2023 Lexington SC season

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Lexington SC
2023 season
File:2023 Toyota Stadium - LSC v. One Knox.jpg
2023 Toyota Stadium - LSC v. One Knox
PresidentBill and Donna Shively

Stephen Dawahare

Carter Carnegie
ManagerSam Stockley and Nacho Novo (interim)
StadiumToyota Stadium
Georgetown, Kentucky
USL Championship9th
USL1 playoffsDid not qualify
U.S. Open CupRound 2
Top goalscorerAtes Diouf (15)
Highest home attendance3,029 (04/08 vs. Forward Madison FC)
Lowest home attendance1,911 (9/17 vs. Charlotte Independence)
Average home league attendance2232
Biggest winLSC 3–0 OMA (7/22)
Biggest defeatTOR 5–1 LSC (7/02)
2024 →

The 2023 Lexington SC season was the club's first season since their establishment on October 5, 2021.[1] The club made its league debut in the USL League One as well as its domestic cup debut in the U.S. Open Cup.

Background

On October 5, 2021, the United Soccer League announced that Tower Hill Sports had been granted a USL League One expansion team in Lexington to start play in the 2023 season.[1] Tentatively named "Lexington Pro Soccer," the team revealed its official colors, crest, and branding as Lexington Sporting Club on March 22, 2022.[2] The club named Sporting Director Sam Stockley as the club's first ever head coach on October 13, 2022.[3] Following this announcement, the team announced that Warren Goodhind would be joining the coaching staff as the First Assistant Coach on October 18, 2022. On November 15, the team announced that Rangers F.C. legend Nacho Novo would be joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach and head coach of the U-23 squad.[4] Connor Talbot was appointed the Head of Goalkeeping and the goalkeeping coach for the squad in September 2022.[5]

Coaching Change

In the afternoon of September 17, before their matchup against the Charlotte Independence, the club announced that head coach Sam Stockley would be stepping down from his role to focus on being the club's sporting director full-time. Nacho Novo was promoted to interim manager for the remaining 5 matches. The club's president Vince Gabbert, was quoted as saying the following about the move -

“With our youth academy continuing to grow and permanent facilities coming to fruition, the Sporting Director role will require Sam’s full attention for the long-term success of this club,” Gabbert said. “Our original plan was for Sam’s dual role as Head Coach and Sporting Director to be short-term. Sam has been an integral part of the formation of Lexington SC and one of its centerpieces since the beginning. We can’t thank him enough for putting this club on the path to success.”[6]

Season squad

Squad No. Name Nationality Date of birth (age)
Goalkeepers
1 Austin Causey United States Aug 20, 2001 (21)
13 Amal Knight Jamaica Nov 19, 1993 (29)
44 Luke Phillips^ United States Oct 25, 2006 (16)
Defenders
2 Tate Robertson United States May 31, 1997 (26)
3 Owen Green England Sep 9, 1998 (24)
4 Kimball Jackson United States Aug 2, 2004 (18)
5 Kaelon Fox United States May 31, 1995 (28)
17 Erick Ceja-Gonzalez United States Sep 1, 2001 (21)
20 Diallo Irakoze Tanzania Feb 10, 2001 (22)
26 Cesar Murillo United States Feb 16, 1996 (27)
33 Franky Martinez United States Aug 9, 1995 (27)
57 Terique Mohammed Canada Jan 27, 2000 (23)
Midfielders
8 Charlie Machell (C) England Oct 25, 1994 (28)
10 Don Smart Jamaica Dec 2, 1987 (35)
11 Seo-In Kim "SoSo" South Korea Apr 18, 1995 (28)
22 Phila Dlamini South Africa Feb 26, 1999 (24)
25 Pierre Mané Senegal Jun 16, 1998 (25)
32 Ates Diouf Senegal Mar 24, 2000 (23)
Forwards
7 Jalen James United States May 10, 2000 (23)
9 Will Baynham Australia Jun 13, 1997 (26)
14 Khalid Balogun United States Jul 25, 1998 (24)
18 Drew Patterson United States Apr 20, 2001 (22)
77 Nico Brown Jamaica Aug 11, 1998 (24)
80 Josh Head United States Jan 6, 2004 (19)

^ - Lexington SC Academy Contract

Last updated: December 15, 2023.
Source: Lexington SC, League One stats

Transfers

In

Pos. Player Previous Club Details Date Source
DF United States Kaelon Fox United States FC Tucson Free Transfer January 9, 2023 [7]
MF Senegal Ates Diouf United States San Antonio FC Free Transfer January 10, 2023 [8]
MF England Charlie Machell United States FC Tucson Free Transfer January 10, 2023 [9]
GK Jamaica Amal Knight Jamaica Harbour View F.C. Free Transfer January 11, 2023 [10]
DF United States Tate Robertson United States Chattanooga FC Free Transfer January 12, 2023 [11]
FW Australia Will Baynham Scotland Queen's Park F.C. Free Transfer January 12, 2023 [12]
DF England Owen Green United States South Georgia Tormenta FC Free Transfer January 13, 2023 [13]
MF Senegal Pierre Mané United States Virginia Commonwealth Rams Free Transfer January 16, 2023 [14]
DF United States Kimball Jackson United States Xavier Musketeers Free Transfer January 17, 2023 [15]
FW United States Khalid Balogun United States Maryland Bobcats FC Free Transfer January 17, 2023 [16]
DF Tanzania Diallo Irakoze United States Lexington SC Academy Free Transfer January 18, 2023 [17]
DF United States Franky Martinez United States Chattanooga FC Free Transfer January 18, 2023 [18]
MF South Africa Phila Dlamini United States Saginaw Valley State Cardinals Free Transfer January 19, 2023 [19]
FW Jamaica Nico Brown United States Greenville Triumph SC Free Transfer January 20, 2023 [20]
MF South Korea Seo-In Kim "SoSo" United States Chicago House AC Free Transfer January 23, 2023 [21]
FW United States Drew Patterson United States Cal Poly Mustangs Free Transfer January 23, 2023 [22]
FW United States Jalen James United States Campbell Fighting Camels Free Transfer January 24, 2023 [23]
DF United States Erick Ceja-Gonzalez United States Reno United Free Transfer January 25, 2023 [24]
GK United States Austin Causey United States Richmond Kickers Free Transfer January 25, 2023 [25]
MF Jamaica Don Smart United States Greenville Triumph SC Free Transfer January 26, 2023 [26]
DF Canada Terique Mohammed Canada FC Edmonton Free Transfer January 27, 2023 [27]
DF United States Cesar Murillo United States Forward Madison FC Free Transfer March 15, 2023 [28]
GK United States Luke Phillips United States Lexington SC Academy Academy Contract March 28, 2023 [29]
FW United States Josh Head United States FC Cincinnati 2 Free Transfer August 29, 2023 [30]

Competitions

Preseason

Lexington SC played five preseason exhibition matches in preparation of their first season.[31]

February 11, 2023 (2023-02-11) Cumberlands Patriots 0–2 Lexington SC Williamsburg, Kentucky
EST Report
Stadium: UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex
Note: Match was played as 3 30-minute sessions
February 18, 2023 (2023-02-18) Columbus Crew 2 2–0 Lexington SC Columbus, Ohio
3:45 pm EST Not reported by team Report Stadium: Indoor Facility (unknown location)
February 26, 2023 (2023-02-26) Georgetown Tigers 1–2 Lexington SC Lexington, Kentucky
12:00 pm EST Not reported by team Report Stadium: Pat Deacon Stadium

USL League One

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Union Omaha (S) 32 19 5 8 61 41 +20 65 Qualification for the semi-finals
2 North Carolina FC (C) 32 19 7 6 58 39 +19 63
3 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 32 18 6 8 59 37 +22 62 Qualification for the play-offs
4 Charlotte Independence 32 13 9 10 50 42 +8 49
5 Greenville Triumph SC 32 13 10 9 45 40 +5 48
6 Forward Madison FC 32 11 11 10 38 40 −2 43
7 Tormenta FC 32 12 14 6 55 56 −1 42
8 One Knoxville SC 32 9 12 11 36 39 −3 38
9 Lexington SC 32 7 14 11 46 57 −11 32
10 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 32 8 17 7 46 65 −19 31
11 Richmond Kickers 32 6 15 11 42 55 −13 29
12 Central Valley Fuego FC 32 6 21 5 36 61 −25 23
Source: USL League One
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 6) disciplinary points; 7) drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (S) Players' Shield winner
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
32 7 11 14 46 57  −11 32 6 6 4 24 24  0 1 5 10 22 33  −11

Source: Match reports

Results by round

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132
StadiumHAHHHAHAHHAHAAHAAHHAAHAHHAAHHAHA
ResultLLDWLLWLDDDWDLLLLWDLWWLWDLDDLDLD
Position91012111010111111101111119101010101010101010109101099999
Updated to match(es) played on December 6, 2023. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

March 18, 2023 (2023-03-18) 1 One Knoxville SC 2–1 Lexington SC Knoxville, Tennessee
7:00 PM EST Report Stadium: Regal Stadium
Attendance: 2,512
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
Note: Kickoff was delayed 30 minutes due to an issue with the stadium flood lights
August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18) 23 One Knoxville SC 1-0 Lexington SC Knoxville, Tennessee
7:30 PM EST Report Stadium: Regal Stadium
Attendance: 2,522
Referee: Cristian Campo
September 10, 2023 (2023-09-10) 27 Central Valley Fuego FC 2–2 Lexington SC Fresno, California
10:30 PM EST Report Stadium: Fresno State Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 629
Referee: Corbyn May
Note: Sam Stockley's last match before stepping down to be full time Sporting Director

[32]

U.S. Open Cup

As a member of the USL League One, Lexington SC entered their first-ever Open Cup tournament in the 2nd round, with their Cup opener played on April 5, 2023. They opened the competition against USL Championship powerhouse Louisville City FC. The match was the first competitive match against a fellow professional club from the state of Kentucky for both teams.[33] Fans of both sides named the in-state matchup "El Bluegrassico" inspired by soccer derbies from around the world.

Player statistics

Goals

Place[34] Pos. No. Name USL1 USOC Total
1 MF 32 Senegal Ates Diouf 15 0 15
2 FW 77 Jamaica Nico Brown 8 0 8
3 MF 10 Jamaica Don Smart 6 0 6
4 DF 2 United States Tate Robertson 4 0 4
4 FW 14 United States Khalid Balogun 4 0 4
6 DF 3 England Owen Green 1 0 1
6 MF 22 South Africa Phila Dlamini 1 0 1
6 MF 25 Senegal Pierre Mané 1 0 1
6 FW 9 Australia Will Baynham 1 0 1
6 MF 11 United States Seo-In Kim "SoSo" 1 0 1
6 DF 4 United States Kimball Jackson 1 0 1
Total 43 0 43

Assists

Place[34] Pos. No. Name USL1 USOC Total
1 DF 2 United States Tate Robertson 8 0 8
2 MF 8 England Charlie Machell 3 0 3
3 DF 57 Canada Terique Mohammed 3 0 3
3 FW 14 United States Khalid Balogun 2 0 2
3 MF 22 South Africa Phila Dlamini 2 0 2
5 DF 3 England Owen Green 1 0 1
5 MF 32 Senegal Ates Diouf 1 0 1
5 FW 77 Jamaica Nico Brown 1 0 1
5 DF 26 United States Cesar Murillo 1 0 1
5 FW 7 United States Jalen James 1 0 1
Total 23 0 23

Clean sheets

Place[34] Pos. No. Name USL1 USOC Total
1 GK 13 Jamaica Amal Knight 4 0 4
2 GK 1 United States Austin Causey 1 0 1
Total 5 0 5

Disciplinary

No.[34] Pos. Name USL U.S. Open Cup Total
Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
5 DF United States Kaelon Fox 6 1 0 0 6 1
32 MF Senegal Ates Diouf 9 0 0 0 9 0
8 MF England Charlie Machell 8 0 0 0 8 0
13 GK Jamaica Amal Knight 3 0 0 0 3 0
2 DF United States Tate Robertson 6 0 1 0 7 0
9 ST Australia Will Baynham 1 0 0 0 1 0
3 FW England Owen Green 10 0 0 0 10 0
25 MF Senegal Pierre Mané 4 1 0 0 4 1
4 DF United States Kimball Jackson 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 FW United States Khalid Balogun 11 0 0 0 11 0
20 DF Tanzania Diallo Irakoze 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 MF South Africa Phila Dlamini 6 0 1 0 7 0
77 FW Jamaica Nico Brown 8 0 0 0 8 0
11 MF South Korea Seo-In Kim "SoSo" 3 0 0 0 3 0
18 FW United States Drew Patterson 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 FW United States Jalen James 1 0 1 0 2 0
17 DF United States Erick Ceja-Gonzalez 4 0 0 0 4 0
1 GK United States Austin Causey 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 MF Jamaica Don Smart 4 1 0 0 4 1
57 DF Canada Terique Mohammed 8 1 1 0 9 1
26 DF United States Cesar Murillo 1 1 0 0 1 1
33 DF United States Franky Martinez 1 0 0 0 1 0
44 GK United States Luke Phillips 0 0 0 0 0 0
80 FW United States Josh Head 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 95 5 4 0 100 5

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 USLLeagueOne com Staff (October 5, 2021). "United Soccer League Welcomes Lexington Pro Soccer as League One Expansion Club". USL League One. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  2. USLLeagueOne com Staff (March 22, 2022). "Lexington Sporting Club Reveal Brand Identity". USL League One. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  3. "Sam Stockley selected as first ever head coach for Lexington Sporting Club senior team". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  4. "Rangers legend Nacho Novo named Lexington Sporting Club Assistant Coach". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  5. "Lexington Sporting Club selects Connor Talbot as Head of Goalkeeping". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  6. "Stockley Turns Full Focus to Sporting Director Role as Lexington SC names Nacho Novo Interim Head Coach". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  7. "Lexington Sporting Club signs first pro, inks former Wildcat Kaelon Fox". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  8. "Ates Diouf brings USL Championship experience to Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  9. "Lexington adds veteran midfielder Charlie Machell to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  10. "Jamaican keeper Amal Knight signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  11. "Ohio native Tate Robertson lands on Lexington's inaugural season roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  12. "Lexington Sporting Club adds striker Will Baynham to 2023 squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  13. "USL League One champion Owen Green joins Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  14. "Lexington Sporting Club adds Pierre Mané to USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  15. "Lexington's own Kimball Jackson signs on to LSC's USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  16. "Lexington SC signs Khalid Balogun to USL League One squad for 2023". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  17. "Homegrown talent Diallo Irakoze signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  18. "New York native Franky Martinez signs with Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  19. "South Africa's Phila Dlamini signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  20. "Lexington Sporting Club inks Nico Brown to USL League One contract". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  21. "Midfielder Seo-in "Soso" Kim signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  22. "Lexington Sporting Club adds forward Drew Patterson to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  23. "Former youth national team member Jalen James joins Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  24. "Erick Ceja Gonzalez joins Lexington SC for inaugural USL League One season". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  25. "Goalkeeper Austin Causey joins Lexington SC's inaugural season roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  26. "Veteran Don Smart signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  27. "Terique Mohammed lands with Lexington SC for inaugural season". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  28. "Lexington Sporting Club adds Cesar Murillo Jr. to USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  29. "Luke Phillips becomes Lexington SC's first ever USL Academy signing". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  30. "Lexington SC adds former FC Cincinnati Academy forward Joshua Head to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  31. "Preseason Central". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  32. "2023 USL LEAGUE ONE SCHEDULE". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  33. "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup parings set; Lexington SC draws LouCity". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 "2023 Stats". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.