United Soccer League newcomer Ottawa Fury FC will make its first visit to Slugger Field on Saturday night in a key game for Louisville City FC, which is looking to bounce back from its first loss in more than a month.
LouCity would remain in the chase for first place in the Eastern Conference with a win, while Ottawa could prove itself as a legitimate contender against a top club.
Here’s what to watch for…
Tune In
TV: WMYO channel 58 will air the game live and in high definition locally with Mike Watts, voice of the USL, and Lee Godfrey on the call.
Radio: TJ Walker (play-by-play) and Jeff Milby (color commentary) will voice the action on NewsRadio 840 WHAS, with pregame coverage starting at 7:15 p.m.
Streaming: Watch live via the USL Match Center or at www.loucity.com.
Follow Along
For Starting XI information and in-game updates, check us out on social media. It’s @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook and louisvillecityfc on Instagram. Vote for the Modelo Man of the Match on Twitter starting in the 75th minute.
Links
• LouCity ready to ‘come fighting back’ in return home
• Videos: O’Connor, players preview Saturday’s game
• LouCity looks to bounce back after upset loss
• Club ready for Ottawa after intense week of training
Notes
The standings: After a loss on the road last Saturday to the Harrisburg City Islanders, LouCity (7-2-4, 25 points) maintained its second place spot on the USL Eastern Conference table. The club sits six points behind the first-place Charleston Battery. Ottawa (5-4-5, 20 points) has lost just one of its last five games amid a climb to the fifth spot.
About Ottawa: Fury FC enters this weekend off a draw with the New York Red Bulls II and, with as many ties as wins, often plays to tight margins. The club has scored 19 goals and conceded 17. Sporting plenty of size along its back line, Ottawa, a former North American Soccer League side, has had just one game this season decided by more than a goal.
LouCity after a loss: A defeat in Harrisburg marked the end of a three-game winning streak for the boys in purple, plus marked just the club’s second loss this season. LouCity typically bounces back well. The club lost back-to-back games just once during the entire 2016 season, falling in consecutive games to FC Cincinnati and Orlando City B last July.
Benefit of 3-4-3 formation: Starting in May, LouCity flashed signs of playing a 3-4-3 formation rather than coach James O’Connor’s traditional 4-2-3-1. The club has seen benefits in pushing up outside backs Oscar Jimenez (left) and Kyle Smith (right). Jimenez scored his first goal of the season June 3 at Charleston, while Smith hit the back of the net June 14 at New York. During the winning streak, LouCity tallied seven goals in three games.
Back in the Bluegrass State: Ottawa’s goalkeeper, Callum Irving, played four years at the University of Kentucky, where he was a two-year team captain and Conference USA Player of the Year. Irving holds program records for shutouts (27) and goals-against average (0.86). The 24-year-old has earned calls up to the Canadian National Team since turning professional in 2016.
Home attendance up: Support for LouCity is on the rise, with average crowds at Slugger Field measuring 8,051 through five home games this year. That’s up from the same point in 2015, when LouCity was drawing 5,335, and in 2016, when the club brought in 6,838 per game early in the season. A 2017-high 9,034 attended LouCity’s 2-1 win April 15 over the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Ranjitsingh’s recent form: Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh posted three clean sheets during LouCity’s recent winning streak, showing he’s fully back from an early season hip flex injury. While he didn’t earn a clean sheet last week at Harrisburg, Ranjitsingh saved an early penalty kick to keep his side level heading into the half. He has conceded just one goal in four games.
Spencer back on the pitch: After tweaking his hamstring May 31 in a U.S. Open Cup game at FC Cincinnati, forward Luke Spencer made his first appearance back as a second half substitute against the City Islanders. The striker created chances, including a nice run into the box and shot in the 71st minute, making an immediate impact in the attack.
Hometown hero: Richard Ballard has rounded into form recently, with the rookie from Louisville contributing to goals in four straight games before the offense halted at Harrisburg. Even there, he came on as a halftime substitute, and a ball played through to the DuPont Manual High School graduate in stoppage time went down as one of LouCity’s best scoring chances. Overall, Ballard has two goals and two assists.
Kaye’s call for the Gold Cup: Having impressed in his first call up to the Canada National Team, midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye earned another this week for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts July 7 and will be played in cities around the United States. The Toronto native made LouCity’s first full international appearance in a June 13 friendly against Curacao.
Riding with Rhodes: Louisville native Ben Rhodes will carry the logo of his hometown soccer team, over the doors of his NASCAR Truck Series ride during the circuit’s July 6 stop at Kentucky Speedway. To highlight the partnership, the local drive will appear Saturday at Slugger Field to meet with fans and perform coin toss before the Ottawa game.
