January 29, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
Goalkeeper Damian Las with Austin FC II
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Austin FC II)
Louisville City FC has acquired U.S. youth international goalkeeper Damian Las on loan from Major League Soccer’s Austin FC, the clubs announced Monday.
Las will spend the 2024 season with LouCity fresh off signing a new multi-year contract with Austin. Terms of his loan deal, which is pending league and federation approval, were not disclosed.
Las moves to LouCity after he was named MLS NEXT Pro’s 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year while guiding Austin FC II to the third-division league’s title. The 21-year-old from Des Plaines, Illinois, registered 12 clean sheets during the regular season – double the number of any other goalkeeper – while posting a 79.2% save percentage and 0.74 goals-against average.
“We are thrilled to be able to welcome Damian to Louisville City,” said coach Danny Cruz. “He is a player that Scott Budnick, our goalkeepers coach, brought to our attention, and we felt would be a great addition to our group. We are thankful to Austin FC, as they have entrusted us with one of their players. There is no doubt in my mind that we will do everything we can to continue his development both on and off the field.”
“I am very excited to be joining Louisville City,” Las said. “It is a great club with a great fan base. I want to come in, help the team as much as possible and continue my development. I am ready to work hard for the club and for my teammates.”
Las steps into a role that has thrived under Budnick’s guidance. Kyle Morton won the USL Championship’s Golden Glove in 2022. Then last year, Oliver Semmle racked up a Championship-record 13 clean sheets for a rookie.
A 6-foot-1 shot stopper, Las originally signed with Austin FC in 2022 on a transfer from English side Fulham FC, where he appeared for the club’s U-23 squad in Premier League 2. He has so far represented the U.S. at the U-15 and U-17 levels, making a start in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Las, who was invited to last summer’s MLS All-Star Challenge, took MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month honors in each of April, June and August. His diving save on a curling North Texas SC free kick back on April 12 was also voted the league’s Save of the Year.
“Damian’s pedigree and accomplishments speak to the value he will bring to our locker room and our goalkeeping corps,” Budnick said. “I look forward to welcoming Damian…