LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Saturday, Louisville City FC hosts Orlando City B (TICKETS) in its third game of the 2016 USL regular season. LouCity will certainly hope to limit OCB’s chances and capture the team’s second clean sheet in three games. Here are a few things to consider as coach James O’Connor plots to keep Orlando at bay at Louisville Slugger Field.
Orlando (0-1-1) enters without a win on just a point, while LouCity (1-1-0, 3 points) has its sights set on the first win at Slugger Field in year two.
Who can score for OCB?
The short answer to that question is: It’s a bit unclear at the moment.
Orlando has scored one goal in its first two games, with the only strike coming in OCB’s, 2-1, defeat at the hands of the Wilmington Hammerheads in the team’s USL debut. The goal came from midfielder Andrew Ribeiro in the game’s 56th minute, when Ribeiro wove through the Wilmington defense after a failed clearance and struck from the right side of the box.
Something for LouCity to watch is the threat from Orlando’s left side. Mikey Ambrose and Pierre DaSilva have kept OCB’s first two opponents on their heels, as the pair links up quite nicely going forward.
Look for O’Connor to try to keep this Orlando duo in check on Saturday night at Slugger.
Who needs to step up for LouCity?
As mentioned before, Orlando presents a real threat on its attacking left side. So it’ll be important for Transylvania University alumnus and LouCity rookie Kyle Smith to rise to the occasion for on Saturday. Smith has looked solid in his first two games as a professional, so confidence shouldn’t be an issue while containing the dynamic OCB duo.
He’ll have help, though. Sean Reynolds has patrolled next to him, covering ground on overlaps while a towering Conor Shanosky knocks down crosses via his aerial dominance. Through all competitions in 2016 — four preseason friendlies and two USL games — the LouCity back line and goalkeeper Scott Goodwin have only allowed two goals.
In addition, all of LouCity’s defenders need to be wary of conceding goals like the one Wilmington gave away against Orlando. O’Connor will have likely shared that tape with his team in hopes that his players don’t make a similar mistake.
One play can get you a positive result or leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.
Kicking Off
Louisville City FC returns to action this Saturday with the season’s first home night game at Louisville Slugger Field, set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against new Eastern Conference foe Orlando City B (TICKETS). The el Jimador Tequila Pitch Party will get things started at 5:30 p.m.
