Match Preview: Loons have Open Cup work cut out for them with away showdown in Louisville

After a 3-0 thrashing of Austin FC last weekend in Texas the Loons return to the US Open Cup after a one year absence from the competition. Last season the Loons were replaced by their MLS Next Pro side MNUFC2 in the 2024 competition after a dispute between MLS and the USSF over participation in the cup. That dispute ended with only some MLS clubs participating and other sending their MLS Next Pro side. Last season the Twos took down Chicago House AC (MWPL) 3-0 away from home before falling to Michigan Stars (NISA) 2-0 in the second round.

Opponents for the Loons first Open Cup match in 2025 Louisville City (USLC) are sitting at 5-0-2 (17 points) and in 2nd place of the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference are on fire to start the 2025 campaign. The Boys in Purple have not lost in any competition so far this season and are 4-0-1 in their last five matches. 22 year old winger Ray Serrano has scored four goals across all competitions for LouCity. Goalkeeper Damian Las has led a stout defence who’s three clean sheets on the season, with the most recent coming last weekend against rival Lexington SC. The Loons will have their work cut out for them away from Allianz Field as Louisville has turned Lynn Family Stadium into a fortress with an all-time home record of 71-12-8 (.780 w%) and are 23-2-0 since beginning of 2024.

“[Louisville City FC is] a really good USL team. I’m not that familiar with the level and what the difference is between the MLS and USL,” said manager Eric Ramsey. “But from what I can see and what I hear, the guys that have been across both levels tell me this is going to be a really difficult game for us. So we want to make sure that the way in which we prepare and the players we choose reflects that, and also reflects the fact that we want to go through in the competition.”

News & Notes

Last weekend MNUFC broke a short three match winless skid with a dominating win over Austin FC away in Austin, TX. The clubs will meet again later this month on the 24th of May, when Austin FC visits Minnesota for their second and final showdown of 2025.

MNUFC2 acquired Momoh Kamara on loan from Mattia FC (Sierra Leone) for the remainder of 2025 with an option to buy at the end of the loan. Kamara will join the Twos upon receipt of his P-1 visa.

Louisville City manager Danny Cruz faces MNUFC for the first time as head coach. The 35 year old former NASL Loon is in his fifth season at the helm of LouCity. In 2016 during his one season in Minnesota, Cruz made 23 starts & 24 appearances for MNUFC.

Availability

MIN (as of 03-May) | Out: Hassani Dotson (knee), Owen Gene (ankle), Kipp Keller (leg) ; Questionable: Kelvin Yeboah (ankle)

LOU | Not Available

Staff Predictions

Ashle Paige: 1–0 Louisville City

Seth Steffengahen: 3–1 Loons in extra time

Michael Lake: *rolls dice* 2-1 Loons

Tim McLaughlin: 3–0 Loons

Bridget McDowell: 3-2 Looms … Or loons or whatever

MJ: 1–0 Loons