Entering Saturday, Luke Spencer felt like his side was a game away from truly “jelling and clicking.” Day to day, he sees too much talent in training for anything less.
Well, Louisville City FC picked a nice time to put forth its best performance of the season. Five players scored in front of LouCity’s record crowd of 13,812 at Slugger Field as the boys in purple downed rival FC Cincinnati.
“We knew there was going to be a big crowd just how the club was during the week and how they were selling tickets,” said midfielder Niall McCabe, who opened scoring in the 16th minute. “So we knew it was going to be a big game. I didn’t think it would be almost 14,000, so I think it was really important that they saw a good game.
“Hopefully now they keep coming back — now until the end of the season — just keep coming back and enjoying what we have to put out there.”
Spencer said LouCity’s third straight home crowd in excess of 10,000 had him and his teammates “buzzing during the game.” On the season, the club is averaging attendance of 9,281 through nine home games, third-most in Division II soccer across North America and up sharply from 2016’s figures.
“To see the crowd, I think it just shows you the impact we’re having on the city and on the community,” said coach James O’Connor. “There’s a tremendous sense of pride from myself, from coaching staff, from all the front office, and I think the front office deserves a massive pat on the back, because they’ve worked tirelessly this week.
“To get that many people here, it was incredible, it really was.”
Here’s more from LouCity vs. FC Cincinnati:
• LouCity’s five goals were a season-high in a USL game this season, though not across all competition. The club knocked in nine goals in a May 20 U.S. Open Cup victory over amateur side Tartan Devils Oak Avalon. A 5-0 scoreline represented LouCity’s widest margin of victory in a USL game.
• O’Connor continued pushing for it, too. Each of his substitutions were offensive-minded, including a change that brought Louisville native Richard Ballard on in the 69th minute. Four minutes later, the rookie scored a goal. Strikers Ilija Ilic and Cameron Lancaster came off the bench as well.
• The LouCity win tied the all-time River Cities Cup series with FC Cincinnati. Through two seasons, the rivals have remained plenty competitive, going 2-2-2 against one another. Outside of USL play, the orange and blue also have a May 31 Open Cup win over LouCity.
