Men's Soccer Hosts Highly Successful Inaugural Kickoff Banquet
August 18, 2013 | Men's Soccer
Aug 18, 2013
Louisville Men's Soccer Kickoff Banquet Photo Gallery
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With preseason camp well underway, the nationally ranked Louisville men's soccer program continued the countdown to the 2013 season with the inaugural Kickoff Banquet on Friday night at the Galt House in downtown Louisville.
UofL head coach Ken Lolla and the Cardinals were joined by former MLS MVP and ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, who entertained the crowd of more than 200 Louisville fans and supporters. The event highlighted a busy opening weekend of preseason activities for the No. 10 Cardinals, who earned a 3-1 victory over Lindsey Wilson on Thursday night and will host Michigan in another exhibition contest on Sunday at 7 p.m., ET at Cardinal Park.
"Though this was our inaugural kickoff luncheon, our vision is that tonight will lead to this being an annual event for our program," Lolla said. "We hope it is something that will help our fans not only get acquainted with the team, but help our momentum going into the season."
Fans can follow Louisville men's soccer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/uoflmenssoccer and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UofLmenssoccer.
About Taylor Twellman
Twellman was drafted second overall by the New England Revolution in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. In his first MLS season, he established himself as one of the best players in the league. In the 2003 campaign, despite being beset by a number of injuries, he finished tied for first in the league in goals scored with 15. After scoring nine goals in 2004, Twellman was back to his old form in 2005 winning both the Major League Soccer MVP Award and MLS Golden Boot, finishing the regular season with 17 goals. He was also named to the MLS Best XI for the second time in his career.
In 2007, Twellman won his first title with the Revolution in the US Open Cup, a season in which he finished third in MLS in goals scored. The Revolution also won the Eastern Conference title, while he scored a spectacular bicycle kick against the Chicago Fire to secure the Revs' spot in the 2007 MLS Cup. Twellman scored the opening goal of the 2007 MLS Cup against the Houston Dynamo. However, it would be New England's only goal and they went on to lose their third straight MLS Cup by a score of 2-1.
Twellman announced his retirement from the game at the end of the 2010 MLS season and now works as a commentator for ESPN.
About Louisville Men's Soccer
The Cardinals advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championship in 2012 marking the third straight season they had finished among the nation's final eight squads. Louisville, which finished 2012 ranked No. 7 overall, closed the conference season as the BIG EAST Red Division champions after finishing with a 7-1-0 record in league play.
Andrew Farrell became the third Cardinal to earn BIG EAST Defender of the Year honors to lead a group of five Cardinals earning All-BIG EAST honors (Farrell, Paolo DelPiccolo, Will Vitalis, Greg Cochrane and Dylan Mares). Farrell went on to earn first team NSCAA All-American honors. Louisville had three players drafted in the 2013 MLS Super Draft and Farrell became the first top pick for the Cardinals.
Lolla has reloaded the Cardinals once again with depth and talent for the 2013 season. He added an experienced class of transfers and the best recruiting class in school history to fill the void left by graduation. Once again, the Cardinals are expected to have another exciting and successful season on the pitch.
University of Louisville soccer season tickets are currently on sale and provide admission to all men's and women's regular season matches at Cardinal Park. The popular Family 4-Pack (four tickets to each match and two limited-edition adidas scarves) is available for only $125. Soccer season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets when the team moves to Lynn Stadium in the summer of 2014. Fans are encouraged to place a $40 per seat deposit to help assign their place on the seating priority list for Lynn Stadium.
To purchase 2013 season tickets or to become a 2014 founding season ticket holder at Lynn Stadium, call (502) 852-0120 or email tickets@gocards.com for more information.
