A heartstopper from George Davis IV was the one thing to separate LouCity from a fourth straight win and a draw at home against the Richmond Kickers. After a penalty from Kyle Smith in the 64th minute brought them level, GDIV powered home a winner in stoppage time to make it four straight victories to open the 2018 campaign, LouCity’s best-ever start.
However, James O’Connor has dismissed interest in hyping his team up on their current form. Instead, the focus lies on Atlanta United FC 2 this Saturday night:
“Honestly, there’s nothing in [the perfect start]. I’m focused on our next game. We’re looking at Atlanta, a very good team with young players and plenty of pace and ability. It will be a very good game and a tough game but we’re looking forward to it.”
When & Where
LouCity flies to Atlanta to face ATLUTD2 at 7:00 p.m. at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The hosts enter as one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference (LOU, PGH).
Local station WBNA will air this weekend’s match on your screen while 790 KRD carries the action over the airwaves. Fans can also follow the match live on Twitter & Instagram.
TV: WBNA
RADIO: 790 KRD
STREAM: ESPN+
WATCH PARTY: Falls City Taproom — 901 E Liberty St, Louisville, KY
DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android
Last Time Out
Louisville City FC beat Richmond Kickers, 2-1, thanks to a penalty in the second half from Kyle Smith and a stoppage-time winner from George Davis IV.
Against the run of play, the visitors would take the lead in the 18th minute through attacker Brian Shriver. Midfielder Raul Gonzalez played a pass forward for Shriver, who latched on and clipped a neat effort past Ranjitsingh to break the deadlock.
The course of the match changed in the 64th minute, though, when LouCity was awarded a penalty won by forward Cameron Lancaster. Stepping up to the spot, Kyle Smith sent Spangenberg the wrong way to convert and level the score.
As chances piled up for the hosts towards the closing stages, the “Boys in Purple” got a crucial goal from George Davis IV mere seconds into stoppage time. Substitute forward Ilija Ilic rolled a ball through to the left flank where Davis IV’s cutting run saw him angle in perfect position. Taking a touch to settle, Davis IV powered a rocket to the far post past Spangenberg to ultimately seal a 2-1 win during Black Out Night at Slugger Field.
PHOTOS: LouCity trains ahead of ATL trip
Rewind against ATL
One of few times we can say this in 2018, but Saturday night’s showdown in Atlanta will be the first time ATLUTD2 and LouCity will go head-to-head.
KY Lottery Kees to the Game
On the back of four wins in four games, a few Kees to #ATLvLOU presented by Kentucky Lottery:
1. Stay focused on the road
Saturday night’s contest at ATL2 will only be LouCity’s second road trip of the season, taking down FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium in their first trip two weeks ago.
Slugger Field has been home to three incredible wins so far, but with a flight ahead, the team’s preparations have surrounded keeping their focus and staying sharp this weekend.
2. Trust the process
The unbeaten start would be a distraction to some, but O’Connor stressed that his team is trusting their own processes in the early goings.
“It gets very dull for everyone in the media but for us, we have our process and we stick to it, and that’s it,” said the manager.
3. Feel out the pace
One of the most difficult tasks in facing an MLS 2 side is dealing with the personnel shifts from week-to-week between first and second teams.
What O’Connor does know, however, is that this Atlanta team carries a good bit of pace matched with skill. One of the other keys for his side will be feeling out the pace at the start of the match and to make sure their tempo never drops.
James O’Connor’s Press Conference:
On coming home with a result:
“I always think you try to get three points, whether it’s on the road or at home. It’s something that everyone is striving for. Every team in the world is trying to get three points when they’re playing in a game. For us, it’s more about the process, the level of performance, and then equally trying to make sure we impact the game in the way that we want to.”
On feeling a target on their back:
“I think the target is always going to be on our back. People want to talk about the start to the season and that’s great but for us, the process never changes. Again, it gets very dull for everyone in the media but for us, we have our process and we stick to it, and that’s it.”
On team news/injury updates:
“No news. We’ve been really pleased with how people have been training, so we’re excited and looking forward to the game.”
Team News
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture, out for foreseeable future)
