in the mix, too. And it’s the opener, when all that pent-up energy bursts.

May 22 vs. San Diego Loyal

Storylines abound when team owner and manager Landon Donovan’s club comes to the Derby City. Not only will U.S. Soccer’s most famous alum be prowling the touchline for the Loyal but John Hackworth’s son, Morgan, will be wearing the orange and white.

May 29 vs. Indy Eleven

A week later, Louisville City hosts its USL Championship arch rival in the first of four Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest meetings. A familiar face from the derby, Tyler Gibson, now wears purple and will be facing off against his old team for the first time, adding some spice to the occasion. Indy Eleven also added Nicky Law, a midfielder with 16 years of experience in English and Scottish football, this offseason alongside a handful of players with MLS experience.

July 23 at Colorado Springs

The Switchbacks open up the brand-new, 8,000-seat Weidner Field this season, and Louisville City makes one of the first road trips west to experience the new digs. Bring the oxygen masks: The stadium is set at the highest elevation of any in American soccer. Also of note: Former LouCity defender Jimmy Ockford joined Colorado Springs this offseason.

July 27 vs. Atlanta United 2

I know, I know: two games against Atlanta United 2 on this list?! But this one, just like the season opener, could very well be a big for its own reasons. Sure, it’s the first home game in July, but it also gets toward the time of year when LouCity should have anywhere close to a crowd at the 15,304-capacity Lynn Family Stadium. Just the thought of that gets me giddy.

Sept. 7 at Hartford Athletic

Level on points with Lou City in the revamped 2020 regular season, this late-campaign, cross-divisional matchup has potential for fireworks. Hartford signed U.S. national youth team product Sebastian Elney from New York Red Bulls and 2014 USL Championship Rookie of the Year finalist Bradford Jamieson IV this offseason to bolster its attacking options.

Oct. 3 vs. New Mexico United

The USL Championship’s attendance leader in 2019, pre-pandemic, makes the trek east to Lynn Family Stadium for a showdown with another club known for its serious home support. Former LouCity attacker Ilija Ilic signed with New Mexico over the winter, meaning he’ll once again visit the boys in purple after spending recent seasons at Indy Eleven. This is the first meeting between clubs, too.

Award-winning journalist Jeff Greer is also LouCity’s play-by-play announcer for games on ESPN Louisville and host of the Soccer City radio show airing at 6 p.m. each Thursday.

The USL Championship on Tuesday announced a 32-game Louisville City FC schedule that will see a pair of prominent Western Conference opponents visit Lynn Family Stadium in 2021.

On May 22, the boys in purple host San Diego Loyal SC — co-owned and managed by U.S. Soccer legend Landon Donovan — and on Oct. 3 receive a visit from New Mexico United, one of the league’s most well-supported clubs since its launch three years ago.

Two standout road dates include a trips to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on July 24 in a new $35 million soccer-specific stadium, Weidner Field. On Sept. 7, LouCity goes to Hartford Athletic, pitting last year’s top Eastern Conference points earners against one another.

Those four cross-conference and regional matchups complement the bulk of a regular season to be played within the Eastern Conference’s new Central Division. Starting with the April 24 home opener against Atlanta United 2, LouCity will match up against each divisional opponent twice home and away, accounting for the 2021 season’s remaining 28 games.

More information regarding stadium capacity, kickoff times and broadcast assignments will follow in the weeks to come.

“We’re glad to have more dates to work toward, especially visits from San Diego and New Mexico that will be highly anticipated matchups for our fan bases,” said LouCity’s head coach and sporting director, John Hackworth. “At the same time, this schedule presents a number of challenges.

“While we’re starting the season as early as allowed, the back half of the season is congested with games well beyond normal. Finding ways to keep legs fresh will be key while pushing for another trophy.”

LouCity, which has brought back the core of a roster that advanced to last year’s Eastern Conference Final, will be vying to win its third USL Championship Final in 2021. Among the club’s returners are All-League First Team forward Cameron Lancaster and defender Sean Totsch.

The rest of the Central Division consists of rival Indy Eleven — which will not have defeated LouCity in 1,120 days when the clubs next meet on May 29 — along with Birmingham Legion FC, FC Tulsa, Memphis 901 FC, OKC Energy and Sporting KC II.

San Diego Loyal’s Donovan, who led the club to a playoffs near miss in its debut season last year, remains the joint U.S. Men’s National Team leader in goals (57) with Clint Dempsey and is alone atop the assists list (58). His presence won’t be the only story line when San Diego visits with Hackworth’s oldest son, Morgan, a defender for the Loyal.

As for Louisville’s other Western Conference visitors, New Mexico United led the USL championship in attendance in 2019 at 12,963 per game, ensuring a large crowd will be on hand at Lynn Family Stadium with plenty more watching from afar.

The club’s first cross-conference away date should be a headliner for Colorado Springs as well. Its new venue, Weidner Field in downtown, will hold 8,000 fans and notably is the USL Championship’s highest elevated stadium some 6,035 feet above sea level.

Hartford Athletic, perhaps the strongest test a regional opponent could provide LouCity, went 11-3-2 during 2020’s abbreviated campaign, posting the same record as the boys in purple. Goal differential elevated LouCity to the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 playoffs seed.

Hartford hails from the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division, Colorado Springs from the Mountain Division and San Diego from the Pacific Division. The league’s 2021 playoff format is to be announced.

2021 Louisville City FC regular season schedule

(Home games listed in bold.)

April 24: LouCity vs. Atlanta United 2

May 8: LouCity vs. Birmingham Legion FC

May 22: LouCity vs. San Diego Loyal SC

May 29: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven

June 6: Atlanta United 2 vs. LouCity

June 12: LouCity vs. Memphis 901 FC

June 16: LouCity vs. Birmingham Legion FC

June 19: FC Tulsa vs. LouCity

June 26: LouCity vs. Indy Eleven

July 2: Sporting KC II vs. LouCity

July 10: FC Tulsa vs. LouCity

July 14: LouCity vs. OKC Energy FC

July 17: LouCity vs. Atlanta United 2

July 23: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. LouCity

July 28: Sporting KC II vs. LouCity

July 31: LouCity vs. OKC Energy FC

Aug. 7: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II

Aug. 14: LouCity vs. FC Tulsa

Aug. 22: OKC Energy FC vs. LouCity

Aug. 28: Birmingham Legion FC vs. LouCity

Sept. 3: LouCity vs. FC Tulsa

Sept. 7: Hartford Athletic vs. LouCity

Sept. 12: OKC Energy FC vs. LouCity

Sept. 18: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity

Sept. 25: Memphis 901 FC vs. LouCity

Sept. 29: Atlanta United 2 vs. LouCity

Oct. 3: LouCity vs. New Mexico United

Oct. 9: LouCity vs. Sporting KC II

Oct. 13: Memphis 901 FC vs. LouCity

Oct. 16: Indy Eleven vs. LouCity

Oct. 23: LouCity vs. Memphis 901 FC

Oct. 30: Birmingham Legion FC vs. LouCity