The script hasn’t changed for Louisville City FC coach James O’Connor in the wake of a 1-0 loss last weekend to the Harrisburg City Islanders.
With the club’s first-ever matchup against Ottawa Fury FC ahead Saturday at Slugger Field, O’Connor reverted to a familiar saying, offering LouCity’s players two options. But in reality, there’s only one he’ll let them take.
“You either sit and cry, or you get up and you work harder and you come fighting back, which is what we’ve always done and what we’ll do again,” the coach told media members at his weekly press conference.
A defeat in Harrisburg came amid LouCity’s best run of form this year. The club matched a season-best winning streak at three games and entered off back-to-back 3-0 victories, one of them against defending USL champion New York Red Bulls II.
The City Islanders, meanwhile, scored just their second home win of the season — and first overall in 10 games.
“We need to better. We’re not going to make any excuses,” O’Connor said. “That’s something certainly since I’ve been here that we’ve never done is make any excuses. We need to be better, and we will be.”
Scoreless at the half, O’Connor attempted to ignite LouCity’s attack by bringing on midfielder Richard Ballard as a substitute for Sean Totsch, who plays defender. Forward Luke Spencer also came on in his first appearance since May 31, back from a hamstring tweak.
LouCity has turned the page to Ottawa with lessons learned.
The boys in purple are unbeaten at Slugger Field this season, and a scoreless effort in Harrisburg was their first since May 13. A loss didn’t drop the side in the USL Eastern Conference standings, holding at the second spot with the Charleston Battery ahead and Tampa Bay Rowdies one point behind.
The Fury, a former member of the North American Soccer League, sport a 5-4-5 record, good for fifth on the Eastern Conference table.
“It’ll be a big game for us against Ottawa,” O’Connor said. “Very big team, physically, and very well-organized and…and obviously it’ll be a tough challenge for us.
“But we’re looking forward to it. We’re excited to be at home and play in front of our supporters.”
