Louisville City FC forward Luke Spencer was one to suffer the toll of battle in the last LIPAFC held in Indianapolis. Former teammate Kyle Smith also suffered serious injury in prior battles, and was forced to retire to a hospice in Kissimmee, Florida.
INDIANAPOLIS – For the second consecutive year, Indy Eleven and Louisville City FC will meet in the USL Championship Playoffs, with the prize at stake on Saturday afternoon (3 p.m. ET | Preview) the right to host the 2019 USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2 | ESPN Deportes).
But while many might look at the rivalry and think its first iteration came in the Third Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – when Louisville took a 2-0 victory in extra time behind goals from Nathan Polak and Sidney Rivera at Mike A. Carroll Stadium – the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest has a far longer history.
Thanks to online historians, the stories of those long-ago meetings have now been brought to light. We’re pleased to bring you their memories, and those tales that have been passed down over the generations that have made the LIPAFC the rivalry it is today.
Because, obviously, everything you read on Twitter is true.
The most important #LIPAFC since 1926 when Indy & Lou City played in the World Cup Semi-Finals in Anchorage. Indy beat Lou City on PKs, 36-35, when the match ended 3-3 after extra time. Lew Wallace’s grandson, Lewis Wallace Jr., put the ball into the net w/ the 92nd PK of the day https://t.co/JFY1BNrXJu
— Jake Fine (@jpfine218) November 4, 2019
Let’s remember that women’s professional soccer started during WWII when #LIPAFC was contested by female teams after most of the male players were drafted. It’s a shame what happened to them following the war. Not our finest hour. #NeverForget @loucityfc @IndyEleven @NWSL pic.twitter.com/VHpIQf2wlY
— Louisville Heretics (@LouHeretics) August 27, 2019
Johnny “Albatross” O’Rourke bagged 4 goals in the 1860 iteration of #LIPAFC which is why a 4 goal performance is referred to as an Albatross. Johnny passed in the 1863 Battle of Dog Hill, so we must continue to remember his service and his striking. Here’s to you Johnny! pic.twitter.com/El6vnDFa5q
— Brad Estes (@brad_estes) October 19, 2018
#LIPAFC: What will Friday’s match add to the history books?
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) August 26, 2019
Why is LIPAFC so crucial in our community?
And how do you even say it?
Episode I: Proximity Breeds Rivalry https://t.co/lJYnKU7AgT
As we continue to look back at the history of the great Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest, we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the era where, through a series of miscommunications, matches were contested on a basketball court. #LIPAFC pic.twitter.com/687lAdxkN6
— Slaughterhouse-19 (@sh19indy) August 4, 2018
Pictured below is the only ever #LIPAFC split squad game in history. Happened after original game in early 1926 was rained out in Louisville. Both games ended in 1-0 for each team resulting in the o lot known overall 1-1 draw where both teams got 3 points. @LouCoopers @sh19indy pic.twitter.com/ULIUFJDK2l
— Patrick Blanton (@PattyIce3) October 17, 2018
In the early years of the #LIPAFC tailgating was non-existent. That is until Ulis McMinnick's chuckwagon broke down in front of the stadium. Instead of allowing the food to spoil waiting for the wheelwright, he prepared a meal for the arriving fans. pic.twitter.com/AVpZmKb4Pj
— Doug Scott (@tailgatedougie) August 28, 2019
1951: A 16 year old boy was so elated after a late shocker that gave Indy a 1- 0 #LIPAFC win, he ran onto the pitch, grabbed a corner flag, and sang with unadulterated joy. Rather unfairly, he recorded the songs as "chants" which won the contest.
— ⭐Groove Machine⭐ (@GrooveMachine) November 6, 2019
As they say, the rest is history pic.twitter.com/AIjvw9TzmY
#LIPAFC Fun Fact:
— Brickyard Battalion (@The_BYB) August 27, 2019
This rivalry dates back well into prehistoric times, where as seen in cave drawings. Indigenous people far and wide came to witness. Even the wildlife were in attendance.
Other cave drawings suggest that participants and spectators alike were mauled by bears. pic.twitter.com/h2k2wHqvz5
The 1902 edition of the #LIPAFC was the only time the series was played outside Indianapolis or Louisville. The teams were asked to play the match in West Baden, IN in conjunction with the opening of the “Eighth Wonder of the World” The West Baden Springs Hotel. pic.twitter.com/yk8hbXOJm7
— adam_welp (@adam_welp) October 13, 2018
Fun #LIPAFC note: Abraham Lincoln is the only player to suit up for both Louisville and Indy.
— Kevin Kernen (@RedHairOnAir) October 13, 2018
He bounced between both youth academies before signing professionally with the Chicago Fire (then known as the Lanterns).
#LIPAFC fact:
— Martín Morado (@MarteenMorado) August 27, 2019
Sacagawea is credited with composing the "We love ya" chant, as she moved westward with a couple lads who had never been to a soccer game before. The lyrics "where you go, we'll follow, we'll follow" were true as they hiked the harsh terrain to get to the match. pic.twitter.com/keX6eUJ0eA
We're getting excited for Sunday by watching some great moments in Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest history. Had to dust off some VHS tapes and go into the way back machine for this moment, but what a great one it was. #LIPAFC #IndyForever pic.twitter.com/5seMUP2k5s
— Slaughterhouse-19 (@sh19indy) August 3, 2018