By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville City FC (6-1-2, 20 points) laid claim to all three points and extended its unbeaten streak to seven games in the first leg of the 2016 Kings’ Cup against Western Conference foe Saint Louis FC (3-3-2, 11 points) by a score of 2-0 on Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Second half goals by George Davis IV and Cameron Lancaster cemented the victory that saw the home side outshoot its visitors 15-4.
The Eastern Conference table-toppers played a superb game in the rivalry match, dominating possession and creating chances throughout. LouCity attackers got forward at will against a good Saint Louis defensive unit. Although there were chances for the home side, the goals didn’t come until late. Davis said he looked at the clock late in the match and realized it was time his team get on the scoreboard.
“I looked at the clock right before the (first) goal and thought, ‘Alright, we’re coming down to the end of the game. We really need to hit the gas,’” Davis said.
The University of Kentucky alumnus scored his first goal as a Louisville City player on Saturday, slotting one home in the 75th minute after a daft series of 1-touch deliveries from Davis to Paolo DelPiccolo to Kadeem Dacres back to Davis.
Davis said finally scoring his first LouCity goal in a rivalry match was a special moment in his professional career.
“It feels good,” Davis said. “We’re nine games into the season now, so I would’ve like to have hit the back of the net earlier. But, it’s important to be patient and wait for my time.”
The goal that sealed the victory for LouCity came in the 89th minute, when striker Cameron Lancaster, who came on late for fellow forward Chandler Hoffman, burst past Saint Louis defenders and was taken down illegally in the box. Lancaster took the penalty he earned with confidence, and calmly put it past Saint Louis keeper Mark Pais. LouCity coach James O’Connor said Lancaster impressed when he came on.
“I thought Cam took the penalty well,” O’Connor said. “I thought both he and Ilija (Ilic, another late substitute), caused problems. It was very pleasing for Cam to get the goal, but I’m pleased for all the players.”
Although the goals put LouCity in the lead, the back four and goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh kept Saint Louis scoreless. Saturday’s clean sheet makes it three in a row for O’Connor’s side.
O’Connor said that although his team has kept the opposition scoreless, it’s important that they keep working hard during training.
“We shouldn’t be patting ourselves on the back yet,” O’Connor said. “The streak is three, which is good, but there’s still lots to do.”
USL Team of the Week member Ranjitsingh, who made a key save in the 85th minute to keep Saint Louis scoreless, said his defenders deserve much of the credit for LouCity’s stellar defensive form.
“It’s a complete team effort,” Ranjitsingh said. “I think the guys in front of me are doing a great job, just leaving as little for me to do as possible. Shutouts are always a team effort. A lot of times the goalkeepers get the glory for it but it’s definitely a team effort, so credit to all the guys in front of me.”
LouCity will play its first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match of 2016 on Wednesday against Detroit City FC at Bellarmine University (7 p.m. | TICKETS). Davis said the players will come into the game with the same amount of focus they bring to each fixture.
“We’ll approach Detroit City just like we do any other team in the league. I know the Open Cup is important to all of us. It’s a great opportunity to move on, play some MLS teams and get some exposure. We want to win, so we’re not going to treat Detroit City different than we would any other team.”
Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.
Additional Notes
Today’s match is a renewal of the Kings Cup.
LouCity won two of the three meetings with Saint Louis FC in 2015. Saint Louis managed to draw LouCity 3-3 on May 24 last season.
Louisville City comes into tonight’s match at the top of the Eastern Conference table with 17 points.
Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh was named to the USL Team of the Week after his clean sheets against Bethlehem Steel FC and Toronto FC II.
Both LouCity and Saint Louis FC entered the contest on a five-match unbeaten streak.
Louisville City FC Match Report
Match: Louisville City FC
Date: May 14, 2016
Competition: United Soccer League
Venue: Louisville Slugger Field
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST
Weather: 50 degrees; cloudy
Attendance: 7,859
Goal Scoring Rundown
LOU: 75’ – George Davis IV: Davis scored his first LouCity goal after receiving a clever pass from Paolo DelPiccolo in the box, very close to the goal.
LOU: 64’- Cameron Lancaster: Lancaster calmly put a penalty past the Saint Louis keeper after being brought down after a fantastic burst past the opposing defense.
Key Defensive Stops and Saves
LOU: 85’ – Greg Ranjitsingh: Ranjitsingh was able to keep his third straight clean sheet late in the match after a Saint Louis forward broke through and kicked a point blank shot, which the Canadian keeper was able to stop.
Lineups
LOU: 13-Greg Ranjitsingh; 24-Kyle Smith, 5-Conor Shanosky, 6-Tarek Morad (81’ 15-Sean Reynolds), 2-Ben Newnam; 36-Paolo DelPiccolo, 4-Aodhan Quinn (c), 77-Andrew Lubahn (59’ 14-Ilija Ilic), 22-George Davis IV, 7-Kadeem Dacres; 17-Chandler Hoffman (83’ 9-Cameron Lancaster)
Subs not used: 1-Scott Goodwin, 20-Enrique Montano, 18-Paco Craig,8-Guy Abend
STL: 1-Mark Pais; 4-AJ Cochoran, 3-Sam Fink, 6-Parker Maker, 2-Richard Dixon; 17-Jacob Bushue (76’ 12-Tyler David), 14-James Musa, 25-Brandon Barklage (86’ 11-Charles Renken), 15-Mike Ambersley (c); 18-Drew Conner (80’ 7-Jamiel Hardware) , 19-Iryin Hererra
Subs not used: 24-Sean Clancy, 16-Jake Bond, 10-Kewtaro Takada, 20-Vince Cicciarelli
Quote Sheet
James O’Connor on a third straight clean sheet: “We shouldn’t be patting ourselves on the back yet. The streak is three, which is good, but there’s still lots to do.”
Greg Ranjitsingh on a third straight clean sheet: “It’s a complete team effort. I think the guys in front of me are doing a great job, just leaving as little for me to do as possible. Shutouts are always a team effort,” Ranjitsingh said. “A lot of times the goalkeepers get the glory for it but it’s definitely a team effort, so credit to all the guys in front of me.”
George Davis IV on the upcoming Open Cup match versus Detroit CIty: “We’ll approach Detroit City just like we do any other team in the league. I know the Open Cup is important to all of us. It’s a great opportunity to move on, play some MLS teams and get some exposure. We want to win, so we’re not going to treat Detroit City different than we would any other team.”
George Davis IV on scoring his first LouCity goal: “It feels good. We’re nine games into the season now, so I would’ve like to have hit the back of the net earlier. But, it’s important to be patient and wait for my time.”
Resumen: LouCity silencia Saint Louis, Sigue sin perder en 7 partidos
Louisville, Ky. – Louisville City FC (6-1-2, 20 puntos) afirmo los tres puntos y prolongó su racha invicta ha 7 partidos en el primer partido del Kings’ Cup en contra Saint Louis FC (3-3-2, 11 puntos) con el marcador de 2-0 el Sábado por la noche en Louisville Slugger Field. Goles en el segundo tiempo por George Davis IV y Cameron Lancaster cemento la victoria que vio el equipo de casa tener 15 tiros contra los 4 tiros del equipo visitante.
LouCity, quien está encima de la Conferencia del Este, jugaron un partido excelente en el partido de rivalidad, dominado la posesión y generando chances a lo largo del partido. Los atacantes de LouCity empujaron adelante sin problema contra una defensa fuerte de Saint Louis. Aunque el equipo de casa tuvieron oportunidades, los goles llegaron tarde en el partido. Davis dijo que vio a el reloj a final del partido y reconoció que era tiempo que el equipo anotaba un gol.
“Vi el reloj antes del (primer) gol y pensé, Bueno, casi estamos al final del partido. Necesitamos empujar el pedal,” dijo Davis.
El exalumno de la Universidad de Kentucky anoto su primer gol como jugador de Louisville City el Sábado, anotando en el 75 minuto después de un serie de pases de Davis a Paolo DelPiccolo a Kadeem Dacres de vuelta a Davis.
Davis dijo que anotando su primer gol con Louisville City en un partido de rivalidad fue un momento especial en su carrera profesional.
“Se siente bien,” dijo Davis. ”Estamos nueve partidos en la temporada, quisiera anotar un gol más temprano. Pero, es importante ser paciente y esperar mi tiempo.”
El gol que selló la victoria para LouCity llego en el minuto 89, cuando el delantero Cameron Lancaster, quien entro el partido tarde para Chandler Hoffman, pasó la defensa de Saint Louis y el portero de Saint Louis cometió una falta sobre el delantero en la caja. Lancaster tomó el penal que ganó con confianza, y tranquilito lo puso en el gol. El entrenador de LouCity James O’Connor dijo que Lancaster impresionó cuando entro el partido.
“Pensé que Cam tomó el penal bien,” dijo O’Connor. “Pensé que él y Ilija (Ilic, otro sustituto que entro tarde), causaron problemas. Fue agradable de ver Cam agarrar el gol, pero estoy contento para todos los jugadores.”
Aunque los goles le dio LouCity la ventaja, los defensores y el portero Greg Ranjitsingh mantuvo Saint Louis sin goles. El partido de Sábado le dio el equipo de O’Connor tres partidos consecutivo que no dejaron su adversario anotar un gol.
O’Connor dijo que aunque su equipo mantuvo el oposición sin goles, es importante que el equipo mantengan de trabajar duro en el entrenamiento.
“Todavía no debemos de acariciar nuestra espalda, “ dijo O’Connor. “La racha es tres, que es bueno, pero todavía faltan muchas cosas que hacer.”
Miembro del USL Equipo de la Semana Ranjitsingh, quien hizo una atajada clave en el 85 minuto para mantener Saint Louis sin goles, dijo que su defensa merece la gran parte del crédito de la forma estelar de la defensa.
“Es un esfuerzo completo del equipo,” dijo Ranjitsingh. “Pienso que los hombres enfrente de mi están haciendo un trabajo estupendo, dejándome poco trabajo para hacer. Siempre es un esfuerzo del equipo. Muchas veces los porteros agarran la gloria pero definitivamente es un esfuerzo del equipo, así le doy crédito a los hombres enfrente de mí.”
LouCity jugara su primer partido del Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup de 2016 el Miércoles contra Detroit City FC en la Universidad de Bellarmine (7 p.m.) Davis dijo que los jugadores entraran el partido con la misma cantidad de concentración que traen en cada partido.
“Vamos aproximar Detroit City como hacemos a otro equipo de la liga. Yo sé que el Open Cup es importante para nosotros. Es una oportunidad de jugar contra unos equipos de MLS y obtener un poco de publicidad. Queremos ganar, así que no vamos tratar Detroit City diferente de cualquier otro equipo.”
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