Saying Louisville City FC has “the chance to put clear water between itself and the chasing pack available in the next seven days,” the United Soccer League’s Nicholas Murray returned the club to the top spot Monday in the USL’s latest power rankings.
Louisville took a 1-0 victory Saturday at Rochester, snapping the Rhinos’ 24-game home unbeaten streak, and the next evening previous No. 1 New York Red Bulls II drew with Orlando City B after allowing an 87th-minute goal.
Now, LouCity’s No. 1 in both the USL’s official standings and power rankings, a measure of recent form, with home matches set for Tuesday against Toronto FC II and Saturday against FC Cincinnati. The club hasn’t lost in a league-high 12 straight USL games.
Behind Chandler Hoffman’s hat trick, Louisville beat Cincinnati 3-2 in the teams’ previous meeting April 16.
“With a large contingent of traveling support expected, as Louisville provided in the first meeting, Saturday night’s game is setting up as a must-see,” Murray wrote.
His power rankings listed the Sacramento Republic at No. 2 and FC Cincinnati at No. 3. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and Red Bulls II filled out the top five.
