Louisville City FC is set to host Las Vegas Lights FC in an exciting match at Lynn Family Stadium. The game will not only feature an intense on-field battle but also celebrate Pride Night and bid farewell to star defender Josh Wynder, who will be leaving for Portugal to play for Benfica.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m., and the fans will be treated to a special sight as the LouCity players don their “All for XI” warmup tops. The first 2,000 fans entering the stadium will receive matching rally towels, symbolizing the unity of the 11 players on the pitch and the 11 colors of the Progress Pride Flag.

This game holds extra significance as LouCity’s 2023 Pride beneficiaries, including the Louisville Pride Foundation and Louisville Youth Group, will have a presence at the game through concourse tabling and other activations in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s an opportunity for fans to show their support and contribute to a worthy cause. For tickets and more information, visit LouCity.com/Pride.

Before the game kicks off, the club will honor 18-year-old defender Josh Wynder. Wynder recently completed a groundbreaking seven-figure transfer to Benfica, one of Portugal’s most successful clubs. The recognition serves as a farewell to Wynder, who has been an instrumental part of the team and will now embark on a new chapter in his career.

On the field, LouCity aims to make up ground in the Eastern Conference standings. Currently sitting sixth with a record of 6-4-4 and 22 points, they face a congested schedule but are determined to climb higher. Their previous match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Phoenix Rising FC, where coach Danny Cruz rotated the squad to manage the workload.

Las Vegas Lights FC, on the other hand, has had a challenging season, currently sitting last in the Western Conference with a record of 1-7-6 and 9 points. They have struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only 13 goals in 14 games. This will be the first meeting between LouCity and Lights FC, providing an opportunity for both teams to test their mettle against unfamiliar opponents.

Fans can follow the game through various channels. It will be broadcast live on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville’s 680/105.7. Streaming options include the WDRB Now app for the local feed in Louisville and ESPN+ for the home feed of all USL Championship games not selected for national TV. For real-time updates, starting lineups, and more, follow @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook, and louisvillecityfc on Instagram.

In terms of player availability, LouCity will be without Jorge Gonzalez and Jordan Scarlett, while Kyle Morton is also unavailable. Brian Ownby and Manny Perez are listed as questionable, and Elijah Wynder’s availability is also uncertain.

As the game approaches, several storylines are worth following. LouCity has not been as dominant at home this season, with a 3-3-0 record at Lynn Family Stadium. They will look to reclaim their fortress status and secure a win on Pride Night. The team will rely on rookie goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, who has been impressive between the posts, making crucial saves and keeping clean sheets. Sean Totsch, known for his penalty kick prowess, has been lethal from the spot, converting all seven of his attempts.

LouCity has also showcased the impact of their substitutes in recent games. Both Wilson Harris and Dylan Mares scored goals within seconds of coming onto the field, highlighting the depth and instant impact of their bench players. The team will hope for similar contributions in this match.

Additionally, the game against FC Kaiserslautern provided an opportunity for key players to return from injury. Niall McCabe and Manny Perez made their comebacks, adding strength and experience to the squad. However, injuries remain a concern for LouCity, leading to the signing of defender Jabari Rasheed to a USL Academy contract. Rasheed, along with other academy standouts Gio Chavez, Dakota Hart, and Jack Travis, has been making waves and will be eager to make an impact in the senior team.

Overall, the match between Louisville City FC and Las Vegas Lights FC promises excitement on and off the field. With Pride Night celebrations, a farewell to Josh Wynder, and a competitive encounter between the two teams, fans can expect an entertaining evening at Lynn Family Stadium.

Considering how rough LouCity has been playing, with one win (and two draws) in the last six matchups, this is the best time to be playing LVLFC (currently last in the west). We will predict LouCity 2 LVLFC 0 as this could (and should) be a ‘Get Right’ game for the Lads in Purple. 

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