Louisville City FC coach James O’Connor said he’ll need some time to digest it, the disappointment of such a successful season suddenly ending.
“I’m incredibly proud of the guys,” O’Connor said outside the locker room at Red Bull Arena, where on Sunday LouCity played the New York Red Bulls II to an even, 1-1 score through 120-plus minutes. New York prevailed in a penalty kick shootout to advance in the Eastern Conference Final.
Aside from the start of the second half, when LouCity found itself “pinned in” defensively, the boys in purple seemed to play with an edge. They out-shot the Red Bulls II 13-11, overcame a change in goalkeepers and lasted after a red card was disaplayed in the second extra time period.
“You take out that, maybe, 25-minute period,” O’Connor said of the second half, “and for me, we’re the better team. We shouldn’t have lost the game. That’s not sour grapes. I just felt like the way the game went, we were creating better chances and really getting at them.”
Still, LouCity’s playoff run ended after two victories, first over the Richmond Kickers and then the Charleston Battery. The club, which went 17-4-9 during the regular-season, advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for a second straight year.
LouCity was also the final independent side left playing in the 29-team USL, with all others in the conference finals owned or operated by Major League Soccer franchises.
“It was a great season,” said team captain Aodhan Quinn. “From the beginning in Florida, where we had preseason, we’ve grown so much together. We feel like brothers out there. We fight for each other so hard. Trainings are intense but, obviously, that’s why we did so well during the season. You can see it on Saturdays when we play.
“We played for each other out there. Couldn’t be prouder of the guys in (the locker room). It was great to play with them. It was great to compete with them every single day. We’re best friends for life now.”
Much of LouCity’s roster from Year 1 carried over to Year 2. O’Connor will begin sorting out personnel for 2017 as soon as this week.
As for what’s left of the postseason, New York will host the Western Conference champs, the Swope Park Rangers, at 8 p.m. Sunday in the USL Cup Final on ESPNU.
“We wish them the very best of luck,” O’Connor said of the Red Bulls. “Hopefully they go on and win it, because they’ve had an exceptional season. But I couldn’t be more proud of all our guys. I think the effort they put out — fantastic — just didn’t deserve that (Sunday), that’s for sure.”
Ranjitsingh on the mend: Starting LouCity goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh fell to the ground early in the second half of Sunday’s Eastern Conference Final but appeared poised to remain in the game after receiving treatment. Following one more sequence in play, he had to give in, leaving in the 52nd minute.
Scott Ritter, LouCity’s athletic trainer, said Ranjitsingh suffered a groin strain and is “hopeful” Ranjitsingh could return to 100 percent in a matter of weeks. Trinidad and Tobago, the home nation of Ranjitsingh’s father, called the keeper up in September for a pair of World Cup qualifiers. The Caribbean nation has more scheduled for November.
Ranjitsingh will heal up in his native Canada while waiting on another international call.
Quinn in the zone: Overshadowed by LouCity’s defeat, Quinn, a midfielder, delivered one of his best performances of the year in the Eastern Conference Final. After setting up Paco Craig’s header goal in the 11th minute, Quinn looped another free kick into the box just before the game went to penalties. Craig’s head also found that one, but the finish wasn’t on goal.
“I felt good,” Quinn said. “I think I’ve been playing pretty well the last couple of weeks. On the set pieces, we knew we would have a chance, especially with Paco, Tarek (Morad) and Guy (Abend) as well in there. We have guys who want to get their head on the ball. It was just up to me to get the ball in the right spot.”
Suspensions extended: The USL discpline report released Monday extended the suspension for LouCity defender Sean Reynolds that will carry over to the 2017 season. Reynolds will now miss the first three games rather than just one after receiving a red card in the 105th minute for a “two-footed tackle.”
Craig, who was sent off for receiving two yellows in Sunday’s game against the Red Bulls II, will also miss next year’s season opener.
