The benefits of Louisville City FC’s short preseason trip Wednesday are two-fold in the eyes of coach James O’Connor.
First of all, against NCAA Division I Lipscomb University, the boys in purple — the only pros in Kentucky — figure to face a stiff test.
“Those teams are desperate to beat us and show you what they’ve got,” O’Connor said. “You almost have a target on your back.”
Second, the opening whistle is set for 7 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Sports Park, marking LouCity’s first game in the town about 45 miles South. Admission is free, and the Sports Park is open to the public.
“I’m looking forward to going, because I’ve heard so much about this great complex,” O’Connor said. “There’s also probably a lot of people there who aren’t aware there’s a professional soccer team up the road.
“It gives us an opportunity to show what quality we have, impress them, and hopefully they’ll come out to Slugger and enjoy the experience as thousands do every week when we play at home.”
LouCity will kick off on Synthetic Field 10 at Championship Pavilion four days after topping NCAA Division II Young Harris College by a 3-1 score in its preseason opener. O’Connor’s side never trailed in the game and saw goals from two newcomers, forward Luke Spencer and midfielder Richard Ballard, the rookie from Louisville.
But O’Connor came away less than pleased with LouCity’s performance, choosing to reflect on it with his team Sunday rather than take the day off.
“We’re always satisfied when we win, but obviously we’re not 100 percent yet,” said midfielder Guy Abend. “We still have a few things to work on. I trust James and the staff.”
“I think when you produce a performance like that, we don’t really have to say a whole lot,” O’Connor added. “I think the guys were disappointed themselves, and that gives you an indication of where our standards are as a group.”
Coached by Charles Morrow, Nashville, Tenn.-based Lipscomb hails from the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Bisons posted a 10-6-2 record last season, totaling their second-highest win total in school history.
LouCity, which in 2016 advanced to the United Soccer League’s Eastern Conference Final, opens this year’s USL slate on March 25 with a rivalry game against Saint Louis FC at Slugger Field.
