Louisville City FC got back to winning ways in an explosive 5-0 thrashing of the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) in the Second Round of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup.
The result means LouCity will return to Lynn Stadium next Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m., facing the winner of the Saint Louis FC-Duluth FC in the Third Round of the competition.
What Happened?
As the teams settled in on a toasty night in Louisville, LouCity looked the aggressors early on as they created a number of chances that the Long Island ‘keeper–who produced an incredible performance in net–was equal to.
However, in a move that would produce a goal ten out of ten times, Kyle Smith opened the scoring off a perfect pass from Ilija Ilic before the half-hour to give City the advantage. As the half edged closer to a close, Ilic turned provider to scorer when he found the back of the net after 37 minutes to double the team’s lead. At the break, the “Boys in Purple” held a steadfast advantage over the visitors.
More to come in the second half, City continued to pile pressure on the Rough Riders’ goal and found their third of the night after the hour mark. Breaking down the left flank, Oscar Jimenez cut inside then out again to leave his defender in a tizzy and serve a perfect ball across goal. Forward Luke Spencer, who made his first start since the March 31 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, slid to tap home and put his side up three.
In the waning moments of the match, substitute Brian Ownby produced a moment of magic on the touchline. Dancing around his defender, Ownby’s touch never let him down as he circled his way through the penalty area before hitting home at the far post for City’s fourth. Finally, Lancaster truly put the icing on the cake with a stunning free kick in the 86th minute as LouCity wrapped up an impressive 5-0 win to advance.
The Key Points:
- The “Boys in Purple” looked dominant throughout with the first goal coming from Kyle Smith after 25 minutes
- Ilija Ilic added a goal to his assist on Smith’s tally in the 37th to go two-up at the break
- Spencer netted City’s third on a curling ball in from Oscar Jimenez
- Ownby dazzled the crowd with some fancy footwork before beating the Rough Riders’ ‘keeper at his far post
- Lancaster sealed the impressive victory with a peach a free kick just minutes before fulltime
Injury Report:
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
Louisville City FC 5 : 0 Long Island Rough Riders
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Lynn Stadium – Louisville, KY
80 degrees / sunny
Scoring Summary:
LOU – Kyle Smith (Ilija Ilic) 25′
LOU – Ilija Ilic 37′
LOU – Luke Spencer (Oscar Jimenez) 68′
LOU – Brian Ownby 81′
LOU – Cameron Lancaster 86′
Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Tim Dobrowolski; Pat McMahon (Alexis Souahy 64′), Sean Totsch, Paco Craig, Oscar Jimenez (Cameron Lancaster 72′); Paolo DelPiccolo; George Davis IV, Kyle Smith (Brian Ownby 63′), Magnus Rasmussen, Ilija Ilic; Luke Spencer
Subs: Chris Hubbard
