Louisville City FC entered Saturday with a four-game winning streak but its postseason plans already set. The Charlotte Independence, meanwhile, had just dropped a game and needed the victory to host a first-round USL playoff game.
What resulted was a 1-1 draw in front of 8,301 fans at Slugger Field. Here’s how it unfolded.
Thwarted early: Though Louisville was able to set the tone with a corner and the game’s first shot on goal, the match’s opening stretch was very much a chess match. As much as LouCity possessed, Charlotte had an answer. The Independence took some early shots on goal, a pair of corner kicks and some free kicks, but LouCity’s defense — spearheaded by goalie Greg Ranjitsingh — spoiled those efforts.
Breathless: In the 36th minute, Magnus Rasmussen, a consistent scoring threat recently for LouCity, took a kick to the ribs on a 50-50 ball near midfield. The play resulted in a yellow card for the Independence, and Rasmussen’s eventually returned. Said coach James O’Connor: “He’s going to be very sore, but he should be OK.”
Back line collapse: After making his first two saves, Ranjitsingh’s efforts were finally outdone by Charlotte’s Brian Brown. A nicely played cross drew Ranjitsingh out. Then, Brown slid in, controlled the pass and tapped it in for what was, at the time, a 43rd-minute go-ahead goal.
Line switch: Four LouCity subs were made — and planned for — at halftime with the playoffs a week away. The closest Louisville came to sustaining injury to a starter was Rasmussen’s scary shot.
The equalizer: In the 73rd minute, all of LouCity’s offensive efforts were rewarded. A relentless Chandler Hoffman took the initial shot, saved by Charlotte but then off an Independence defender to tie at 1-1.
Man of the Match: Serving as Louisville’s defensive anchor, Greg Ranjitsingh was an easy choice for MOTM Saturday. Though Charlotte was able to sneak one past him in the first half, Ranjitsingh maintained his composure, allowing LouCity’s defense to do the same.
What it means: Saturday’s match was relatively inconsequential for LouCity, as the club’s No. 2 seed in the playoffs was already solidified. But by forcing the draw, LouCity maintained its unbeaten streak and will head into the postseason with a good bit of confidence.
What’s next: Because of the Richmond Kickers’ 2-0 loss Saturday to the Wilmington Hammerheads, the Kickers remained in the No. 7 spot in the standings and will return to Slugger for the playoffs. Richmond was just here on Sept. 10 for another 2-0 loss in which the Kickers managed only one shot.
