LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC capitalized on a second-half red card that reduced Memphis 901 FC to 10 men just before the hour mark as they reeled off three goals in the next 13 minutes to earn a 3-0 victory before a crowd of 12,115 fans on the first fully-open night at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday night.

The contest opened evenly with Memphis looking to sit in defensively, but it was the hosts that created the first real look at goal in the 14th minute as a turnover allowed Michael Salazar to move into the right side of the penalty area and flash a low effort through the six-yard area from a narrow position and wide of the far post. Louisville went close five minutes later as Paolo DelPiccolo curled a shot just wide of the left post from 25 yards, and LouCity’s captain went close again in the 21st minute with a first-time strike that went wide right after a cushioned pass by Kyle Greig set up a first-time strike.

The hosts got another chance a few minutes later as Brian Ownby broke forward into the right side of the penalty area, but after cutting inside to create space his shot was too close to Memphis goalkeeper John Berner. The 901 FC shot-stopper was called on again as Louisville began to take more control around the half-hour mark as Antoine Hoppenot got a clean look at goal from just inside the penalty area, but the visitors almost grabbed the lead six minutes before the break on a quick attack upfield began by Berner that ended up with Kyle Murphy’s shot being saved by LouCity goalkeeper Chris Hubbard.

The game went to the break scoreless, but Louisville almost grabbed the lead three minutes into the second half as Sean Totsch’s flicked header at the near post off a corner from the left by Corben Bone hit the left upright and went behind for a goal kick. LouCity’s Tyler Gibson then tested Berner with a shot from 20 yards a couple of minutes later, but then the hosts went up a man as in the 57th minute Memphis’ Skylar Thomas was sent off after tussling with Greig for possession as the Louisville forward looked to move into the penalty area.

It took just a minute for LouCity to take advantage as from the ensuing free kick, DelPiccolo drove his initial effort into the defensive wall, but then shot into the penalty area where Wesley Charpie was able to redirect the ball into the right corner of the net. The hosts added a second in the 68th minute as Cameron Lancaster was brought down in the penalty area, and then converted from the spot with a low shot to the right corner.

Two minutes later the hosts made it three as Jonathan Gomez made a surging run down the left and into the penalty area before delivering a cross that deflected off Berner and looped high to the back post where Ownby was on hand to head home. From there, the hosts took their foot off the gas and consolidated their lead, seeing out victory comfortably before the first five-figure crowds in their new home’s history.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Wesley Charpie, Louisville City FC – Charpie scored the opening goal of the night while recording two shots overall off set pieces, and also completed 38 of 43 passes and won six duels.

Scoring Summary
LOU – Wesley Charpie (Paolo DelPiccolo) 58’
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Penalty Kick) 68’
LOU – Brian Ownby 70’

Full Box Score