LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A sellout crowd of 7,025 packed into Lynn Stadium on Thursday night for the 2018 USL Cup as fans of both Louisville City FC and Phoenix Rising FC provided an incredible backdrop to the final game of the eighth season in the league’s modern era.
While LouCity made history in becoming the first back-to-back USL Cup champion thanks to Luke Spencer’s goal in the 62nd minute, the energy provided by the home fans continued the outstanding support the club has seen over its first four seasons in the league.
“It was so awesome. It’s so energizing and it was the same way last year in the finals,” said Louisville captain Paolo DelPiccolo. "Even though there were a few more people at Slugger last year than this year, but they’re right on top of you and it created such a good atmosphere. I was talking to one of my buddies, too, who was watching the game and he said, ‘Your fans are smart. They’re educated’.
“They stand up. Even a casual fan would only celebrate a goal whereas when we get a switch or get on a break, you hear the energy in the stands lift. So that’s just credit to the fans and the community because they’re educated fans.”
Here are some of the sights and sounds from the 2018 USL Cup.
Who else is excited to cheer @loucityfc in its second consecutive @USL Cup Finals! Let's show Louisville's support by wearing purple and gold on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/wbZes7twdf
— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) November 7, 2018
Best of luck to @PHXRisingFC and @azmenssoccer friends @RickSchantz1 and @SJDoerr. It’s Title Time boys. Hardware is coming home. #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/KgYfduCRYH
— Eric Rhodes (@RhodesAz) November 8, 2018
Good luck to everyone associated with @PHXRisingFC in The @USL Cup Final Tonight! Delighted to see the progress and achievements the club has made this season. Hoping for one more big win! Just don’t forget I started things off for you guys pic.twitter.com/QSzMotArVj
— Luke Rooney (@luke_rooney) November 8, 2018
Let’s go Rising #USLCup #UpRising #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/WFuaM9RddH
— Chris Brown (@SpursinAZ) November 8, 2018
We're proud to welcome @loucityfc to Lynn Stadium tonight as they look to bring home their second-straight #USLCup#ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/0n69QV36VM
— Louisville Men's Soccer (@UofLmenssoccer) November 8, 2018
Some sights from the @LouCoopers Tailgate.#LOUvPHX #USLCup #UpRising pic.twitter.com/Cb4QvChh6l
— Firebird Soccer (@firebirdsite) November 8, 2018
Crackin out the purple suit for the @loucityfc National Championship game tonight! Go Lou City! pic.twitter.com/vdTr3X0xgy
— Jonathan Pennington (@DrJTPennington) November 8, 2018
Getting ready to head to the stadium @loucityfc @wave3news pic.twitter.com/3LVF5uxW5G
— Taylor Durden (@Tdurdenwave3) November 9, 2018
Just 15 minutes away from kickoff! On the line - the @USL Cup! @loucityfc looking to finish the title defense tonight. @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/9pGFEGum8l
— Dennis J. Ting (@DennisJTing) November 9, 2018
And some shots of the @PHXRisingFC side. A ton of fans made the trip. pic.twitter.com/ToqOVCWRQs
— Justin Sayers (@_JustinSayers) November 9, 2018
26 minutes before kickoff. Now do you understand why you need to come to @loucityfc matches? pic.twitter.com/3wXS3V2Cjd
— Brad Estes (@brad_estes) November 9, 2018
One of the best tifos you’ll see. #USLCup pic.twitter.com/XW9esJen9P
— Ben Goshorn (@TheSoccerGoose) November 9, 2018
Well he didn't get to walk out with a @loucityfc player like he really hoped, but he DID get his day made by getting to see his favorite @MarkThEwizz !!! pic.twitter.com/sQujWjZESs
— Brianna Roby (@MorningBell4) November 9, 2018
Let's get it City @loucityfc #USLCup pic.twitter.com/HP5a93jk5e
— Wic (@Soft7Wic) November 9, 2018
.@gregxorio at the ready!
— USL (@USL) November 9, 2018
The @loucityfc keeper gets a hand to @reggae_j11's shot just in time!#LOUvPHX | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/d5vU4maIoJ
At the @PHXRisingFC Watch Party for #USLChampionship game. 0-0 but they look good pic.twitter.com/GATW5DohaB
— Scott Somers (@ScottCSomers) November 9, 2018
LUUUUUUKEEEEEE!!!!
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) November 9, 2018
1-0 | #LOUvPHX pic.twitter.com/RtCPuOUlAQ
.@loucityfc just tossed @hackworthsoccer in the air. pic.twitter.com/rPX4vHBI6m
— Justin Sayers (@_JustinSayers) November 9, 2018
Staying on the pitch to honor the champs. Congratulations @loucityfc. Let’s do it again next season. #UpRising pic.twitter.com/548Sqw6cov
— (x)-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) November 9, 2018
C H A M P I O N S.#USLCup | @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/3pl5S4k4ds
— USL (@USL) November 9, 2018
So hard to win a championship yet alone go back to back. Congrats @loucityfc
— Chandler Hoffman (@chandala) November 9, 2018
Purple Haze at the final whistle, 2 in a row for @loucityfc! #USLCup pic.twitter.com/IxqFECsOZT
— (@schram) November 9, 2018
Now THAT is how you celebrate a repeat!
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) November 9, 2018
Enjoy, @loucityfc#LOUvPHX | #USLCup pic.twitter.com/25NHcZknOe
That feeling when you know @loucityfc just got that #doubleshot #USLChamps #Back2Back #LOUvPHX pic.twitter.com/gNTpoGVzgE
— Todd Lanham (@todd_lanham) November 9, 2018
I had so much fun tonight watching @loucityfc win back-to-back USL Cup titles! It was so incredibly fitting that Luke Spencer scored the winning goal. Way to go, lads! @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/EjAEKf0z2C
— Whitney Harding (@WHAS11Whitney) November 9, 2018
It's a good time to be @loucityfc! pic.twitter.com/sP8iSDGAP2
— USL (@USL) November 9, 2018
Thank you to our @PHXRisingFC boys. To the players, coaching staff, officials 3 staff and owners......thank you for an amazing season.
— John McPherson(@johnmcp66) November 9, 2018
Let's do this, again, next season....and this time we host the final.
#UpRising pic.twitter.com/Z2W0cGawiE
@loucityfc, the mark of true game managers. Didnt get their way in the first half. Hit reset, played by their own rules in the 2nd. Fantastic performance, amazing season. Well deserved. The champs reign supreme. 1 nil over @PHXRisingFC
— Devon Kerr (@DevonKerr9) November 9, 2018
In the #2018 @USL #USLCup final. pic.twitter.com/lv2FJ3mdIU
Since I might not get to say it in person tonight.
— Anthony Leanhart (@Leanhart) November 8, 2018
You the man @gregxorio
And for the rest of the @loucityfc team pic.twitter.com/IHpOs5WEII
Quick shoutout to .@DylanTerry09 and .@loucityfc on their second consecutive USL Finals tonight! Get in! Go City! pic.twitter.com/kJH5yeiHoU
— Paige Hagan (@Paige14News) November 8, 2018
#USLCup Final: Destiny Arrives@loucityfc vs @PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/xWpjQWeAxh
— Matthew Rafferty (@Raff_Out_Loud) November 8, 2018
Last day of the season with these boys. Made it this far, now we're focused on bringing the @USL Cup back to Phoenix with us! @PHXRisingFC #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/TLSg84v1AP
— Carl Woszczynski (@cwoz1) November 8, 2018
Not long now #USLCup pic.twitter.com/pDj3nTfLkW
— Matt Fischer (@MFischer421) November 8, 2018
TODAY IS THE DAY! Our boys in purple take the field at 8pm to defend their championship. We have $2 pints and $5 growler fills of @loucityfc Golden Ale and in case you don’t have a ticket, we’ll be showing the game on the big screen! Let’s bring it home. pic.twitter.com/9PMTDFuBRT
— Falls City Beer (@fallscitybeer) November 8, 2018
Gates are open for @PHXRisingFC’s free USL Cup watch party! pic.twitter.com/1urAGs8zxM
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) November 9, 2018
The @loucityfc fans are ready!!! @WLKY pic.twitter.com/r2DFxexmn2
— Andrew Chernoff (@ADChernoff) November 9, 2018
Also, @loucityfc got fans, man. They stormed in in a crusade-like fashion @sportscronkite pic.twitter.com/UUoQBgZQHk
— Ricardo Ávila (@TheRicardoAvila) November 9, 2018
Here we go!#ForTheCity #LouCity #Louisville #USLCup pic.twitter.com/lUywSVQv9l
— Coleman Coffey (@coffeycoly) November 9, 2018
We love you, City, We do! @ScousesHouse @KennyAlward @loucityfc @hackworthsoccer pic.twitter.com/vnA4fU6j8O
— Shannon Alward (@ladyjane827) November 9, 2018
Impressive traveling support for @PHXRisingFC here in Louisville #USLCup pic.twitter.com/RUhPVV2Htk
— Jordan Gardner (@mrjordangardner) November 9, 2018
If you aren’t here you’re missing out! Great turnout for @PHXRisingFC fans to watch the @USL championship match! pic.twitter.com/ovOJUg7VBC
— Kelsi Darr (@kels174) November 9, 2018
With holding the belt comes great responsibility. #USLCup #LOUvPHX pic.twitter.com/rwxwbC6BDr
— Martín [El Pavo SZN] Morado (@Vehement_Cruz) November 9, 2018
Thanks to @loucityfc for honoring us as State Champions tonight at halftime of their game! pic.twitter.com/oFzN5AQS09
— Sacred Heart Sports (@sha_sports) November 9, 2018
There it is.
— The Coopers (@LouCoopers) November 9, 2018
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!
1-0 #LOUvPHX #USLCup
A set piece and @luke_spenc do the trick!@loucityfc are ahead in the 2018 #USLCup!#LOUvPHX | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/6aL72B8fY4
— USL (@USL) November 9, 2018
Back to Back @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/FcugOFIcRG
— Howie Lindsey (@howielindsey) November 9, 2018
First ever back-to-back #USLCup champions. A complete game from @loucityfc saw Drogba lose his last professional match. Final Lou 1-0 Phx #USLCupFinal #LOUvPHX pic.twitter.com/kxvmk5nGsu
— Richard Rainwater (@da_safety_guy) November 9, 2018
MAKE IT TWO #USLCup pic.twitter.com/nzvr3zXoQk
— Dan Klapheke (@danielklapheke) November 9, 2018
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! @loucityfc #LOUvPHX #USLCup pic.twitter.com/T2xUzXZpkT
— Julia Rollinson (@JPriceR20) November 9, 2018
#ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/2B3AspzGCQ
— Coleman Coffey (@coffeycoly) November 9, 2018
Congratulations @loucityfc on winning back to back #USL Championships. Amazing achievement pic.twitter.com/3hxCsqCl1s
— Jake Edwards (@EdwardsUSL) November 9, 2018
Even better the second time! #USLCup @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/b3rdyoDM0B
— Zach Allen-Kelly (@ZachWAllen) November 9, 2018
The boys in purple did it again! 2018 @USL Champions! @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/O05wugf2Ot
— Andrea S Clifford (@asclifford) November 9, 2018
2 Valencia's and 2 fans of our Louisville City Football Club and back to back!!#USLCup #LOUvPHX #USLCupFinal pic.twitter.com/ClwhsDX4mK
— Martín [El Pavo SZN] Morado (@Vehement_Cruz) November 9, 2018
Congrats to @hackworthsoccer and his team @loucityfc for holding on to their 1-0 lead against the very talented @PHXRisingFC to win yet another @USL trophy! #BackToBackChamps https://t.co/GYGRYS1T2H
— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) November 9, 2018
@PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/rq6OMU4BlL
— Emily Rogawski (@EmilyRogawski) November 9, 2018
Best of luck to @LouCityFC and @PHXRisingFC in tonight's @USL Cup! https://t.co/sP2UbggJAU
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) November 8, 2018
6 hours to the playoff final! Excited and hope @PHXRisingFC brings the cup home pic.twitter.com/aTQ0LOqp6O
— Wissam Melhem (@wissmel) November 8, 2018
Game day baby!! Tonight we defend the cup!!!
— Sean Totsch (@Tophcity) November 8, 2018
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8et espn 2 #uslcup #usl pic.twitter.com/FQsJLqQA55
Definitely did not expect all of this when I got home from work today. A @PHXRisingFC theme!! I love you @akieluz_ Here's to 27!! pic.twitter.com/cZUS0YvcW5
— WS Champs (119-57) (@yoitsal) November 8, 2018
There are no odds, nor are there favorites in football. There is only the belief in each other. If you have a dream, believe in it. Vamos @phxrisingfc #LaBandaDePhoenix pic.twitter.com/nDVyDr6WSu
— Los Bandidos (@BandidosPHX) November 8, 2018
More than an hour until kick for tonight’s USL Cup final between @loucityfc and @PHXRisingFC. pic.twitter.com/gI24ifEio2
— Justin Sayers (@_JustinSayers) November 8, 2018
We here! @PHXRisingFC waiting… #USLCupFinal pic.twitter.com/Gfz8eg6k9C
— N8 (@nathanielhyatt) November 8, 2018
My fourth USL Cup Final. How the time flies.@loucityfc and @PHXRisingFC with @DevonKerr9 and @JSB_TV. pic.twitter.com/pd1tJsGeey
— Mike Watts (@MikeWattsOnAir) November 9, 2018
Vamos por la segunda - It’s game time!! Fútbl @loucityfc #loucityfc #futbol pic.twitter.com/R2MHtCAxQn
— Cat (@Cati_Ibarra) November 9, 2018
Dale Phoenix! #LOUvPHX #USLCup pic.twitter.com/EXhXBMP8Bw
— Anthony Evans (@antccfc) November 9, 2018
Go @loucityfc ! But...admiring Drogba for a second pre-match! ⚽️ #USLCup pic.twitter.com/MGtYMceREY
— Shannon McCracken (@cshannonmc) November 9, 2018
Lynn Stadium, you're looking good.#USLCup #LOUvPHX pic.twitter.com/l0irnnMCv6
— The Coopers (@LouCoopers) November 9, 2018
@MarkThEwizz in the house!!!! COME ON @loucityfc !! #USLCup pic.twitter.com/ca4qQjbaRF
— Matt_Browning #L1C4 (@matthew82787) November 9, 2018
@MenInBlazers patch at the .@USL Cup Final. Vamos .@PHXRisingFC ! pic.twitter.com/WgYICV6FNB
— David Rappaport (@iamrappaport) November 9, 2018
We've got a big, energized crowd here ready to see our team win a 2nd consecutive @USL Cup! Let's go @loucityfc! pic.twitter.com/iKYfh79w8s
— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) November 9, 2018
62' GOAL, LouCity! The corner kick is bounced around in the box and falls to Luke Spencer, who blasts it into the net. 1-0, LCFC. #USLCup
— Justin Sayers (@_JustinSayers) November 9, 2018
Luke Spencer game winner pic.twitter.com/HZ2mdIG6yI
— Daniel Pfalzgraf (@PfalzCity) November 9, 2018
Congratulations to @hackworthsoccer’s @loucityfc on winning the #USLCup. He and the Union weren’t the right match for each other at the time, but he’s a good man who has put in the hard work since then to earn this triumph.
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) November 9, 2018
Congrats to @PHXRisingFC on an excellent season. Lots of fun to watch & great foundation to go forward. Huge to @BandidosPHX & @RedFuryPHX for bringing the all season. On to the 2019 season #RisingAsOne #MLS2PHX #USLCup
— @mikemilzz) November 9, 2018
The411: We couldn't be there because were getting ready for a newscast but two if your biggest fans are watching. @loucityfc watch @WHAS11 for highlights! #back2back #USLCup pic.twitter.com/ebydvOWlKc
— Sherlene Shanklin (@Sherlenemediapr) November 9, 2018
Champs. #LouCity #USLCup pic.twitter.com/gRllzvRlJo
— Dr. Bees (@DocBees) November 9, 2018
@loucityfc champions once more #USLCup pic.twitter.com/qfHW160i1y
— Daniel Figueroa (@DanielFigueroaP) November 9, 2018
@BandidosPHX shows its fighting chant in honor of @PHXRisingFC #RISINGASONE #PhoenixRisingFC pic.twitter.com/OtjowPVPZC
— Ane Pulu (@akaFehiP) November 9, 2018
Can’t believe I got to witness this!! @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/95IAxCCsyd
— Shawn Raley (@shawnraley38) November 9, 2018
Congratulations @loucityfc for 2018 @USL Championship! Well done @PHXRisingFC for a great season. pic.twitter.com/PBdCgwtI8w
— Ersal Ozdemir (@ErsalOzdemir) November 9, 2018
Disappointing result tonight, but a great season. Team and fans have made clear that football can prosper in AZ. Congrats @loucityfc and thanks to many of their fans for the warm welcome. Rematch in Phx in 2019 anyone? #LOUvPHX #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/aYsDPybcoO
— Anthony Evans (@antccfc) November 9, 2018
#USLCup Champion @pacmangigi reflects on the history made on the field tonight by @loucityfc.
— USL (@USL) November 9, 2018
(With guest appearances from @hackworthsoccer and @Osaidj.) pic.twitter.com/BMWJSKfesZ
#USLCup pic.twitter.com/OaKS7QsMqN
— The Coopers (@LouCoopers) November 9, 2018