The rivalry is a manifestation of a greater cultural rivalry between the cities of Lexington and Louisville.[1] As the two largest cities in the Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville are major cultural hubs for the state, with both cities being the principal cities of the first and second largest metropolitan areas in Kentucky. The two major universities in each city have a fierce rivalry between themselves, with the University of KentuckyWildcats (Lexington) and the University of LouisvilleCardinalsrivalry considered one of the most intense in the country. As of July 2025, both teams play for a physical trophy presented by Republic Bank.[2]
Background
Louisville City was founded in 2014, and has been considered one the USL's premier clubs.[3] Louisville City has won two USL Championships and remains near the top of the USL's ranking for average attendance.[4][5] Louisville developed two fierce rivalries with FC Cincinnati and Saint Louis FC, but due to MLS expansion, Louisville was left without an established rivalry to compete in within their league.
Lexington SC was founded in 2021, joining the USL League One, the third division of American soccer.[6] To support the new club, the City of Lexington announced it would be assisting in building a new soccer stadium and complex around the team, expecting to host around 5,000 fans.[7] The stadium, named Lexington SC Stadium, was completed in the middle of the 2024 season.[8]
History
In their first match, before Lexington SC was promoted, Louisville City and Lexington met in the 2nd Round of the 2023 U.S. Open Club.[9] Louisville City soundly beat Lexington 1–0. Louisville outshot and outpossessed Lexington in both halves of the game.
In January 2024, Lexington SC announced it was signing former Louisville City captain and all-time club leading scorer Cameron Lancaster. He was later announced to be Lexington SC's captain.[10]
In 2025, it was announced that the rivalry would be officially called "The Commonwealth Cup Presented By Republic Bank." The trophy was first awarded on July 26, 2025, after Louisville defeated Lexington 2–1. During the match, Lexington wore their "Icicles Kit," a kit to honor the University of Kentucky's 1990s basketball teams who wore similar uniforms.[11] The game would be highlighted as Lexington SC's first ever sell-out game, a record attendance for the rivalry at 8,252. Louisville won the match, and ultimately secured the Commonwealth Cup, with Louisville's Jake Morris scoring a brace, scoring both goals in stoppage time.[12]
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