Louisville City FC bowed out of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup after a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Fire in the competition’s Quarterfinals at Toyota Park on Wednesday. The match was the first in which City conceded four goals all season in any competition as the team’s focus shifts back to USL play this weekend.
What Happened?
Playing the host, Chicago tested City early and found their way on the scoresheet thanks to forward Nemanja Nikolic’s headed goal from an Alexander Katai pass in the 16th minute. Turning from provider to scorer, Katai then added the Fire’s second goal from close range following a simple layoff from midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Facing a two-goal deficit at the halftime interval, City came out unchanged and looked to test Fire ‘keeper Richard Sanchez early on. Playing their way into the half, City subs Ilija Ilic, Magnus Rasmussen, and Shaun Francis looked to inject life into the team’s attack, though they would not ultimately beat Sanchez on the evening.
Instead, late red cards were shown to Kyle Smith and Magnus Rasmussen to take City down to nine men approaching stoppage time, and goals from the Fire’s Diego Campos and Elliot Collier proved nails in the coffin as LouCity’s Open Cup run ended in Bridgeview.
City now returns to Louisville to face the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, July 21, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Slugger Field. Tickets are available for as low as $16 by calling (502) 384-8799, option 2, or online at www.loucity.com.
The Key Points:
- Nemanja Nikolic’s headed goal opened the scoring after 16 minutes
- The Fire doubled their advantage via Alexander Katai after the half-hour mark
- Stoppage-time goals from Diego Campos, Elliot Collier sealed City’s fate
Injury Report:
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
Chicago Fire 4 : 0 Louisville City FC
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Toyota Park | Bridgeview, IL
78 degrees / sunny
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Alexander Katai) 16’
CHI – Alexander Katai (Bastian Schweinsteiger) 33’
CHI – Diego Campos 90’
CHI – Elliot Collier (Jorge Corrales) 90+2
Disciplinary Summary:
LOU – Paco Craig 62’
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo 64’
LOU – Kyle Smith 84’ (R)
CHI – Elliot Collier 86’
LOU – Sean Totsch 89’
LOU – Magnus Rasmussen 90+2 (R)
CHI – Tony Tchani 90+2
Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Paco Craig, Pat McMahon (Shaun Francis 73’); Paolo DelPiccolo; Kyle Smith, Devon “Speedy” Williams, Brian Ownby, George Davis IV (Ilija Ilic 58’); Cameron Lancaster (Magnus Rasmussen 60’)
Bench: Chris Hubbard, Tim Dobrowolski, Shaun Francis, Ilija Ilic, Niall McCabe, Magnus Rasmussen
