January 30, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
LouCity forward Ray Serrano at Nashville SC
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Zac Cahill)
Louisville City FC – less than a week into training toward the 2023 season – played Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC to a scoreless draw Monday at GEODIS Park in its first competition of the year.
LouCity substituted plenty among rostered professionals, trialists and a number of youth academy standouts, mixing in more kids as the 90-minute game reached its late stages. The club, which returns a USL Championship-record 22 players from last season, also saw offseason signings Rasmus Thellufsen and Dylan Mares make their debuts in purple.
Nashville SC entered having already played twice this preseason – against MLS’ New York Red Bulls and the U.S. Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team. LouCity’s Josh Wynder newly joined preseason with his club this week having invited to that U-20 camp.
“I came away really, really happy with the overall intensity and the mentality of the group,” said coach Danny Cruz. “…That’s a really good team there, and we’ve only been together here for four or five days up to this point. But guys came out and did well. The most important part is we walked out of here with no injuries, which is key.”
LouCity had a few opportunities to score Monday, including in the first half when a shot by forward Wilson Harris forced a save. Wynder had a look on the ensuing corner kick that flew just wide of the post. Chances were limited in the second half, when Tyler Gibson’s try from near the top of the box was well handled by Nashville SC’s goalkeeper.
This closed-door friendly marked a rematch from last year’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. Nashville SC won last time thanks to a late goal by designated player Hany Mukhtar, who started Monday but was held in check as LouCity registered a clean sheet.
“I think anytime you have a back line that hasn’t always played together, it’s really key that the communication and organization is collective,” Cruz said. “I felt it was that today. When you look at giving away no goals against an opponent like them, that’s something to certainly be proud of and build on.”
From here, LouCity will head west to play a mix of MLS and USL Championship clubs as part of a trip to Arizona and Texas. Preseason leads up to a 34-game league campaign kicking off March 11 at Orange County SC. The boys in purple get their home opener March 25 against El Paso…
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