The following week, Louisville notched their first-ever victory against the Detroit Waza 8–3, kicking off what was to be a highly successful inaugural year.

The team evened out to 4–4 by mid-January, before throwing together a 5-game winning streak, including crushing the St. Louis Illusion 8–1, Detroit Waza 15–6, and Ohio Vortex 14–8 in consecutive home games.

In addition to the regular season, the Lightning made their way through the first two rounds of the US Open Cup, defeating the West Virginia Quantum Force 22–1 and Ohio Vortex 18–4.

Close wins over the Detroit Waza 7–6 and 1790 Cincinnati Express 8–5 put the new team in the championship game against the veteran San Diego Sockers to be played in Louisville in April 2010.

San Diego started off early and defeated Louisville 11–7, earning their first Open Cup championship in the second year of the tournament.

[4] In January 2010, the Lightning signed Louisville native John Michael Hayden, formerly of the MLS Houston Dynamo.

The newly renamed Cincinnati Kings edged Louisville in the season opener 6–5, followed by another home heartbreaker 6–4 to Detroit.

At the end of their second season, the Lightning finished 10–8 (8–8 PASL), good enough for second place for the second straight year in the Eastern Division, edging out Detroit by goal differential (+23 to -1).

Player/General Manager David Horne stepped down for a position at the University of Louisville, promoting former VP of Operations Nick Stover to the top spot.

Notable members of the Thunder Zone include the Lightning Shock Squad, dressed in yellow and black full body suits, and the masked Dr. Boltenstein.

The Sockers scored three quick goals to start off the match and despite an even matchup the rest of the way, won 11–7 to clinch their first Open Cup.

On a west coast swing, Louisville visited San Diego one day after defeating Tijuana but were not able to enjoy another victory.

The facility, located just minutes from downtown Louisville, has a two-field setup, with the Lightning playing its games on the newer Field #2, built with permanent seating around the side.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

At the end of regulation, the match was tied 6–6, but Evansville prevailed in overtime 7–6 to earn a matchup against the Louisville Lightning PASL-Pro team.

Previously, four members of the Lightning roster had been featured on the Juventus team: Jerry Chavez, Mariano Gonzalez, Safet Kovacevic, and Aziz Beganovic.

The newly partnered team began with a bang, winning the Greater Louisville Soccer League's Men's Open Division in May 2011, with Beganovic earning the title of tournament MVP.

[9] Soon afterwards, the Juventus Lightning took part in the Jasmin Batanovic Memorial 6v6 Soccer Tournament, and fought off teams from around the region and as far away as Chicago to earn its second title in two tries.

[10] Success also came in the Louisville Latino Soccer League, opening their season with an undefeated 9–0–1 mark, good enough for first place.