2025 Louisville City FC season
| 2025 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | John Neace | |||
| Manager | Danny Cruz | |||
| Stadium | Lynn Family Stadium | |||
| USLC | Eastern Conference: 1st Overall: 1st | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | |||
| USL Championship Playoffs | Conference Quarter-Finals | |||
| USL Cup | Group stage | |||
| Highest home attendance | 13,611 (August 9, against Charleston) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | League: 8,147 (June 7, against Tampa Bay) Overall: 2,642 (April 15, against Loudoun) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 9,540 | |||
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The 2025 Louisville City FC season was the club's eleventh season of competition. Louisville City competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.[1]
During the season, Louisville had one of the most dominant performances in USL Championship history, winning their second in a row Players Shield with 73 points, averaging a historical 2.43 points per game and losing only once.[2] However, in the playoffs, Louisville was stunned by eighth-seeded Detroit City FC at home to continue Louisville's league championship drought at seven years.[3][4]
Background
Louisville entered the 2025 season following a successful season that ended with playoff disappointment. The club won the 2024 USL Championship Player's Shield after having the best record in the league.[5] However, in the second round of the 2024 USL Championship playoffs, Louisville was stunned at home by fifth-seeded expansion club Rhode Island FC in a 3–0 defeat.[6]
Roster
Current roster
- As of May 27, 2025[7]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- ^ USL Academy Contract
Competitions
Preseason and friendlies
USL Championship
Standings — Eastern Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville City FC (S) | 30 | 22 | 1 | 7 | 56 | 19 | +37 | 73 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Charleston Battery | 30 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 62 | 32 | +30 | 62 | |
| 3 | North Carolina FC | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 45 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (C) | 30 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 32 | 28 | +4 | 44[a] | |
| 5 | Hartford Athletic | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 48 | 36 | +12 | 44[a] |
Results summary
On December 19, 2024, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[8]
All times in regular season on Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-04:00) unless otherwise noted
Match results
| March 8 1 | Charleston Battery | 1–2 | Louisville City FC | Mount Pleasant, SC |
| Torres 63' Rodriguez 70' |
Report | Lopez 53' Perez 76' |
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 3,438 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| March 16 2 | Birmingham Legion FC | 1–1 | Louisville City FC | Birmingham, Alabama |
| 9:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 3,724 Referee: Kyle Johnston |
| March 22 3 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Loudoun United FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 4:00 PM |
|
Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,673 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
| March 29 4 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Detroit City FC | Louisville, KY |
| 4:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,004 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
| April 5 5 | Sacramento Republic FC | 1–1 | Louisville City FC | Sacramento, California |
| 10:00 PM | Parano 69' | Report | Dia 90'+8' | Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 9,880 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| April 19 6 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 1–2 | Louisville City FC | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Bassett 58' | Report | Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 6,263 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
| May 1 7 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Lexington SC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,233 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
| May 10 8 | Louisville City FC | 0–0 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,903 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| May 17 9 | Hartford Athletic | 1-1 | Louisville City FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Edwards 88' | Report | Goodrum 39' | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,749 Referee: John Griggs |
| May 24 10 | Monterey Bay FC | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Seaside, California |
| 9:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 3,002 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
| June 7 11 | Louisville City FC | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Report |
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Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,147 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| June 11 12 | Louisville City FC | 2–1 | Rhode Island FC | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00PM | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,183 Referee: Elton García |
| June 14 12 | Louisville City FC | 4–2 | Birmingham Legion FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
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Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,802 Referee: Mark Verso |
| June 20 13 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Louisville City FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 PM |
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Report |
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Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 2,479 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| June 25 15 | Loudoun United FC | 1–4 | Louisville City FC | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 6:00 PM EDT |
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Report | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 583 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
| July 4 16 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 8:00 PM | Report | Goodrum 9' | Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 7,248 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| July 19 17 | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | FC Tulsa | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM | Lancaster 90'+2' | Report | ElMedkhar 90'+5' | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,859 Referee: Luis Arroyo |
| August 2 18 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | North Carolina FC | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM |
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Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,756 Referee: Gerald Flores |
| August 9 19 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Charleston Battery | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Myers 52' | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 13,611 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
| August 16 20 | Miami FC | 2–4 | Louisville City FC | Miami, Florida |
| 6:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Pitbull Stadium Attendance: 1,233 Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
| August 23 21 | Louisville City FC | 0−0 | New Mexico United | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 10,719 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| August 30 22 | Indy Eleven | 1–3 | Louisville City FC | Indianapolis, IN |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Carroll Stadium Attendance: 10,230 Referee: Greg Dopka |
| September 6 23 | Rhode Island FC | 0−1 | Louisville City FC | Pawtucket, RI |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
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Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium Attendance: 10,534 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
| September 13 24 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 5,152 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
| September 20 25 | Louisville City FC | 3–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 10,825 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| September 27 26 | Detroit City FC | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Hamtramck, MI |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Totsch 6' | Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 6,269 Referee: Elton García |
| October 4 27 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Indy Eleven | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,785 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
| October 11 28 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Miami FC | Louisville, KY |
| 7:30 PM | Ownby 88' | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 10,237 Referee: Amin Hadzic |
| October 18 29 | Orange County SC | 0–0 | Louisville City FC | Irvine, California |
| 10:00 PM | Report | Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| October 25 30 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Hartford Athletic | Louisville, KY |
| 7:30 PM | Goodrum 39' | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,527 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
USL Championship playoffs
As the first seed in the Eastern Conference and the overall best record in the league, Louisville clinched a home playoff spot for the entire playoffs.[9] In the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Louisville was matched up against eight-seeded Detroit City FC,[10] ultimately losing 1–0 at home.[11]
| November 1, 2025 East | Louisville City FC | 0–1 | Detroit City FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:00 PM ET | Report | Amoo-Mensah 34' | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,210 Referee: Greg Dopka |
USL Cup
Louisville City participated in the second edition of the USL Cup, the first edition to feature teams from both the USL Championship and League One.[12][13]
Standings
| Pos | Lg | Team | Pld | W | PKW | PKL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USLC | Loudoun United FC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | USL1 | Charlotte Independence | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 | |
| 3 | USLC | Louisville City FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 9 | |
| 4 | USLC | Lexington SC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 | |
| 5 | USLC | North Carolina FC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 5 |
Updated to match(es) played on July 26, 2025. Source: USL
Group stage
| April 26, 2025 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Richmond Kickers | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Report |
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Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 8,922 Referee: Drew Klemp |
| May 31, 2025 | Loudoun United FC | 2–1 | Louisville City FC | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 6:00 PM EDT | Report |
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Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 1,583 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| June 29, 2025 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | North Carolina FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Wilson 10' | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 7,002 Referee: Jeremy Scheer | |
| Note: Match moved from June 28 to June 29 to accommodate travel issues experienced by North Carolina FC. | ||||
| July 26 | Lexington SC | 1–2 | Louisville City FC | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 7:00 PM EDT |
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Report |
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Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 8,252 Referee: Corbyn May |
U.S. Open Cup
Louisville City, as a member of the second division USL Championship, entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round based on their performance in the 2024 USL Championship season.[14]
| April 15, 2025 Third Round | Louisville City FC (USLC) | 2–1 | Loudoun United FC (USLC) | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT | Report |
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Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 2,642 Referee: Elivis Osmanovic |
| May 7, 2025 Round of 32 | Louisville City FC | 0–1 | Minnesota United FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:30 p.m. EDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 4,482 Referee: Muhammad Kaleia |
References
- ^ Morrissey, John (March 4, 2025). "Louisville City 2025 USL Championship season preview". Backheeled. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ Ralph, Matthew (October 15, 2025). "Louisville City FC captures second straight shield". Philadelphia Soccer Now. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ^ Crawford, Eric (November 1, 2025). "LouCity's dream season ends with stunning 1-0 playoff loss to Detroit". WDRB. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ^ Lukic, Andres (November 2, 2025). "Championship dream ends for LouCity after quarterfinal loss to Detroit". wave3.com. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ^ Cunningham, Connor (October 5, 2024). "Louisville City clinches regular season title with 2-2 draw against Indy Eleven". WDRB. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Rousseau, Jacob. "RIFC stuns No. 1 Louisville City FC to reach Eastern Conference Final against Charleston". The Providence Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Roster". loucity.com. Louisville City FC. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ USLSoccer Staff (December 19, 2024). "USL Championship reveals the 2025 season schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Nicholas (October 12, 2025). "Louisville City claims second consecutive USL Championship Players' Shield". USL Championship. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Detroit City FC draws in final regular season match but makes playoffs". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Detroit City FC pulls a stunner, upsets No. 1 seed Louisville City FC". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (December 12, 2024). "ANOTHER COMPETITION: USL adds Jägermeister Cup for Championship, League One teams". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Silverman, Alex (December 12, 2024). "USL expanding Jägermeister Cup to all teams". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (April 17, 2025). "ROUND OF 32 DRAW: For the U.S. Open Cup". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2025.