For the fourth year running, Louisville City FC booked their place in the Eastern Conference Final, this time after shutting out Bethlehem Steel FC, 2-0, in front just over 6,800 at Slugger Field.
What Happened?
Hosting Bethlehem Steel FC for the second time this season, Louisville City FC spent their Saturday night in search for their fourth trip to the Eastern Conference finals in as many years of existence.
With temperatures dropping to the lower 50s by kickoff, Steel FC spent the first 20 minutes successfully pressing the home side and creating multiple scoring chances, one being a free kick in the 17th minute.
With a chance to strike first, Bethlehem’s James Chambers attempted to sneak one under the wall, failing to get the ball up and over the wall thanks to a strong defensive hold from LouCity.
Turning the page on the match, LouCity’s first chance yielded a goal as Brian Ownby slotted a brilliant one past the visiting goalkeeper Jake McGuire thanks to yet another Oscar Jimenez assist.
Neither side would find the back of the net the rest of the half as Louisville City entered the break with the 1-0 lead.
Both sides started the second 45 minutes in similar fashion to the first, with a continuous fight for possession as neither club found a true scoring opportunity.
However, after regaining possession in midfield in the 59th minute, LouCity’s Niall McCabe fed a fantastic through ball to Ownby in the open field, who eventually slipped another past McGuire and doubled the hosts’ lead.
The remaining 31 minutes of play were spent with few opportunities for the Steel as LouCity ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh and company recorded the clean sheet and knocked off Steel FC, 2-0.
With the win, the club advances to the USL Eastern Conference championship match against New York Red Bulls II. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm on Friday, November 2 at Slugger Field with tickets starting at just $10.
Key Points:
- After being held scoreless through USL regular season play, midfielder Brian Ownby recorded both LouCity goals.
Injury Report:
None
Louisville City FC 2 : 0 Bethlehem Steel FC
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville, KY
50 degrees / sunny
Attendance: 6,881
Scoring Summary:
LOU – Brian Ownby (Oscar Jimenez) 34’
LOU – Brian Ownby (Niall McCabe) 59’
Disciplinary Summary:
BTS – Santi Moar (caution) 57’
LOU – Kyle Smith (caution) 64’
LOU – Brian Ownby (caution) 79’
BTS – Olivier Mbaizo (caution) 83’
BTS – Ben Ofeimu (caution) 87’
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Alexis Souahy, Paco Craig, Oscar Jimenez, Kyle Smith; Paolo DelPiccolo (c), Brian Ownby, George Davis IV (Sean Totsch 88’), Ilija Ilic (Devon “Speedy” Williams 72’) Niall McCabe; Cameron Lancaster (Luke Spencer 81’)
Bench: Shaun Francis, Richard Ballard, Tim Dobrowolski, Magnus Rasmussen
