Coach James O’Connor says that when Louisville City FC returns to the field Friday, objectives will include more than capitalizing on chances that have evaded the club in two straight losses, or better defending the counter attacks and set pieces that foiled LouCity.
“I think for us, it’s a case of making sure we get out and we show everyone just what it means to us,” O’Connor said of a 7 p.m. road kickoff against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Now in second place in the USL’s Eastern Conference standings, LouCity’s reeling from back-to-back losses, first to rival FC Cincinnati before Orlando City B scored twice in stoppage time to offset a late, 1-0 Louisville lead.
“When something like that happens, you go either one of two ways,” O’Connor said. “You either sink and cry, or you double down. We’ve been certainly doubling down — rest assured of that.”
LouCity out-shot both FC Cincinnati and Orlando City B by totals of 15-10, in the process rocketing multiple shots off the cross bar and opposing goal posts. Too few went into the back of the net for the club’s 17-game unbeaten streak to stretch into August.
The run pushed LouCity to the top of the Eastern Conference table, but all along, New York Red Bulls II kept pace. The Red Bulls’ 5-0 victory Tuesday night over the Harrisburg City Islanders moved them into first place by two points. LouCity can regain the lead with a victory Friday.
“The best way to learn something is to make a mistake,” said defender Paco Craig. “I’m not saying that we made mistakes, but whenever you fall short of what you’re trying to do, you always have something you can take from that, and that’s the best way to grow.”
LouCity returned to training this week what midfielder Kadeem Dacres called “really high” intensity. The club will match up against a Riverhounds team that underwent a midseason coaching change and sit near the bottom of the table in 13th.
But O’Connor described the opponent as “dangerous” coming off a 4-1 victory over Wilmington Hammerheads FC “and in games before deserved more.”
“I think there have been certain games where we felt we could have maybe perhaps been a little bit sharper,” O’Connor said. “You’re always going to get that, especially with me, because I am, because I’m always striving for excellence and perfection. That’s how you have to be.”
Added Dacres: “We’ve been missing chances the past few games, and that’s why we’re out here working hard on our finishing. Hopefully it pays off.”
