LOUISVILLE, Ky. & TAMPA, Fla. - The United Soccer League announced today that Louisville City FC will add a USL League Two team for the 2026 season.

Since its founding in 2014, LouCity has been one of the premier teams in the USL Championship, winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 and most recently in 2025 setting the league record for points per game in a single season. LouCity has deliberately developed a strong academy system with the mission to provide a clear pathway to professional, collegiate, and national teams for its players. Striving for greatness just as it does on the pitch, the club aims to develop more professional, collegiate, and national team players than any other academy in the country.

“The USL League Two side is a capstone of our development pyramid, providing a highly competitive summer environment for our college players and top Academy talent,” said James O’Connor, Louisville City FC President. “It ensures that every talented young player in our region has a clear route to the professional game while giving them the exposure they need at a pre-professional level.”

LouCity has become a major presence in the soccer and overall sports landscape of Louisville and the greater area. Through its LouCity & Racing Foundation, the club helps kids across the region engage with soccer from a young age. The foundation’s “On & Off the P.I.T.C.H.” program has engaged hundreds of kids in five or ten-week sessions to introduce them to the game. Participants will learn using the club’s P.I.T.C.H. model which teaches the pillars of personal accountability, intellectually engaged, trust, commitment, and humility.

Louisville’s Academy has shown tremendous success developing local talent since its inception. After the signing of Brandon Dayes last week, LouCity has graduated seven players from USL Academy Contracts to professional deals with the first team including Josh Wynder, Elijah Wynder, Owen Damm, Sebastian Sanchez, Isaac Cano, and Carlos Moguel Jr.

"LouCity’s pedigree for developing talent is among if not the best in the American soccer landscape,” said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “Having them join League Two will provide more opportunities for its up-and-coming players to play meaningful games and raise the level of competition across the league.”

LouCity will join the Valley Division of League Two’s Central Conference.

To learn more about Louisville City FC, visit the club’s website, Instagram, X, and Facebook.