As a longtime fan of everything good in Louisville, it was inevitable.
Only 10 years after the Lou City soccer franchise was created and four years after the ultra modern Lynn Family Stadium becomes a reality, the Observer finally makes it out to a professional soccer game in Louisville. Arriving a couple of hours early and sticking around until the final horn, an enjoyable experience from beginning to end. This venue should be high on the list for every Louisville sports fan.
Apologizing to himself for not making it sooner, but the multiple schedules of University of
Louisville athletics do keep the Observer busy. The name on this stadium is another big reason to thank Mark Lynn and his wife Cindy once again for investing in the community. The stadium is a remarkable, handsome addition to a part of town that badly needed an attraction.
This was, in fact, the second major investment in soccer for the Lynns who, in 2013, got involved in making the Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium a reality with a $5 million gift for the University of Louisville soccer program. It was described as the Taj Mahal of college soccer stadiums at the time and the 5,300-seat stadium is still one of the best college facilities in the nation.
The Lynn family went on to purchase naming rights for the newer stadium in the Butchertown area. It is home for the Lou City franchise in the men’s United Soccer League and for the Racing Louisville franchise in the major league National Women’s Soccer League.
Upon entering the facility, one is immediately impressed by the ambiance of the stadium with a capacity of 11,600, including 18 luxury suites, premium seating amenities like club and loge seats, ledge tables and a large safe-standing supporter section. First class in every respect, with a wide range of amenities, including a great offering of stadium foods and a well-stocked store with items for both Lou City and Racing Louisville. Plenty of elbow room in the seats, spacious and uncluttered corridors. Places to relax, well-functioning wireless systems, including convenient locations to charge cell phones.
For a medium-sized city like Louisville Metro, the Observer is always amazed to see so many different faces at some events. For someone who has been attending sporting events here for more than 50 years, it never fails that one could go for two or three hours without recognizing a single person. This happens at other events as well for the Observer who has been active in many phases of Louisville life. Not strange but worth noting.
But the bigger point is that this is an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 9,000 people this night, tightly focused on every play, every pass, ever miscue, every wide right or wide left. They love the game, they love their team. Lou City will defeat the Orange 3-0 in an almost flawless performance. At last check, the local lads were 8-1 this season. The Racing Louisville women are 2-6-2 on the season.
Proud to have finally made it, determined not to wait so long for a Racing Louisville event. This is a special place and Louisvillians can be very proud.
