By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Louisville City FC was eliminated from the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday via NASL-side Indy Eleven’s, 2-1, victory.
The first half looked promising for the visitors, as they created chances and got forward in impressive fashion. Chandler Hoffman opened the match’s scoring after splitting through the Indy defense and receiving a ball from George Davis IV. LouCity kept up the pressure throughout the first half and came close to scoring a second on several occasions, but ended the half with just a one goal lead.
Down a goal, Indy came out firing in the second half. It’s first goal didn’t take long, as Omar Gordon slotted home a bitter strike from the edge of the penalty box, equalizing the match. The eventual game-winner came just 10 minutes later, when Eamon Zayed got the go-ahead goal on a quick counter.
LouCity coach James O’Connor said he was disappointed to bow out in the third round against Indy.
“It’s disappointing to be knocked out of the cup competition because we wanted to go and have a good run in the competition,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor and his team will look to rebound on Sunday on the road yet again against Orlando City B (7:30 p.m. | WATCH) in USL play. LouCity carry a nine-game unbeaten streak with them to Orlando, which started against OCB at Louisville Slugger Field in April. Hoffman, who hit the crossbar in the second half, said it’s important he and his teammates brush off the cup disappointment and focus on league play.
“It’s another big game on the road (on Sunday),” Hoffman said. “Now, the attention shifts solely to the league. There’s no more Open Cup. So now we just have to focus on these next few games and pick up points.”
O’Connor echoed Hoffman, saying that he and his players will continue about their business after Wednesday’s defeat.
“We go back in the morning and we go through it. We deal with it and then we have a game Sunday.”
A return to USL play will see LouCity visit Orlando City B on June 5 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.
Additional Notes
- Louisville City FC enters the Third Round after a Second Round penalty kick thriller against Detroit City FC.
- LouCity defeated Indy Eleven in the third round of the Open Cup last season, 2-0, in extra time.
- 2016 marks the second time in two years LouCity have won a game in the Open Cup.
- Louisville City currently leads the Eastern Conference of the United Soccer League.
- Louisville City FC Match Report
Match: Indy Eleven vs. Louisville City FC
Date: June 1, 2016
Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Venue: Michael A. Carroll Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST
Weather: 71 degrees; clear
Key Defensive Stops and Saves
LOU: 50’ – Greg Ranjitsingh: Ranjitsingh came off his line to make a diving catch after a curling cross made its way into the box.
Goal Scoring Rundown
LOU: 21’ – Chandler Hoffman: Hoffman received a pretty through ball from George Davis IV, dribbled it in the box and powered it past Indy goalkeeper Keith Cardona to give LouCity the early lead.
IND: 58’ – Omar Gordon: Gordon took a shot from about 18 yards out and it slid through to the back of the LouCity net to equalize the match.
IND: 68’ – Eamon Zayed: Zayed ran in and put home a goal as a result of an Indy fast break.
Lineups
LOU: 13-Greg Ranjitsingh; 24-Kyle Smith (74’ 20-Enrique Montano), 15-Sean Reynolds, 6-Tarek Morad (c), 2-Ben Newnam; 8-Guy Abend, 36-Paolo DelPiccolo, 77-Andrew Lubahn (69’ 7-Kadeem Dacres), 22-George Davis IV; 17-Chandler Hoffman, 9-Cameron Lancaster (65’ 14-Ilija Ilic)
Subs not used: 4-Aodhan Quinn, 1-Scott Goodwin, 18-Paco Craig, 31-Kenny Doublette
IND: 1-Keith Cardona; 23-Marco Franco, 16-Cory Miller, 82-Nemanja Vukovic, 2-Neil Shaffer; 15-Daniel Keller, 6-Dylan Mares, 7-Don Smart (46’ 9-Eamon Zayed), 14-Markhus Lacroix (77’ 33-Gorka Larrea), 91-Dwayne Gordon; 24-Jair Reinoso (41’ 20-Justin Braun)
Subs not used: 18-Jon Busch, 20-Justin Braun, 32-Colin Falvey
Quote Sheet
James O’Connor on his disappointment: “It’s disappointing to be knocked out of the cup competition because we wanted to go and have a good run in the competition,” O’Connor said.
Chandler Hoffman on rebounding from the loss against Orlando City B: “It’s another big game on the road. Now, the attention shifts solely to the league. There’s no more Open Cup. So now we just have to focus on these next few games and pick up points.”
O’Connor on staying focused despite the defeat: “We go back in the morning and we go through it. We deal with it and then we have a game Sunday.”
