LouCity hosts Bethlehem Steel FC for the USL Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals this Friday, Oct. 20th at 7:30 p.m E.T.
Here’s what to watch for…
Tune In
TV: WMYO-TV will air the game live and in high definition locally.
Radio: TJ Walker (play-by-play) and Jeff Milby (color commentary) will voice the action on TalkRadio 1080 WKJK with pregame coverage starting at 7:15 p.m.
Streaming: Watch at www.loucity.com.
Follow Along
For Starting XI information and in-game updates, check us out on social media. It’s @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook and louisvillecityfc on Instagram. Live stats are available at the USL Match Center. Vote for the Modelo Man of the Match on Twitter starting in the 75th minute.
Links
• Kyle Smith named to USL Team of the Week
• Halftime reveals importance for LouCity’s success
Notes
Scouting Bethlehem: Steel defender Hugh Roberts is making his fourth consecutive trip to the USL playoffs. Seku Conneh leads the Steel scoring with 10 goals, while Cory Burke trails just behind with nine. Bethlehem has won only one of their last five matches, losing one and drawing in the other three.
Last time against Bethlehem: This will be the third matchup between the two clubs this season. The first meeting saw LouCity walk away with a 3-1 win over the Steel, while the second saw Oscar Jimenez connecting for the equalizer in the 76th minute to secure a 2-2 draw.
Morad Team of the week: Tarek Morad, the opening goal scorer for LouCity on Saturday, was named to USL’s Team of the Week for the final week of the season on Tuesday. This is Morad’s first Team of the Week honor this season. Morad also had three tackles and two clearances in his Team of the Week performance.
Conference Clinched: The boys in purple made their conference championship official on Saturday night, with a postgame celebration and flag-raising ceremony. This marks the first finish for the club at the top of the conference, as well as their third consecutive playoff birth. LouCity was able to hold their spot at the top of the conference once they attained it in mid-August.
Playoff Picture: In addition to the Louisville/Bethlehem matchup, there will be three other opening round matches in the Eastern Conference. Rochester will face Charlotte in New York, Tampa Bay will play Cincinnati in Tampa, and Charleston will play New York in Charleston. The winner of Rochester/Charlotte will play the winner of Louisville/Bethlehem on October 28th.
Home field advantage: The boys in purple get a home field advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs thanks to a first-place finish in the conference. The coaches and players have voiced their pleasure with the supporter groups and fans that come to Slugger Field, and look forward to having games at home.
All players have scored: After Tarek Morad’s penalty kick rebound goal Saturday, all 17 non-goalkeeper players on LouCity’s roster have scored at least once this season. Coach O’Connor mentioned that it shows the level of depth and talent on the team when the club is able to accomplish such a moment.
Jimenez leads league in chances created: The Mount Vernon, Wash. native has wasted no time showing he belongs with the club after signing in early 2017. Despite only having five assists, Jimenez leads the league in chances created, and leads the club in minutes played.
Trusting the process: In numerous interviews and press conferences, both players and coaches alike have preached the same message: trust the process. In fact, that’s what most of the players for Louisville City would attribute their success to. “Just take it one game at a time, and the standings will take care of themselves,” says Coach James O’Connor, which LouCity will continue to do throughout the playoffs.
