The USL Championship Task Force, in conjunction with an affirmative vote by the league’s Board of Governors, announced Monday that the current training moratorium will be lifted effective Wednesday.
This move paves the way for a return to full-squad training.
Clubs may not start contact training until Wednesday and must have approval from local and state health authorities and USL HQ.
The USL Championship and the USL Players Association previously announced an agreement on a return to play this season, with clubs preparing to restart on July 11. A schedule and competition structure are pending.
In its only outing so far this year, LouCity began 2020 with a 1-0 away win at North Carolina FC, prevailing after striker Cameron Lancaster’s 63rd-minute goal. The March 7 victory came the weekend before sports leagues around the world largely paused to prevent COVID-19’s spread.
News
Lintner rejoins LouCity as head of PR, communications
Jonathan Lintner, a local journalist with deep ties to Louisville City FC, is returning to the club as senior director of public relations and communications, it was announced Monday.
Lintner previously chronicled LouCity’s beginnings for The Courier-Journal newspaper and served as its head of media relations during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, when pivotal steps were made toward constructing Lynn Family Stadium.
“We’re grateful and excited to welcome Jonathan back into our front office,” said team president Brad Estes. “He’s a hard-working team player who fits our culture perfectly. I know he will hit the ground running and make us better on Day 1.”
In his second go-around with LouCity, Lintner will pen the club’s news releases, coordinate with media and oversee the LouCity website, among other roles. He can be contacted at jlintner@https://www.www.loucity.com.
Lintner most recently worked as editor-in-chief of Louisville-based HorseRacingNation.com, leading coverage of America’s greatest races, including the Kentucky Derby. Visits to HRN properties surpassed 20 million visits in 2019, representing an 81% year-over-year spike.
“It was also incredible to see how Louisville City FC grew while watching from afar the last few years,” Lintner said. “That includes the new stadium, but also the front office. I’m excited to get into this team environment and continue telling the club’s story.
“It’s like coming home to a renovation. The promise of an NWSL franchise, the emerging academy and the recently announced training facility at Champions Park all signal an organization vying to be among the best in American soccer.”
A Louisville native, Lintner and his wife, Emily, live in the Germantown neighborhood. Both are graduates of Western Kentucky University’s journalism school.
Pride Warm-Ups Available for Pre-Sale
Pre-order your Pride jersey now through Sunday June 21.
Jerseys will start shipping July 27.
Soccer Holdings Releases Plans for New Training Facility
Today Soccer Holdings, LLC released schematic designs for its practice facility located on the grounds of Champions Park on River Road. The plan will provide training facilities for its USL Championship club Louisville City FC, the new NWSL franchise launching in 2021, and youth academy.
AML Construction has been selected as the contractor for the Champions Park site that will feature four turf fields for the youth academy and local community, three natural grass fields on which the professional clubs will train as well as a 30,000 square foot women’s and men’s training building.
“We now have the ability to house all of our teams in one place,” Soccer Holdings Executive Vice President of Development, James O’Connor. “This allows us to strengthen our culture of excellence while improving and inspiring all of our players, male or female, young or old to become the very best versions of themselves.”
The two-story men’s and women’s training building will consist of locker rooms for the NWSL, USL and academy teams, gym and workout areas, a kitchen and dining hall, and media room. Inside the facility will provide offices for front office staff and a concession space for the academy families.
“This new training facility is yet another example of the commitment of our Club to invest in our professional teams, youth academy and the Louisville community as a whole,” said Louisville City FC Head Coach and Sporting Director, John Hackworth. “Housing all these programs in a state-of-the-art facility will continue to strengthen our belief in becoming one of the preeminent clubs in the US. “
As another asset to help the Louisville City Academy grow the game of soccer locally, the practice facility’s turf fields will feature stadium lighting allowing them to host large soccer tournaments or accommodate other community events.
“Our new facility is a game changer for youth soccer in the greater Louisville area. The new facility will allow kids to train and develop all year long in a world class environment,” Youth Academy Director, Mario Sanchez. “Most importantly, our facility will inspire kids to dream as they train alongside our LouCity men and our NWSL women. We will also now have the opportunity to bring Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and USL Youth events to the city of Louisville. I am extremely proud of our city and ownership group for working together to bring this facility to fruition.”
The training facility will be privately financed and is expected to cost around $15 Million.
“This facility will provide access to the game of soccer for youth players in our region regardless of their means,” said Soccer Holdings, LLC President, Brad Estes. “We will be able to expand our offerings of free clinics, and we will be able to provide practice fields for other organizations that have struggled to find it. This game is for everyone and LouCity is striving to make it available to all.”
Be The Change
ALL LouCity scarf proceeds to benefit Black Lives Matter Louisville Chapter.
Pre-order only through June 8. Start shipping July 1.
USL Championship Board of Governors Voted in Favor of Returning to Play
Louisville City FC is pleased to announce that the USL Championship Board of Governors voted on Thursday in favor of returning to play for the 2020 season, with a provisional start date set for July 11. While additional information on competition format, scheduling, broadcast and other important details will be made available in the coming weeks, it’s important to note that the league’s return to play will be conducted in strict alignment with all local and state public health guidelines. USL HQ also remains in regular dialogue with the USL Players Association on all matters concerning player health and wellness protocols and looks forward to continuing those discussions.
“We are energized and motivated by the steps taken today by the USL Board of Governors,” said Louisville City FC President Brad Estes. “We have a lot of work to do, but we look forward to working with our players association and our state and local governments to resume play.”
“This is fantastic news for all of us,” Louisville City FC Sporting Director and Head Coach John Hackworth. “We look forward to resuming our 2020 season in the near future. While we wait for the league to announce the specific competition format and other details, we are excited to progress to full training and competitive matches. Hopefully, we will progress to the point where our faithful LouCity fans can watch us play in our new soccer cathedral, Lynn Family Stadium.”
To USL supporters across the country, we are grateful for your support throughout this process and look forward to being back in action with you all soon.
Our City
Face Coverings Available for Pre-Order
Louisville City FC and 95.7 QMF Team Up For Tribute Music-to-Lights Show
Fans and listeners can enjoy the music-to-lights show nightly at 9:30pm EST, for the next 7 days, by tuning in to 95.7 QMF, and watching online at wqmf.com.
The stadium is not open and gathering on property is not permitted.
Louisville City FC and 95.7 WQMF, Louisville’s Rock Station are teaming up to present a choreographed light show at the new Lynn Family Stadium, home of Louisville City Football Club. The show is a tribute to everyone in Kentuckiana that has done their part in our continuing battle with Covid19. From the front lines, to the families that are staying safe at home. This is a tribute to the spirit of our community.
The downtown Louisville music-to-lights show is set to begin at 9:30pm on Friday, May 15. 95.7 WQMF will play the Tom Petty classic, “I Won’t Back Down” in sync with the choreographed light display.
“This song is a reflection of the qualities we have displayed in this crisis” said Tony Tilford, Program Director and Air Personality for 95.7 WQMF. “At the end of the day it is a song of perseverance and resilience, it’s what Kentuckiana is all about. Overcoming adversity, as a united community.”
Lynn Family Stadium is the future soccer-specific home of Louisville City FC and the new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team coming in 2021 located in Butchertown. The lighting at Lynn Family Stadium is the Show-Light Entertainment Package designed by MUSCO Lighting. The lighting will sync to music and change colors to the beats as the song plays.
“Kentuckiana has truly not backed down from the fight against COVID-19!” said Mitch Ried, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Louisville City FC. “You can already see as we start to embrace the new normal, the Kentuckiana region will again show that it always comes back stronger than before.”
New Team Store located at Lynn Family Stadium opening Thursday, May 21
During this challenging time, the health and safety of our customers and community is our top priority. As a small business, we are committed to doing our part to flatten the curve while providing the safest, most convenient shopping experience possible.
To further encourage physical distancing, we will limit the number of people our store to 33% of capacity or less, while maintaining a 6-foot distance. We will also be temporarily providing curbside pick-up.
We are also taking these additional steps to protect our customers and associates:
- Cleaning commonly used areas more often, including cashier stations, credit card terminals, and cleaning shelves when restocking products.
- No cash payments.
- No public restrooms.
- All customers and staff are required to wear protective masks in our store.
Our New Team Store is located at:
350 Adams Street
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 919-9335
Parking is available on Cabel Street or in any gravel lot.
FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLINE ORDERS:
We are temporarily offering curbside pickup to our online customers beginning on 5/21/2020.
- Select “In Store pickup” at checkout.
- Once you receive an email notification that your order is READY FOR PICKUP, you can come to the Team Store, park in the spot on Cabel Street marked for curbside pickup, and call the store.
- Someone will run your order out to you within minutes.
Curbside pickup is available Mon-Sat, 1-6pm.
Shop online here.
