'Calm, cool and collected' | 16-year-old Brandon Dayes makes Louisville City FC debut

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Brandon Dayes became the second-youngest player for Louisville City FC to appear in a USL game when he started in Sunday's 1-0 win over North Carolina in a Jägermeister Cup match.

The 16-year-old, who just finished his sophomore year at St. Xavier High School, is slightly older than another Louisville native, Josh Wynder, when he first appeared with the club.

"He showed up on game day like he does to training every day," said Louisville City coach Danny Cruz. "Calm, cool and collected. Same again today. It was a big moment for him, but he handled it the way we expected he would."

Dayes has been part of the Louisville City Academy program and appeared in an international friendly with the first team last summer. He was a guard on St. Xavier's top-ranked basketball team this past season, but his hoops days are likely over.

Louisville City has always prided itself on developing younger players and putting them in position to succeed and grow. Dayes said he's gotten great direction from the coaches and his teammates, especially fellow defenders.

"All of them — (Sean) Totsch, Josh (Jones), Arturo (Ordonez), Kyle (Adams)," Dayes said. "They've all been great mentors to me — teaching me the ropes. They've been really helpful with my debut here and throughout my process.

"It's amazing how much attention they pour into me and the younger generation. The amount of support they give me is great. I'm so thankful."

"When you look at his athleticism, he is already, for sure, at the level of the first-team players," Cruz said. "Then it's about reading the game and tactics — and that's our job. Our job is to make sure we're preparing him for that. He has an open mind, he wants to learn, and I'm really excited about his future here and his ceiling."

Louisville City has a trip west to meet the defending USL champions, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. That's a 9 p.m. start Friday.