‘We’re going to embrace it.’ Lexington Sporting Club plays Louisville City for first time.
The first “Kentucky Derby” between Lexington Sporting Club and Louisville City FC is only days away.
LSC and Lou City will meet in the second round of the 108th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Lynn Family Stadium in downtown Louisville.
The U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.
Lexington SC — which plays in USL League One, the third tier of men’s professional soccer in the United States — will have its first match in the competition against in-state rival Louisville City, which plays in the USL Championship (second tier).
This will be the first-ever meeting between LSC and Lou City.
“When it comes time to shift to the Open Cup, we’re going to embrace it,” LSC head coach and men’s sporting director Sam Stockley told the Herald-Leader last month. “It’s a great opportunity for two clubs to sell a lot of tickets, sell merchandise and all of that. It’s going to be an extremely tough game for us. ... But it’s a great opportunity for us and our club to go down there and do what we can and show them what we’re able to do.”
Louisville City’s best finish in a U.S. Open Cup came in 2018 when it reached the quarterfinals.
Since Major League Soccer debuted in 1996, MLS clubs have won the U.S. Open Cup every year but one.
The winner of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup will receive $300,000 in prize money, with the runner-up getting $100,000. The team that advances the furthest from each lower division will take home $25,000.
The best showing in 2022 by a USL League One franchise was by Union Omaha, which reached the quarterfinals.
Wednesday
Lexington Sporting Club at Louisville City FC
What: U.S. Open Cup second-round match
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville
Tickets: Seatgeek.com/lexington-sporting-club
Streaming: B/R Football YouTube page
Where to watch, how to follow Lexington Sporting Club during inaugural USL League One season
Pro soccer in Central Kentucky ‘a win for everybody’ if owner’s long-term vision kicks in
What will define a successful first year for the Lexington Sporting Club?
Meet every player on Lexington Sporting Club’s inaugural roster for USL League One season
Who will Lexington SC play this season? What to know about other USL League One teams.
Q and A: Sam Stockley discusses present and future aspirations for Lexington Sporting Club
Sam Stockley: Lexington Sporting Club aiming to win on field and in community
‘Big on doing things right.’ What will game-day experience be like for Lexington SC?
A timeline of professional sports in Lexington over the past five decades
Lexington Sporting Club reveals road jerseys ahead of debut season in USL League One
Lexington Sporting Club takes the pitch for its first USL League One match. How did it go?
