Louisville City FC’s Academy continues to provide moments that players will never forget — and you don’t have to look further than midfielder Hayden Stamps for another example.
The 15-year old rising sophomore from Kentucky Country Day School was listed on the team sheet earlier this month as LouCity’s first team hosted Mexico’s Atlante FC for an international friendly.
Stamps trained with the pros ahead of the game, dressed and went through warmups at Lynn Family Stadium in front of a crowd of 8,176.
Afterward, we caught up with Stamps for our latest LouCity Academy spotlight.
How did you get involved with soccer?
“I got into soccer by kicking the ball at home with my dad. Whenever I visited family in St. Louis, it was a huge soccer environment constantly. My dad being a pro was always giving me pointers My dad played for Charleston Battery, where he played outside back and center midfield. He constantly gave me pointers on how to improve my game and taught me the little details so that I could constantly improve even when I am playing at a high level.”
What has your experience been like with the LouCity Academy?
“The academy has given more exposure than any club I have ever been at, allowing me to play with older kids and giving me challenges every day. One thing the academy taught me was to never take a day off — constantly do something to improve your game because it is so hard to become a pro.”
What was it like making the roster for the friendly?
“Being called up for the friendly was some of the greatest news I’ve heard. It was also a look into what my next goal is. Being on the bench was an awesome experience that allowed me to see the behind the scenes of what goes into a match. While it was awesome news, it showed that I now have to work on getting off the bench and getting on the field.”
What are your future plans/goals?
“My goals for the future are to become a professional soccer player. If were to get an opportunity to go professional I would want to skip college with the blessing of my parents.”
