LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's no ordinary opener. Louisville City Football Club has been preparing to start its 2025 season with a bang when it visits Charleston Battery for a matchup of last year's top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
The game, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina, offers an early test for both sides as they look to gain the upper hand in the conference.
Not surprisingly, given the recent history of the franchises, season opener carries weight beyond just three points for LouCity. After finishing atop the Eastern Conference last season, the club fell short of its ultimate goal in the postseason. Head coach Danny Cruz doesn't deny that the disappointment of the 2024 playoffs has been a driving force behind his team's preparation.
"I'd be lying if I said that it hasn't kind of fueled us," Cruz said. "... We were certainly proud of the things that we accomplished last year, the consistency that we had most of the season. ... But we have a lot more to accomplish."
That tone will be tested immediately against Charleston, which finished second in the East last season and has reloaded with key signings, including forward Cal Jennings. Both teams boast championship ambitions, and this early-season showdown could serve as a playoff preview.
A look at some key storylines heading into the opener and the new season.
A Rivalry Renewed
In 2023, Charleston ended LouCity's season in the Eastern Conference Final. The boys in purple got some measure of revenge in August 2024, defeating the Battery, 3-1, at Lynn Family Stadium before a raucous crowd of 13,526.
Charleston's offensive firepower, which helped the Battery tally 68 goals last season, will be tested against a LouCity defense that was among the league's best. Both teams lost their leading scorers to European transfers—LouCity's Wilson Harris and Charleston's Nick Markanich—but have reloaded with proven USL goal threats.
"Certainly, a difficult opponent to start the season with," Cruz said. "But, we're excited with the challenge."
LouCity's Attack: Goodrum Steps In
One of the biggest questions for Louisville City heading into 2025 is how it will replace the production of Harris, who has joined Maccabi Petah Tikva FC of the Israeli first division. The answer may come from Phillip Goodrum, a five-year USL veteran who signed with LouCity last August. Goodrum has 48 career goals in the USL Championship and is eager to step into a larger role.
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Goodrum said. "I know what's expected of me, and I'm ready to lead the attack. We've got a lot of talented guys around me, so I think we'll be dangerous going forward."
Goodrum's supporting cast includes returning playmakers like Taylor Davila and Arturo Ordóñez, both of whom earned All-League First Team honors last season. Midfielders Kevon Lambert and Zach Duncan could also make their LouCity debuts Saturday, adding new dimensions to the attack.
Defense Wins Championships
While LouCity's attacking transition will be a focal point, its defensive stability remains a cornerstone of the team's identity. The backline is anchored by veteran center back Sean Totsch, a three-time All-League First Team honoree.
Totsch emphasized the importance of maintaining the club's winning culture, regardless of personnel changes.
"The guys that have joined, it's been seamless," Totsch said. "They've come in and not just been a part of the culture, but added to it. That's a big thing."
Goalkeeper Damian Las returns after a strong 2024 campaign in which he logged 80 saves and nine shutouts. He'll be tasked with keeping Charleston's attack at bay in a difficult road environment.
New Faces, Same High Expectations
Despite the roster turnover, LouCity returns 20 players from last year's record-setting squad, including 86 percent of its goal production. That continuity, combined with key offseason acquisitions, has the team confident heading into the season.
"We're super excited. I mean, it's go time, and I think we're ready to show everyone what we can do," said midfielder Kevon Lambert, who joins the club on loan from Real Salt Lake."
Lambert's physical presence in the midfield could be a game-changer for LouCity, particularly against a Charleston side that prides itself on controlling possession. His ability to disrupt opposing attacks while contributing offensively will be an early development to watch.
Road Tests to Start the Year
The season opener marks the first of two consecutive road games for Louisville City. While starting a campaign away from home presents challenges, Cruz, as usual, is emphasizing a no-excuses mentality.
"We understand that the different environments, the different fields that we play on, the travel, that's going to play a role," Cruz said. "... But there are no excuses. At the end of the season, we're not going to look back and say, 'Well, we played on a turf field,' or, 'Well, it was hot.' That's irrelevant. We'll address this weekend as we would any game on the road, which is, we're going do everything we can to make sure we come away with three points.:"
What to Watch Cor
- Coaching chess match: Cruz, last year's USL Coach of the Year, faces off against Charleston's Ben Pirmann, who won the award in 2022. The two have split their previous 11 matchups (4-4-3), making this one another even contest on paper.
- Debut performances: New signings like Lambert, Duncan, and rookie defender Josh Jones — a former University of Louisville captain looking to make his pro debut — could see their first competitive action in purple.
- Midfield battle: LouCity's experienced midfield will need to neutralize Charleston's attacking threats and control possession.
- Set pieces: Both teams excelled on set pieces last season, making dead-ball situations a potential difference-maker.
- The captaincy: Brian Ownby will serve as LouCity's captain in 2025. The 34-year-old forward was named to the role ahead of the 2024 season, just before a season-ending leg injury in the final preseason game prevented him from ever wearing the armband in a competitive game. In the event Ownby is not on the field, Cruz said a member of LouCity's leadership group will have the honors.
The Bigger Picture
While it's only the first game, LouCity could set a tone with a road win Saturday. With a mix of returning talent and new faces, expectations remain high for a club that has established itself among the most consistently excellent in the USL Championship.
"Our ultimate goal is to win everything," Totsch said. "It starts with the habits Danny talks about every day, and trying to implement those so that we build that winning mentality and winning culture and ultimately achieve our goal at the end of the season."
LouCity fans won't have to wait long to see their team back at home. After another road test against Birmingham Legion FC, the boys in purple return to Lynn Family Stadium for their home opener on March 22 against Loudoun United FC.
How to Follow
- The game will air live locally on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville's AM 680/FM 105.7.
- If streaming, download the free WDRB+ app to watch the local feed in Louisville.
- For starting lineup and in-game updates, follow @loucityfc on Twitter. Also, find the club at louisvillecityfc on Instagram and Louisville City FC on Facebook.
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