2023 Lexington SC season
2023 season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
File:2023 Toyota Stadium - LSC v. One Knox.jpg | ||||
President | Bill and Donna Shively
Stephen Dawahare Carter Carnegie | |||
Manager | Sam Stockley and Nacho Novo (interim) | |||
Stadium | Toyota Stadium Georgetown, Kentucky | |||
USL Championship | 9th | |||
USL1 playoffs | Did not qualify | |||
U.S. Open Cup | Round 2 | |||
Top goalscorer | Ates Diouf (15) | |||
Highest home attendance | 3,029 (04/08 vs. Forward Madison FC) | |||
Lowest home attendance | 1,911 (9/17 vs. Charlotte Independence) | |||
Average home league attendance | 2232 | |||
Biggest win | LSC 3–0 OMA (7/22) | |||
Biggest defeat | TOR 5–1 LSC (7/02) | |||
| ||||
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
Competitions
Preseason
Lexington SC played five preseason exhibition matches in preparation of their first season.[31]
February 11, 2023 | 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 | 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 | Georgetown Tigers | 1–2 | Lexington SC | Lexington, Kentucky |
12:00 pm EST | Not reported by team | Report |
|
Stadium: Pat Deacon Stadium |
March 4, 2023 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | 1–1 | Lexington SC | East Ridge, Tennessee |
4:30 pm EST | Trialist File:Soccerball shade.svg 1st half' | Report |
|
Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium |
March 11, 2023 | Kentucky Wildcats | 3–2 | Lexington SC | Lexington, Kentucky |
3:00 pm EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex |
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 |
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
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches
March 18, 2023 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 |
April 1, 2023 2 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Lexington SC | Seaside, California |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 1,423 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
April 8, 2023 3 | Lexington SC | 0–0 | Forward Madison FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 3,029 Referee: John Matto |
April 15, 2023 4 | Lexington SC | 2–1 | Tormenta FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,621 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
April 22, 2023 5 | Lexington SC | 0–2 | Greenville Triumph SC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,260 Referee: Alex Beehler |
April 29, 2023 6 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | 3–1 | Lexington SC | East Ridge, Tennessee |
7:30 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: CHI Memorial Stadium Attendance: 2,388 Referee: Austin Saini |
May 13, 2023 7 | Lexington SC | 1–0 | Charlotte Independence | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2.288 Referee: Fevzi Demirhan |
May 20, 2023 8 | Richmond Kickers | 2–1 | Lexington SC | Richmond, Virginia |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: City Stadium (Richmond) Attendance: 5,252 Referee: Adam Brzozowiec |
May 27, 2023 9 | Lexington SC | 1–1 | One Knoxville SC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,282 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
June 3, 2023 10 | Lexington SC | 2–2 | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,302 Referee: Donovan Eubank |
June 10, 2023 11 | Tormenta FC | 1–1 | Lexington SC | Statesboro, Georgia |
7:30 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Tormenta Stadium Referee: 1,361 |
Note: Edgar Garcia |
June 14, 2023 12 | Lexington SC | 2–0 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 1,986 Referee: Kevin Fikar |
June 18, 2023 13 | North Carolina FC | 2-2 | Lexington SC | Cary, North Carolina |
3:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 1,682 Referee: Cristian Campo |
June 22, 2023 14 | Forward Madison FC | 3–2 | Lexington SC | Madison, Wisconsin |
8:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: Breese Stevens Field Attendance: 4,572 Referee: José Carlos Rivero |
July 2, 2023 15 | Lexington SC | 1–5 | Tormenta FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,029 Referee: Michael O'Reilly |
July 9, 2023 16 | Charlotte Independence | 2-1 | Lexington SC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: American Legion Memorial Stadium Attendance: 1,376 Referee: Donovan Eubank |
July 15, 2023 17 | Central Valley Fuego FC | 2-1 | Lexington SC | Fresno, California |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Fresno State Soccer Stadium Attendance: 370 Referee: Dion Coxe-Trieger |
July 22, 2023 18 | Lexington SC | 3–0 | Union Omaha | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,178 Referee: Benjamin Meyer |
July 29, 2023 19 | Lexington SC | 2–2 | Richmond Kickers | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,105 Referee: Drew Klemp |
August 2, 2023 20 | Union Omaha | 2-0 | Lexington SC | Papillion, Nebraska |
8:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Werner Park Attendance: 3,524 Referee: Gloria Martinez |
August 5, 2023 21 | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC | 3-4 | Lexington SC | Windsor, Colorado |
9:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Future Legends Complex Attendance: 1,716 Referee: Gabriele Ciampi |
August 12, 2023 22 | Lexington SC | 3–2 | Central Valley Fuego FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST | Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,210 Referee: Joe Surgan |
August 18, 2023 23 | One Knoxville SC | 1-0 | Lexington SC | Knoxville, Tennessee |
7:30 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Regal Stadium Attendance: 2,522 Referee: Cristian Campo |
August 26, 2023 24 | Lexington SC | 1–0 | Richmond Kickers | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:55 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,145 Referee: Richonne Clark |
September 1, 2023 25 | Lexington SC | 1-1 | Greenville Triumph SC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,142 Referee: Gloria Martinez |
September 6, 2023 26 | Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC | 3-2 | Lexington SC | Windsor, Colorado |
9:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Future Legends Complex Attendance: 964 Referee: Mark Verso |
September 10, 2023 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 |
September 17, 2023 28 | Lexington SC | 2-2 | Charlotte Independence | Georgetown, Kentucky |
8:55 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 1,911 Referee: Joe Surgan | |
Note: First match with Nacho Novo as interim head coach |
September 23, 2023 29 | Lexington SC | 3–5 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report | Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,047 Referee: Amin Hadzic |
September 30, 2023 30 | Forward Madison FC | 2–2 | Lexington SC | Madison, Wisconsin |
6:00 PM EST | Report | Stadium: Breese Stevens Field Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Cristian Campo |
October 7, 2023 31 | Lexington SC | 0-1 | North Carolina FC | Georgetown, Kentucky |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Toyota Stadium (Kentucky) Attendance: 2,182 Referee: Richonne Clark |
October 14, 2023 32 | Greenville Triumph SC | 1-1 | Lexington SC | Greenville, South Carolina |
7:00 PM EST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Paladin Stadium Attendance: 3,672 Referee: Joe Surgan |
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.
April 5 2nd | Kentucky Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Lexington SC Kentucky | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 4,205 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
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
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ USLLeagueOne com Staff (March 22, 2022). "Lexington Sporting Club Reveal Brand Identity". USL League One. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ↑ "Sam Stockley selected as first ever head coach for Lexington Sporting Club senior team". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Rangers legend Nacho Novo named Lexington Sporting Club Assistant Coach". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club selects Connor Talbot as Head of Goalkeeping". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Stockley Turns Full Focus to Sporting Director Role as Lexington SC names Nacho Novo Interim Head Coach". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club signs first pro, inks former Wildcat Kaelon Fox". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Ates Diouf brings USL Championship experience to Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington adds veteran midfielder Charlie Machell to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Jamaican keeper Amal Knight signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Ohio native Tate Robertson lands on Lexington's inaugural season roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club adds striker Will Baynham to 2023 squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "USL League One champion Owen Green joins Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club adds Pierre Mané to USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington's own Kimball Jackson signs on to LSC's USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington SC signs Khalid Balogun to USL League One squad for 2023". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Homegrown talent Diallo Irakoze signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "New York native Franky Martinez signs with Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ↑ "South Africa's Phila Dlamini signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club inks Nico Brown to USL League One contract". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Midfielder Seo-in "Soso" Kim signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club adds forward Drew Patterson to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Former youth national team member Jalen James joins Lexington SC". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Erick Ceja Gonzalez joins Lexington SC for inaugural USL League One season". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Goalkeeper Austin Causey joins Lexington SC's inaugural season roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Veteran Don Smart signs with Lexington Sporting Club". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Terique Mohammed lands with Lexington SC for inaugural season". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club adds Cesar Murillo Jr. to USL League One roster". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Luke Phillips becomes Lexington SC's first ever USL Academy signing". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Lexington SC adds former FC Cincinnati Academy forward Joshua Head to USL League One squad". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ↑ "Preseason Central". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ↑ "2023 USL LEAGUE ONE SCHEDULE". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup parings set; Lexington SC draws LouCity". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 "2023 Stats". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved December 12, 2023.