It was a BUSY weekend-plus-Monday, and there’s a lot to get to. Let’s do it.
LouCity U17s find success at Academy Cup
Louisville City’s U17s finished second in their group at the USL Academy Cup. The squad won their opening game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds 7-2, lost the second match against South Georgia Tormenta 0-3 and closed out the tournament by beating FC Miami City 9-0. Congrats to the boys!
There’s a national event in Tampa in May. I’m not sure whether City qualified for it, if the regional events were even actually qualifiers, or if City had planned on going regardless of events. We’ll let you know if there are any developments.
Louisville City 3-0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks
Ok, first, sorry to get everyone excited about watching any of the Wasatch Winter Cup on ESPN+. Apparently I was misled by an internet web log. For shame! But City played on Sunday and did pretty well. Cameron Lancaster got the start and picked up two goals in the first half. Abdou scored the third late in the second. Thoughts on the opening match from the man himself:
City’s next match is on Wednesday against Union Omaha, and they finish up the week against Real Monarchs on Saturday. The Monarchs game will be broadcast live on YouTube – I’ll make sure to post the link in Friday’s Purple Press.
SECRET TRIALISTS REVEALED! Number three will surprise you!
Phillip Durbin does all this hard work for us during the offseason to figure out who’s in training camp or playing in friendlies that isn’t actually on the roster yet, and then John Hackworth just tells us in a YouTube video on Sunday:
None of these three guys are anyone I had on my radar. That means either the club is doing a great job a playing some misdirection with us fans, or they quickly moved on from the guys I thought were on trial with them a few weeks ago. Either way, depth is good.
I only know a little bit about Wes Charpie, a defender and lower league veteran of sorts. He’s a decent player, more of a fullback than a central defender. His preferred spot is right back, but given the lack of depth at center back and especially left back, I’d guess that’s where Hackworth would rather see him.
Cory Thomas is from Corydon, played college soccer at IU, but hasn’t played any professional minutes since he graduated in 2018. We’ve come across diamonds in the rough before, but the jury’s out on whether this is one of those. Thomas was an offensive-minded midfielder for the Hoosiers.
It’s neat to see one of Hack’s kids in the squad! We wouldn’t hate to see him in purple in the future, either.
Soccer Holdings presents plan to city for revamped Champions Park
I might be most excited about this most recent development: Soccer Holdings has requested to lease the soccer fields on top of the old Edith Avenue landfill from Metro Government. If the council gives them permission, the club would refurbish the park and turn it into practice facilities primarily for Unnamed NWSL Team but also for youth sports leagues, too.
Louisville, in my view, desperately needs this kind of infrastructure for youth sports. Finding suitable places to practice and play is an issue for every youth club in the area. I’m very glad to see Soccer Holdings taking the lead and finally doing something about it.
