Soccer at Sluggar
Louisville Slugger Field usually is used for Bats games, a Triple-A minor league baseball team, but on some days, the setting completely changes from baseball to an electric soccer atmosphere. This transformation takes place when the Coopers of Louisville City Futbol Club, which is a new professional soccer USL team, invade the stadium. The USL aims to get these minor league players into the big league, otherwise known as the MLS. Usually, around 8,000 ecstatic fans from around the city gather to cheer on their local professional team as they take aim at capturing the USL Title. Before LCFC begins their competition in the evenings, it takes twelve hours to transform the dirt of the baseball field into astro turf for the soccer game. It's quite a long process to change the field, but it's for a great night of soccer and promotion of the game within our city.
The Louisville City team currently sits comfortably in second place in its division which clinches a playoff spot and home field advantage. Louisville City has a unique style of play, usually aiming to dominate possession of the ball led by midfielders, Juan Guzman and Magnus Rasmussen. On the defensive side, goalkeeper, Scott Goodwin, plays consistently well in front of the net, and the back line usually keeps the attacking side of the opponent to a low goal differential. On the attacking side, forward, Matthew Fondy, has shined bright for Louisville City, netting over twenty goals this season and more to come! Starting midfielder, Juan Guzman, also an assistant coach here at CAL, loves playing here in Louisville, saying, “It's really fun and an honor to be able to represent Louisville through this game.” Guzman’s impressive fitness has given him a great experience on the field and a phenomenal time playing in Louisville. He stated, “It’s been really exciting to see the amount of enthusiasm from the fans and the support we have had from the city all year long. And internally (team) it's been awesome with the teammates and coaching staff. Unity has been a great word to describe our team. I love it.” If you have nothing planned on Saturdays, be sure to check out Slugger Field for a fun-filled match as Louisville City competes for the USL title. I am positive this excited Louisville City team would love to have your support as they head off into the playoffs and try to bring back that trophy to our city in their first season as a local professional team.
Photo by Brad H.
