By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Although many know Louisville City FC (6-1-2, 20 points) for its formidable attack featuring Chandler Hoffman, Kadeem Dacres, George Davis IV, Cameron Lancaster and Co., the Eastern Conference leaders are made up of more than simply the frontmen.
The emergence of LouCity’s back four, plus goalkeepers Greg Ranjitsingh and Scott Goodwin, have been a major part of LouCity’s success in its current seven-match unbeaten run.
“I think it was just a matter of time,” centerback Tarek Morad said. “I think it was just a chemistry thing and getting to know the strengths of each other on and off the field.”
In the last three contests, LouCity has kept opponents scoreless, with the chemistry clicking. Defenders know where each other will be and they can communicate better after being on the field together more.
Ranjitsingh, who has played in all three clean sheets, said he’s lucky as a goalkeeper to have defenders who take care of business by keeping the ball away from the goal.
“I have a lot of faith in my defenders,” he said. “As a goalkeeper, the guys in front of me do a good job by leaving nothing for me to do. My job gets easier if they do a good job, and they’re doing that.”
Although the back line has been superb, Ranjitsingh deserves more credit than he claims for the clean sheets. Ranjitsingh has been in the right place at the right time and often sacrifices his body to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Morad said the man behind the back four is doing all the right things as far as work ethic is concerned.
“He’s done really well,” Morad said. “He got some good experience last year under Scott (Goodwin). Greg coming in to start the past few games and getting some shutouts is not a surprise because he’s been working his butt off every day in training since last year. So, it was only a matter of time until he got his opportunity.”
For goalkeepers, saves are often instinctive. The Canadian keeper has made some brilliant saves in his three starts for coach James O’Connor’s team, including one monster diving save against Toronto FC II, when Ranjitsingh robbed TFC II striker Mo Babouli of a goal off of a beautiful curling free kick. Staying in the moment and not thinking too much is quite important, and that’s what Ranjitsingh said helps him make big saves in big moments.
“I think I approach any shot with calm and just take anything that comes at me,” Ranjitsingh said. “I try to keep my angles right, but I don’t really know what to say about big saves. As a goalkeeper, you just try to make it happen in the moment.”
For LouCity to remain at the top of the East, its defensive form will need to continue. The good news, if you’re a Louisville City supporter, is that form does not look to change any time soon.
Louisville City continues USL play on May 21 at Richmond Kickers (7 p.m. | WATCH) to initiate a three-match road stint before returning to Slugger Field on June 11 to host Wilmington Hammerheads (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).
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.
