Louisville City FC has added to its goalkeeping corps for the 2023 season with the signing of Oliver Semmle, a national champion during his time at Marshall University, it was announced Wednesday.
The club’s contract with Semmle — pronounced zem-luh — is pending league and federation approval.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Oliver to our group,” said LouCity’s head coach, Danny Cruz. “Throughout this offseason our goalkeepers coach, Scott Budnick, did an excellent job of identifying a long list of names that we felt could play an important role at this club. Ultimately, Oliver fit the positional profile of what we were looking for.
“He is calm under pressure and reads the game very well. We have already seen in his preseason minutes the quality that he brings in our buildout. I am looking forward to continuing to watch his development this year as he challenges the goalkeeping group to be at its best every single day.”
From Au am Rhein, Germany, Semmle transferred to Marshall for his junior season. In the spring of 2021, he played all but 45 minutes of the Thundering Herd’s national title campaign, leading the NCAA with 11 shutouts while boasting a 0.380 goals against average.
Semmle continued with Marshall through the 2022 season, advancing to the third round of the NCAA tournament before the Colorado Rapids selected him 41st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
The 6-foot-3 shot stopper joined City after a trial with the Rapids. His preseason appearances have included a clean sheet performance in last week’s victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
“I‘m very happy and grateful to be part of the Louisville City family now by signing my first professional contract,” Semmle said. “I‘m looking forward to working with and learning from a group of players and coaches that has had great success in the past. I also can’t wait to meet the fans in our home stadium and to get started to achieve our goal to winning a USL Championship title.”
Semmle marks LouCity’s the third new signing this offseason, joining midfielders Dylan Mares and Rasmus Thellufsen. That trio is integrating into a core of 22 returning players — a USL Championship record — from City’s squad that last year set club marks for points earned (72) and wins (22) in a single season en route to securing an Eastern Conference title.
Goalkeepers Kyle Morton and Danny Faundez are back from the 2022 team, but both have missed time during preseason due to injury, giving Semmle opportunity to shine in LouCity’s friendlies.
“I think he’s the best goalie in the country hands down,” Marshall’s coach, Chris Grassie, said of Semmle last season. “For me, there is no one who can play like him with his feet and the shot stopping and crosses that he does — such a great presence.”
LouCity’s 2023 season kicks off March 11 at Orange County SC. The boys in purple will host their home opener March 25 versus El Paso Locomotive FC. Season, group and premium tickets for the 2023 season are on sale now by visiting LouCity.com/tickets or calling (502) LOU-CITY during regular business hours. Single game tickets will go on sale Feb. 28.
Current 2023 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris, Cameron Lancaster, Enoch Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby and Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Paolo DelPiccolo, Tyler Gibson, Dylan Mares, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Rasmus Thellufsen and Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Manny Perez, Sebastian Sanchez, Ian Soler, Sean Totsch and Josh Wynder
Goalkeepers: Danny Faundez, Kyle Morton and Oliver Semmle
