USL Championship

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club has signed 18-year-old defender Brady Stockton to a USL Academy contract with its USL Championship squad, pending league and federation approval.  

The move allows Stockton to train and compete with the first team, as well as feature in the squad on USL-C matchdays, without forfeiting his NCAA eligibility. 

“I’m really excited for this opportunity and to be in a professional environment,” said Stockton. “This signing means everything to me, being a local kid. I knew this was what I wanted the day I started training with them, and I’m ready to help contribute in whatever way they need.” 

The Lexington native has played the entirety of his youth career in Lexington, eventually signing with LSC’s U-20 USL Academy in 2024. 

Alongside teammates Andrew Caborn and Garrett Addams, Stockton lifted Lexington to a USL-A Great Forest Division title last season and to a third-place finish in the USL Academy Finals tournament in Florida. 

The group also won the 2025 USL Spring Pathway Classic Premier Division. 

Outside of his time with Lexington SC, Stockton was named to the United Soccer Coaches High School All-Region Team as a junior, and to the KHSAA 2025 All-State First Team and All-Region Tournament Team. 

Stockton will be made available for selection for head coach Mac Hemmi ahead of LSC’s match vs. Las Vegas Lights FC Saturday night. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club returns to The Stables in USL Championship action Saturday evening to host a pesky nemesis in Las Vegas Lights FC. 

The Greens encountered a small hiccup in their last match, losing only their second contest in 11 matches to Sacramento Republic FC. It was, however, another strong showing for the Lexington defense who only surrendered one shot on target in the run of play. 

Unfortunately for LSC, the only additional shot on frame it did allow was on a set piece, and it was the differentiator in a 1-0 match. 

Overall, the Greens are still surging as winners of eight of their last 11 contests. 

As the USL Championship roster freeze approaches, Lexington also added midfielder Noble Okello from Indy Eleven earlier this week to strengthen its midfield. The 6-foot-5 midfielder has played everywhere from the No. 6 to the No. 9 spot for Indy this season, giving head coach Mac Hemmi a slew of options to position the Ugandan. 

The Greens have won their last three matches at home by a combined score of 6-2 and will look to continue their winning ways vs. the Lights. 

Although not a club many others have struggled with historically, Las Vegas has been a thorn in Lexington’s side dating back to last season. Vegas has only qualified for the USL Championship Playoffs once since its inaugural season in 2018, has finished last in the standings four of the last six years, yet still has posted a 2W-0L-1D record vs. Lexington. 

LSC is keen to author a new chapter in the Lexington vs. Las Vegas story and pick up its ninth win of the season. 

Kickoff from Lexington SC Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET and is presented by ARH. 

SCOUTING LAS VEGAS 

The Lights enter play unbeaten in their last six matches, posting a 4W-0L-2D record and a +4 goal differential over that stretch. They find themselves one point ahead of Lexington in the standings and have won their last four road matches. 

Vegas is powered by a two-man machine in the form of forwards Johnny Rodriguez and Christian Pinzón. Rodriguez’s 11 goals not only lead the club, but are tied for the second-most by any player in the USL Championship. Pinzón has tallied six assists to lead Vegas, also tying him for the second-most in the league. 

STAT OF THE MATCH 

Two is the magic number. LSC is a perfect 7W-0L-0D this season when scoring two or more goals. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has not scored more than twice all season. 

CAMO HAT GIVEAWAY 

To celebrate Hometown Heroes Night, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a special Lexington Sporting Club camo hat at the ARH and West Sixth Gates.

HOW TO WATCH 

The match will stream live on ESPN+. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club has acquired Ugandan international midfielder Noble Okello via permanent transfer from Indy Eleven. In corresponding moves, defender Joe Hafferty and forward Malik Henry-Scott have joined Indy on loan for the remainder of the season. All transactions are pending league and federation approval. 

Okello, 26, brings 174 professional appearances and 10 years of experience across five leagues to Lexington. The 6-foot-5 Toronto native has made 74 appearances at the USL Championship level and 30 more for Toronto FC in MLS, Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions Cup play. 

“I’m really excited to join Lexington and be part of the club,” said Okello. “I’m looking forward to getting settled in, building with the team and competing for a successful season. My goal is to help the team win, continue growing as a player and make a strong impact this season.”

In 2026, Okello appeared 21 times for Indy Eleven across all competitions, scoring twice, winning 58% of his tackles and ranking third on the club with 11 interceptions. 

Okello began his professional career at 16 years old with Toronto FC II and made 45 appearances for the secondary side before earning a call-up to Toronto’s MLS squad. He debuted for the senior team in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 21, 2020, and went on to make 22 MLS appearances from 2021-22. 

Following two seasons in MLS NEXT Pro with New England Revolution II and Atlanta United 2, and a single-season stint with Denmark’s HB Köge, Okello returned to the USL Championship with Phoenix Rising FC in 2025. He appeared 24 times for Rising and finished top five on the club in four defensive categories plus chances created. 

Born in Toronto to Ugandan parents, Okello represented Canada twice in international friendlies in 2020 before switching his international allegiance to Uganda. He received a call-up by Uganda ahead of two summer friendlies in May 2026, but the matches were not played.

Okello will be available for selection for head coach Mac Hemmi in Lexington’s upcoming match vs. Las Vegas Lights FC. 

Hafferty and Henry-Scott, meanwhile, have joined Indy Eleven on loan for the remainder of the 2026 season. Hafferty made 21 appearances for the Greens this season across all competitions with nine starts, while Henry-Scott started two of his 14 appearances and scored twice. LSC wishes both players a successful season with Indy. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A hard-fought battle between Lexington Sporting Club and Sacramento Republic FC resulted in a 1-0 loss for the Greens early Sunday morning. An 87’ dagger from Sacramento sealed LSC’s fate despite a strong defensive showing.

A strong defensive battle was a surprise to nobody. Sacramento had only allowed 16 goals through 18 matches, the fewest in the league. On the other side of the ball, Lexington entered play with three clean sheets in its last four contests.

That defensive battle played out to the nth degree with the two sides combining for only one shot on target.

For the second consecutive match, Lexington did not surrender a shot on target in the run of play. The Greens were forced to defend for the majority of the second half and did so effectively. However, a corner kick conceded late resulted in the lone goal of the match, courtesy of Sacramento’s Kyle Edwards.

LSC fell to 8W-7L-4D with the result.

GOALS

87’ SAC: Kyle Edwards (assist: Jared Trimmer)

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene (81’ Joe Hafferty), Kendall Burks, Javain Brown, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy, Marcus Epps, Nick Firmino, Braudílio Rodrigues (68′ Cielo Tschantret (76’ Tarik Scott)), Phillip Goodrum

SAC: Danny Vitiello, Tim Leibold (84’ Ryan Spaulding), Lee Desmond, Jared Trimmer, Jack Gurr, Danny Crisostomo, Pep Casas (90’ Aaron Essel), Mayele Malango (84’ Alfredo Midence), Memo Rodriguez, Blake Willey (76’ Arturo Rodríguez), Tyler Wolff (76’ Kyle Edwards)

UP NEXT

Lexington Sporting Club is back home next weekend to host Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, Aug. 22. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Get your coffee and afternoon power nap in. An 11 p.m. ET kickoff is on deck for Lexington Sporting Club Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC. 

It was another win for the Greens last time out, the club’s fourth consecutive result to improve its overall record to 6W-1L-1D over its last eight matches. 

The goals continue to flow for Lexington, who have scored 17 times in those eight matches while tallying four clean sheets. On the season, LSC’s 28 goals are now tied for the sixth-most in the league while its seven shutouts are tied for the third-best total. 

Braudílio Rodrigues found the net once again in the club’s 1-0 win over Phoenix Rising FC. The midfielder has scored in back-to-back matches for Lexington and is now up to four goal contributions (three goals, one assist) in seven matches since being recalled from loan on June 2. 

Rodrigues’ goal was assisted by Ferri in spectacular fashion, a man who has a goal and an assist himself in LSC’s previous three matches. Ferri was named to the USL Championship Week 23 Team of the Week bench on Tuesday for his recent efforts. 

Ferri’s midfield partner, Aaron Molloy, also received a special distinction earlier this week. Molloy was named the USL Championship’s July Player of the Month after leading all players with four assists across all competitions, as well as leading the league in passes completed. He also won 80% of his tackle attempts and 62% of his duels throughout the month. 

Lexington’s red-hot midfielder will look to dominate a Sacramento side that it has drawn even with in all three historical meetings. 

Zooming out, Lexington is 3W-1L-1D against its last five Western Conference opponents. 

Kickoff from Heart Health Park is set for 11 p.m. ET. 

SCOUTING SACRAMENTO 

It has been a bit of a mixed bag for Sacramento in 2026. On the one hand, the perennial playoff powerhouse lost only one of its first eight matches. On the other hand, it left a lot of points on the table with a 3W-1L-4D record. 

Since then, the California club has gone 4W-4L-2D with five results in its last six matches. It enters play in seventh place in the West, trailing Lexington by just a point. 

The Republic’s defense, however, has been tremendous. Its 16 goals conceded are the fewest in the USL Championship, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Danny Vitiello — long regarded as one of the top keepers in league history. Last time out, Vitiello amassed his 50^th clean sheet for Sacramento, becoming the first goalkeeper in league history to accomplish the feat with one club. He also ranks first all-time with 64 USL-C shutouts over his career. 

Kyle Edwards’ five goals lead the club offensively while Memo Rodríguez’s four assists pace the group. 

STAT OF THE MATCH 

LSC has collected 19 points across its last eight matches, setting a new club record for most points earned in an eight-match stretch. 

HOW TO WATCH 

The match will stream live on ESPN+. 

TAMPA, Fla. — Lexington Sporting Club’s Aaron Molloy has been named the USL Championship’s July Player of the Month, the highest monthly honor a player in the league can receive. 

The award was determined by three different voting bodies — a fan vote (51%), ballots submitted by the USL Technical Committee (25%) and ballots submitted by the USL National Media (24%). 

“I’m really grateful to be named Player of the Month,” said Molloy. “It’s a great individual honor, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and everyone around the club who pushes me every day. We’ve put together a really good month as a team, and I think that’s the most important thing. I’m proud to represent Lexington SC, and hopefully we can keep building on this and have a really strong second half of the season. Thank you to everyone who voted and supported me. I really appreciate it.” 

In four July league matches, Molloy played all 360 minutes for the Greens, propelling the club to three results. 

Across all competitions, the LSC captain led all Championship players with four assists. He tacked on nine scoring chances created and led the league with 317 passes completed at a 91% accuracy mark. 

Molloy also won 62% of his attempted duels, 80% of his tackles and recorded 32 recoveries. 

“Aaron brings the highest level of mentality and work rate in every training session and every game,” said head coach Mac Hemmi. “He is a multiplier that makes everyone around him better. He is our captain and sets the standards for the team daily and leads by example. I’m happy for him to be receiving this recognition, and he is only getting started here in Lexington. He possesses the character that we look for in every Lexington player.” 

The Irishman will continue to lead Lexington through a busy month of August consisting of six matches. LSC won each of its first two contests to kick off the month. 

TAMPA, Fla. — Following Lexington Sporting Club’s shutout victory over Phoenix Rising FC, a contest in which it did not surrender a single shot on target, midfielder Blaine Ferri was named to the USL Championship Week 23 Team of the Week bench. 

Ferri conjured a magical assist on Braudílio Rodrigues’ lone goal of the match, completing a give-and-go with a backheel flick in the 63’ minute. He created one additional scoring chance for the Greens as well. 

With the ball at his feet, Ferri led all players with 10 final third entries and won his only tackle attempt. He also logged one interception and won possession four times. 

Ferri’s Team of the Week inclusion marks his sixth of the season, tying him with his midfield counterpart Aaron Molloy for the most on the club. 

2026 USL Championship Team of the Week Awards          

Week 2: Oliver Semmle (bench)           

Week 4: Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy (bench)           

Week 5: Xavier Zengue          

Week 7: Blaine Ferri (bench)         

Week 8/Week 9: Blaine Ferri (bench)        

Week 10: Nick Firmino, Phillip Goodrum, Arturo Ordóñez       

Week 12: Aaron Molloy (bench)      

Week 13: Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (bench)     

Week 14/15: Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps     

Week 17/18: Oliver Semmle, Aaron Molloy    

Week 21: Oliver Semmle (bench), Blaine Ferri (bench)  

Week 22: Aaron Molloy 

Week 23: Blaine Ferri (bench) 

2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup Team of the Round Awards         

Round 1: Marcus Epps    

Round 4: Aaron Molloy (bench) 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club continued its winning ways Saturday evening, picking up its third win at home on the bounce and its fourth consecutive result. The 1-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC accounted for LSC’s sixth over its last eight matches.

Despite failing to score in the first half, the first 45 minutes were dominated by Lexington. The Greens out-shot Phoenix 10-8 in the period, steered three attempts on target and commanded 64% of possession.

After continuing to threaten into the second half, LSC was finally rewarded for its efforts in the 63’ minute.

Braudílio Rodrigues charged up the pitch, laying it off to Blaine Ferri in space. With a nifty backheel, Ferri returned the ball to where it came from to free Rodrigues at the top of the box. The Brazilian smashed it to give Lexington the first goal of the contest in spectacular fashion.

The score was the second in as many matches for Rodrigues, who increased his season tally to three.

From that point on, it was about survival. The club defended for its life, and did so well. The Greens did not surrender a single shot on target all evening, the third time the club accomplished the feat this season. It also picked up its seventh clean sheet of 2026, the second-most in the USL Championship.

GOALS

63’ LEX: Braudílio Rodrigues (assist: Blaine Ferri)

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene (77’ Joe Hafferty), Kendall Burks, Javain Brown, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri (74’ Cielo Tschantret), Aaron Molloy, Marcus Epps, Nick Firmino (59’ Tarik Scott), Braudílio Rodrigues, Phillip Goodrum

PHX: Patrick Rakovsky, Daniel Flores, John Scearce, Pape Boye (86’ Rafael Czichos), Collin Smith (68’ Luke Biasi), Diego Gómez, Jean Moursou (80’ Gunnar Studenhofft), Hope Avayevu (86’ Charlie Dennis), Dominique Badji, Ihsan Sacko, Conrad Ambursley (68’ Adrián Pelayo)

UP NEXT

Lexington Sporting Club hits the road to take on Sacramento Republic FC next Saturday, Aug. 15. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET.

BRAUDÍLIO RODRIGUES — 63′ MINUTE