Splitting the points with Atlanta United FC 2 at Coolray Field last Saturday, LouCity (4-0-1; 1st) returns home to Slugger Field to face Bethlehem Steel FC (1-2-2; 10th) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
After the team’s 1-1 draw the previous weekend, coach James O’Connor noted that although he was pleased overall, the lapse in concentration at the end that resulted in a 90th-minute penalty from ATL midfielder Andrew Carleton was ultimately most frustrating.
As the focus turns to Bethlehem Steel FC this Saturday, LouCity’s return to Slugger Field marks their fourth home test in seven weeks. On Monday, O’Connor expressed his excitement about playing in front of the home support again.
“I think the great thing about playing in front of our supporters is the passion that they bring and the noise. It can become a very intimidating place for the opposition, which I think is important,” he said.
“… I think for us, we feel privileged that we’re able to play in front of such passionate supporters and we want to give our best and make the city proud and we continually try to do that.”
O’Connor also touched on LouCity team news, including updates on Luke Spencer and Pat McMahon.
“We’re still managing that, to be honest. George [Davis IV] was very unlucky not to start, we erred on the side of caution with a bit of hamstring stiffness. Oscar [Jimenez] cramped up in the game but we think he’ll be okay. Pat [McMahon] is coming back, Luke [Spencer] we’re still trying to manage,” he said.
“So we’re still probably suffering a little bit from those four weeks where the training ground wasn’t right and we were over on the turf. I don’t think people quite understand as much when you’re not consistent in your surfaces and what you train on, the implications that that has.”
The team pushes forward in search of a result that would propel their unbeaten streak to a new record. Once again, though, O’Connor emphasizes that the focus is only on Bethlehem on Saturday night.
“You try to focus on what you can control … What we need to do is make sure our guys have a good training week, that the training load is correct. And that also we have a good understanding of what their overall philosophy is and what they’re trying to do,” he stated.
“Then it’s about how we are doing with our philosophy and our guys having a good understanding of what we’re trying to do.”
Louisville City FC kicks off against Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Slugger Field. Click here for single game tickets to another Saturday night showdown!
