Louisville City FC returns to USL regular season action on the back of an impressive 2-1 win over Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup. The result saw them advance to the Round of 8 in the competition, taking them to face Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire in mid-July.
Never ones to look past the immediate challenge, though, City has all eyes on Saturday night and a trip to face North Carolina FC away from home.
When & Where
The match will take place on Saturday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The match will be aired on WBNA-TV 21, as well as streamed on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the match on 840 WHAS. Fans can also follow #NCvLOU on Twitter & Instagram.
TV: WBNA-TV 21
RADIO: 840 WHAS
STREAM: ESPN+
DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android
Last Time Out
Louisville City FC’s last USL regular season contest was a wild one with the team sharing the spoils with Penn FC in a 3-3 draw at Slugger Field.
In odd circumstances, Penn FC took the lead inside 15 seconds as a ball played over the top found its way to Lucky Mkosana, who beat City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh from close range. Quick on the draw, City responded with a goal from Paolo DelPiccolo and two from Ilija Ilic to put themselves in front, 3-1, going into the break.
However, a second goal from Lucky Mkosana and a late equalizer from Penn FC’s Prince Baffoe saw the visitors steal a point in their only trip to Louisville this year.
– U.S. OPEN CUP: CITY TO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO FOR QUARTERFINAL CLASH AT TOYOTA PARK –
Rewind against North Carolina FC
This will be the first time this season that LouCity and North Carolina FC will cross paths.
City and NCFC were originally scheduled to meet on Sat., March 24, but inclement weather postponed the clash in Louisville until October.
Kentucky Lottery Kees to the Game
Tonight’s action is in North Carolina as City looks to keep its unbeaten streak in place. A few KY Lottery Kees to the Game for #LOUvNC:
- Hold the line
- Move the ball into space
- Limit NCFC’s time in possession
James O’Connor’s pre-match press conference:
On pushing through injuries in league play:
“Everything matters to us. When there’s a win at stake, we’re interested. The guys deserve enormous credit. When you look at it, Cam [Lancaster] out, Luke [Spencer] out, I thought Ilija [Ilic] was exceptional. Brian [Ownby], they’re movement. George’s [Davis IV] work ethic. He had a little bit of a nick in his groin, to be able to just power on. It’s not a night to just say, ‘Okay, just one individual was great’. I think that tonight really sums up the mentality with just how good the players are. They are all more than capable of finding way to win, and they showed that again tonight. Regardless of who’s out there, we’re going to give everything to try and win. I can’t tell you how impressive it is when you’ve got a group of players that can do that. I’m just exceptionally proud of them all.”
On what he’s proud of after Nashville:
“Yeah, I thought at times we needed a little bit of composure. I thought we moved the ball well at times, but sometimes then forced it a little bit. I think it was just so pleasing to see the guys intelligence to be able – especially when it’s so humid – to take the ball and see the opening and then to go through it. So it there was some good movement, good play at times which is a testament to the guys. We’ve got such a fantastic group of players that we can be proud of.”
On looking to continue the club’s good form:
“It’s incredible. I think for the whole football club, for the community, for the supporters, for the owners, for John [Neace], for the players. It’s just really, really fantastic. Fantastic achievement for us and a massive win. Really it’s great.”
Team News
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
QUESTIONABLE – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)
