Louisville City FC are to become The National Women’s Soccer League’s fourth expansion team when they begin playing in the 2021 season.
They will be based at Lynn Family Stadium, a soccer-specific venue with a capacity of nearly 14,000, that is set to open in spring 2020.
“We are very excited to welcome John Neace and Louisville City FC into the NWSL,” League President Amanda Duffy told nwslsoccer.com. “With the club’s growing, passionate fanbase, coupled with its strong ownership group, and its significant investment in a soccer specific stadium in a downtown location, we are thrilled to bring the highest level of women’s professional soccer to the area.”
“We are incredibly honored to be joining NWSL, the greatest women’s soccer league in the world,” said Louisville City FC President Brad Estes. “We can’t wait to welcome these incredible athletes with open arms and support them in their mission to win championships. This market is hungry for more pro soccer, and we know our NWSL team will be a shining star in this league and in our community.”
The addition of Louisville also marks the sixth NWSL team to affiliate with a men’s pro team. Soccer Holdings, LLC, the ownership group of Louisville City FC will operatethe NWSL team using the existing management group, headed by Estes.
“As an owner, we jumped at the chance to join this exciting league,” said John Neace, Chairman of Soccer Holdings, LLC. “The athleticism in the NWSL is second to none while attendance is growing. This is a sound business decision as we complete the new soccer-only stadium and expand the entertainment district around it.”
Soccer Holdings will announce the team’s logo, crest and colors later this year. The NWSL expansion draft for the 2021 season will take place towards the end of 2020. Louisville will commence an international search for a top-level coach and technical staff before bringing in players.
