LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC will tune up for the 2017 United Soccer League slate with four preseason games against a combination of college and professional opponents, the club announced Tuesday.

After a two-week trip in February to train at the world-class IMG Academy, LouCity’s preseason opens with a March 4 game against Young Harris College. The boys in purple will then compete with Lipscomb University (March 8), the University of Kentucky (March 15) and Indy Eleven (March 18) before opening USL play the weekend of March 24-26.

Louisville’s regular-season schedule will soon be released by the USL.

“The biggest thing about preseason is base fitness — getting our foundation in place,” said Louisville Head Coach James O’Connor. “After that, you want to get through games injury-free. It’s such a critical part of the year. People tend to underestimate the value of preseason.

“You obviously want to try to win the games, but in preseason it’s important to see the patterns you also want to see throughout the season. You’re trying to iron out individual needs as well as team needs and see where you are.”