LIPAFC
- Indy Eleven
- Louisville City
U.S. Open Cup
Indy Eleven 0–2 Louisville City
USL Championship
Louisville City 5–3 Indy Eleven
Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville City)
Cameron Lancaster (5)
Drawn: 6
Indy Eleven: 5
(October 20, 2018)
(April 6, 2024)
The Louisville–Indianapolis proximity association football contest (LIPAFC) (/lɪpəˈɛfsi/) is a rivalry between American professional soccer clubs Louisville City FC and the Indy Eleven.[1] Louisville City play their home games at the Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, while the Indy Eleven play their home games at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Overall, Louisville have won the most matches in the rivalry's history, having won 11 times to Indy's 5 with 6 draws (as of April 6, 2024). Louisville's record win was a 4–1 victory in the USL Playoffs at their former stadium, Slugger Field, on October 20, 2018.[2] Indy has several 1 goal wins with the last of which being a 2–1 victory at Carroll Stadium on August 21, 2022.[3]
History
Early matches
The Indy Eleven began play in 2014 as a member of the NASL while Louisville City began play in 2015 as part of the USL. As they were members of different leagues they didn't play regularly. Their first competitive match came in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 27, 2015. A match that Louisville City won at Carroll Stadium 0–2.[4] As the USL was officially a third-tier league at the time this was Louisville City's first victory over an opponent from a higher-tier league. Their second meeting was also third round U.S. Open Cup match at Carroll Stadium. A 2–1 victory for the Indy Eleven giving them their first win in the series.[5]
USL
With the NASL on the verge of financial collapse the Indy Eleven joined the USL in January 2018 making the Indy Eleven and Louisville City league rivals for the first time.[6] Both were placed in the USL's Eastern Conference where they remain to this day.[7] Their first league match took place on May 5, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium. A match the Indy Eleven won 1–0 after Ayoze García converted a penalty in the 78th-minute. Louisville City's first loss of the season.[8] This was the first of four matches during 2018 with second being a 2–2 draw at Slugger Field.[9] This began a ten-match unbeaten streak for Louisville. They would play one more match in the regular season before meeting in the USL Playoffs for the first time on October 20, 2018. Louisville City won this match 4–1 behind a Niall McCabe brace. The largest margin of victory in the rivalry to date.[2]
In 2019 the Indy Eleven and Louisville City played two 1–1 matches during the regular season and would again meet in the rebranded USL Championship Playoffs. This time the Eastern Conference final on November 9 at Carroll Stadium. The Indy Eleven came in on a 27 match home unbeaten streak and scored the opening 67th-minute off the foot of Tyler Pasher. Four minutes into stoppage time Antoine Hoppenot scored the tying goal sending the match in extra time. Four minutes into extra time Magnus Rasmussen put Louisville City ahead and a Luke Spencer in penalty in the 113th-minute lead to a final score line 1–3 as Louisville City advanced to the USL Championship Final.[10]
The next two seasons were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic causing the USL to modify its format. During both seasons the Eastern Conference was subdivided into multiple groups and divisions[11][12] with the Indy Eleven and Louisville City being placed in the same subdivision each year. During both years the clubs would play a record four regular season matches against each other. The Indy Eleven would fail to win a match against Louisville City until May 29, 2021. When a pair of Jordan Hamilton penalties at Lynn Family Stadium lead to a 1–2 Indy Eleven victory. The result ended a three-match winning streak and ten-match unbeaten run in the rivalry for Louisville City. On October 16, 2021, the Indy Eleven would earn a 1–0 at Carroll Stadium which began a 3 match unbeaten streak.[13]
Louisville City's 5–3 victory over Indy Eleven on April 6, 2024, was the first USL Championship match to be nationally broadcast on network TV through CBS.[14] The match is also the highest-scoring LIPAFC game to date, surpassing the 3–3 draw on June 26, 2021.[15]
Mythology
The name "LIPAFC", used in an unofficial capacity by the clubs' supporter groups, is a tongue-in-cheek parody of rivalries manufactured through geographic proximity as opposed to on-field action.[16] Satirical pseudohistorical stories color the rivalry, such as an 1865 match in which Indy Eleven played in infantry uniforms after returning from combat in the American Civil War, an 1868 match in which a Civil War veteran assaulted a referee with his prosthetic leg, and 1926 match which ended in a 36–35 penalty shootout.[17] Internet memes and In-jokes also bolster the satirical nature of the rivalry, such as Indy Eleven supporters opposing Kentucky Fried Chicken, and claiming Louisville City are Nickelback fans.[18][19] The overall winner of the two LIPAFC games each season are presented with the fan-made LIPFAC Barrel Trophy — a construction barrel with an Interstate 65 sign stuck on top, and a small plastic trophy taped on the side. Fans claim the trophy was partly made with pieces of the mythological Trojan Horse.[20][21]
Results
Summary
- As of April 6, 2024[20]
Matches | IND wins | Draws | LOU wins | IND goals | LOU goals | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USL regular season | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 28 |
USL Cup Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
U.S. Open Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Total | 22 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 23 | 38 |
Matches
Season | Date | Competition | Stadium | Home team | Result | Away team | Attendance | Series | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | May 27 | U.S. Open Cup | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | 7,134 | LOU 1–0–0 | [1] |
2016 | June 1 | U.S. Open Cup | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 2–1 | Louisville City FC | 2,145 | Tied 1–1–0 | [2] |
2018 | May 5 | USL | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–0 | Louisville City FC | 9,008 | IND 2–1–0 | [3] |
August 5 | Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville City FC | 2–2 | Indy Eleven | 8,437 | IND 2–1–1 | [4] | ||
October 13 | Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Indy Eleven | 10,686 | Tied 2–2–1 | [5] | ||
October 20 | USL Playoffs | Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Indy Eleven | 6,763 | LOU 3–2–1 | [6] | |
2019 | June 29 | USL Championship | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–1 | Louisville City FC | 10,584 | LOU 3–2–2 | [7] |
August 30 | Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Indy Eleven | 9,211 | LOU 3–2–3 | [8] | ||
November 9 | USL Championship Playoffs | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–3 | Louisville City FC | 7,171 | LOU 4–2–3 | [9] | |
2020 | August 8 | USL Championship | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Indy Eleven | 4,850† | LOU 4–2–4 | [10] |
August 26 | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Indy Eleven | 4,851† | LOU 5–2–4 | [11] | ||
September 5 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–3 | Louisville City FC | 6,778† | LOU 6–2–4 | [12] | ||
September 16 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indy Eleven | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | 2,500† | LOU 7–2–4 | [13] | ||
2021 | May 29 | USL Championship | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 1–2 | Indy Eleven | 10,731 | LOU 7–3–4 | [14] |
June 26 | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 3–3 | Indy Eleven | 10,927 | LOU 7–3–5 | [15] | ||
September 18 | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | 6,499 | LOU 8–3–5 | [16] | ||
October 16 | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–0 | Louisville City FC | 6,499 | LOU 8–4–5 | [17] | ||
2022 | March 26 | USL Championship | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Indy Eleven | 8,551 | LOU 8–4–6 | [18] |
August 31 | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 1–0 | Louisville City FC | 8,275 | LOU 8–5–6 | [19] | ||
2023 | May 27 | USL Championship | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | 9,532 | LOU 9–5–6 | [20] |
July 29 | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Indy Eleven | 13,248 | LOU 10–5–6 | [21] | ||
2024 | April 6 | USL Championship | Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville City FC | 5–3 | Indy Eleven | 11,330 | LOU 11–5–6 | [22] |
October 5 | Carroll Stadium | Indy Eleven | Louisville City FC | LOU |
† Matches played at reduced capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eastern Conference standings finishes
IND LOU
P. | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
3 | 3 | |||||
4 | 4 | |||||
5 | 5 | |||||
6 | 6 | |||||
7 | 7 | |||||
8 | ||||||
9 | 9 | 9 | ||||
10 | ||||||
11 | ||||||
12 | 12 |
• Total: Louisville City with 5 higher finishes, Indy Eleven with 1.
Top goalscorers
- As of April 6, 2024
Position | Nation | Name | Team | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Tyler Pasher | Indy Eleven | 5 |
1 | ![]() | Cameron Lancaster | Louisville City FC | 5 |
2 | ![]() | Corben Bone | Louisville City FC | 4 |
4 | ![]() | Paolo DelPiccolo | Louisville City FC | 3 |
4 | ![]() | Wilson Harris | Louisville City FC | 3 |
4 | ![]() | Stefano Pinho | Indy Eleven | 3 |
6 | ![]() | Jack Blake | Indy Eleven | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Antoine Hoppenot | Louisville City FC | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Devon Williams | Louisville City FC | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Niall McCabe | Louisville City FC | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Jack McInerney | Indy Eleven | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Jordan Hamilton | Indy Eleven | 2 |
6 | ![]() | Manuel Arteaga | Indy Eleven | 2 |
Honors
- Table correct as of 2024 season.
Team | USL Cup | Supporters' Shield | U.S. Open Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indy Eleven | 0 | 1† | 0 | 1 |
Louisville City FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Combined | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
†Includes 2016 NASL Spring Championship.[22]
Players who have played for both clubs
Louisville City, then Indy Eleven
Indy Eleven, then Louisville City
Tyler Gibson
Dylan Mares
Kenney Walker (loan between the two clubs[23])
References
Sources
- Hindle, Thomas (April 6, 2024). "Civil War uniforms, 36-35 shootouts and Nickelback: The USL's LIPAFC rivalry is the best derby you have never heard of". Goal.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
Citations
- ^ [email protected], NICHOLAS MURRAY- (April 1, 2024). "What makes the Louisville City-Indy Eleven rivalry special". USL Championship. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Johnston, Kevin (October 20, 2018). "Overmatched Indy Eleven ousted from USL playoffs by defending champs". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ "LouCity defeated by Indy Eleven to mark second straight loss". Louisville City FC. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Gee, Brandon (May 29, 2015). "2015 US Open Cup round 3: Louisville City scores two late OT goals to pull off sloppy road upset of Indy Eleven (video)". TheCup.us. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Carney, Mike (June 12, 2016). "2016 US Open Cup round 3: Indy Eleven rally to avenge last year's loss to Louisville City". TheCup.us. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Crawford, Dakota (January 10, 2018). "Indy Eleven (officially) announces move to USL, plans to remain at Carroll Stadium". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ "USL Announces 2018 Conference Alignment". soccerstadiumdigest.com. Soccer Stadium Digest. January 12, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- ^ White, Chris (May 5, 2018). "Louisville City FC's unbeaten start ends in loss at Indy Eleven". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Harten, David (August 5, 2018). "Louisville City FC earns draw with Indy Eleven on second half goal". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Johnston, Kevin (November 9, 2019). "Louisville City through to 3rd-straight USL Cup final after topping Indy Eleven in thriller". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Lenard, John (June 26, 2020). "USL Championship announces Eastern Conference groups". 3rddegree.net. 3rd Degree. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ "USL Championship Releases 2021 League Alignment, Republic FC in Pacific Division". Sacramento Republic FC. March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
- ^ Hartnett, Mike (May 29, 2021). "Penalties hurt Lou City in loss to Indy Eleven". Louisville: Wave 3. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Nalton, James (April 9, 2024). "A relegation push and CBS: USL's quest to become America's go-to league". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Recap – LOU 5:3 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Newman, Benton (2022). "An Introduction To Louisville City FC". 502 Pros. stateoflouisville.com. State of Louisville. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
This matchup has earned the comical name, the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest (LIPAFC) poking fun at other location-based rivalry match names
- ^ Hindle 2024, "The Eleven squad, recently returning from the Civil War, had their trip down to Kentucky delayed [and] had to play all 90 minutes in their infantry uniforms [...] Fans have claimed [...] that a Civil War veteran used a prosthetic leg to beat up a referee in 1868, and that a 1926 contest between the two sides was decided by a 36-35 penalty shootout win."
- ^ Scoble, Kyle (April 22, 2020). "Descending the Pyramid: The Fan-First Structure Behind Indy Eleven". urbanpitch.com. Urban Hype. Urban Pitch. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Hindle 2024, "Indy were quick to make fun of Louisville in 2022, paying for a flyover before a meeting between the two sides with a trailing banner that read 'Louisville City FC loves Nickelback.'"
- ^ a b "The Louisville-Indianapolis proximity association football contest". www.lipafc.com. 2022. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Hindle 2024, "It's a janky thing, a I-65 sign jutting awkwardly out of a traffic barrel with a broken plastic trophy taped awkwardly on the side. [...] the rivalry site claims that the original trophy was made from pieces of the Trojan Horse."
- ^ "Indy Eleven win NASL Spring season". The Indianapolis Star. June 12, 2016. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
A victory in April proved pivotal in helping the Indy Eleven win the NASL Spring season.
- ^ Saxon, Jonathan (September 21, 2020). "Louisville City FC welcomes former Louisville soccer midfielder for rest of the season". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
Another former Cardinal is returning to the nest as Louisville City FC announced the arrival of midfielder Kenney Walker on Monday.
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