Special Olympics Kentucky, Louisville City FC and the LouCity & Racing Foundation are combining to start the region’s first Unified soccer team, expanding each entity’s commitment to inclusion and community impact. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony on May 16 at the Lynn Family Sports Vision and Training Center.

Members of the team – which includes 12 Special Olympics athletes and nine Unified Partners – signed commitment forms and received a Louisville City FC shirt and scarf with full uniforms on the way. The team will play under the official LouCity crest.

The announcement was the culmination of years of work between Special Olympics Kentucky and Louisville City FC and the LouCity and Racing Foundation, and both groups were excited to be able to make this team a reality.

See the Louisville City FC Unified Team roster

“We are beyond excited for this groundbreaking opportunity for our athletes and our soccer program,” said Karen Michalak-Parsley, Special Olympics Kentucky’s senior director of Unified Champion Schools. “Unified Sports teams represent inclusion in our community. Having individuals without intellectual disabilities play as teammates with Special Olympics athletes sends a message that everyone belongs.

“A unified team representing a professional sport organization only makes the message that much more powerful. It is a huge step in showcasing the talents of our athletes and expanding opportunities for players seeking new challenges.

“Louisville City FC has supported Special Olympics Kentucky in various ways for over five years. Having an organization of their caliber believe in this team and what it represents means so much to us. I have no doubt the team will reach new heights and inspire others to ‘play unified.’ ”

“We’re excited to give these players an opportunity to experience soccer and all the benefits that come from playing the game,” said George Davis IV, executive director of the LouCity & Racing Foundation. “We’ll see relationships, teamwork and lessons learned all in LouCity purple.

“This game is for everybody — whether you have a disability, you’re an elite athlete, or you just like to get out and kick around. The more access we can create, the more joy that will be had.”

LouCity is the latest club within the United Soccer League ecosystem to start a Unified team following in the footsteps of organizations such as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Sacramento Republic FC and Union Omaha.

Longtime SOKY soccer volunteer Matt McGoron will coach the team. He will be assisted by Jeremy Mercer, who will compete as part of Team Kentucky’s Unified Basketball team at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. SOKY Athlete Ambassador Hayden Redmon will serve as the team manager.

See photos from the Signing Ceremony

They will practice for the next three months to prepare for their first match, which will be on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Lynn Family Stadium against Union Omaha. The Unified match will be followed later in the day by a Louisville City First Team match against Detroit City FC.

For more information about the Louisville City FC Unified Soccer Team contact Karen Michalak-Parsley at 502-326-5002 or kparsley@soky.org.