By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC defeated New York Red Bulls II in a 6-0 thrashing Saturday night in front of 10,000 home supporters at Lynn Family Stadium.
After a few early chances for the home side, LouCity forward Brian Ownby opened the scoring for the night in the 14th minute with a stunning volley from the top of the box after the ball fell to him in an aerial duel. Just nine minutes later, midfielder Jorge Gonzalez doubled his team’s advantage when a poorly-cleared corner kick fell to him, sliding the ball low and to the far post from within the box.
It was a sign of things to come as Enoch “Matiti” Mushagalusa went on to register a hat trick, Ownby finished with two goals and two assists, and in the end the boys and purple equaled their largest margin of victory ever in a USL Championship game.
“I think it was a fantastic night from the group,” coach Danny Cruz said after the win. “We obviously created a lot of opportunities, and I’m really, really proud of how we handled (the game) from a professionalism standpoint — not letting up, keeping the right mentality and sticking to our principles.
“I think it’s fair to say that we could have and should have had a few more (goals).”
The result kept City atop the Eastern Conference, one point clear of Memphis 901 FC, and grew the club’s current winning streak to four games. Next is a crucial trip to play second-place Memphis on Saturday night.
First, here’s what we learned from the victory over New York…
Own(by)ing a new role
With LouCity strikers Cameron Lancaster and Wilson Harris sidelined due to injury in recent weeks, Ownby — who normally uses his pace to excel in the wide areas — has shifted to the center forward role.
Last time out against Birmingham Legion FC, Harris exited in the first half with hurt ribs, forcing Cruz to place Ownby in the No. 9 role, where the 31-year-old drew the winning penalty in the 80th minute. Clearly, Ownby continued his form into Saturday’s contest against New York. His pair of assists moved him into a tie for most across the USL Championship this year.
“I think [Ownby’s] done an excellent job in both phases of the game: how he presses and creating opportunities,” Cruz said. “He scored a few goals tonight that he certainly deserved and had a couple of really unselfish assists.”
Ownby also took on the center forward role earlier this season when City went down a man in the first half at Birmingham and salvaged a draw. His return there has coincided with the club’s current winning streak started in mid-June.
“I thought I was a bit unlucky the past couple of games to not snag one,” Ownby said of a goal. “Obviously, drawing some pens, but tonight, I really just wanted to get one for myself and the club. Once that one happened, everyone just started playing free and with joy and I think you could see it out there on the field.”
Mushagalusa makes his mark
Signed in the preseason from Sporting KC II, Mushagalusa has seen his minutes grow in recent weeks as he settles in with City. He became the first winger — and fourth player overall — to score a hat trick in purple, joining the likes of Matt Fondy, Chandler Hoffman and Lancaster.
“In every club, you got to earn it — to earn the trust from the guys and the coaches,” Mushagalusa said of his playing time. “Danny trusting me, it’s amazing. I’m glad to play here.”
Besides his triplet of strikes, Mushagalusa numbered five shots, an assist and created two big chances for his side. Ownby and Mushagalusa shared the Man of the Match award for their performances against Red Bulls II.
“I think he’s continuing to develop every single day,” Cruz said. “The locker room plays an important role in that. Our captains in Paolo (DelPiccolo), Corben (Bone) and Niall (McCabe) — they do a great job every single day of leading the group. I think when you look at his progression from the first day and preseason to where he is now, he’ll be the first to tell you he’s certainly growing.
“Brian puts him in really good positions to finish his chances. I’ve been really happy with his improvement and his development with a group and specifically on the defensive side of the ball. He’s certainly getting to the point where he understands where we need to be defensively and his role and responsibility and that’s something that I definitely have been proud of.”
More takeaways
Notably, youngster Ray Serrano and seasoned City veteran McCabe opened up quality chances for their team. Combined, the pair created seven big chances, 35 passes into the attacking third and 12 crosses. While McCabe directly assisted LouCity’s third goal, Serrano played a key part in the buildup and execution of the fourth and sixth goals.
Overall, complacency wasn’t a problem as Cruz emphasized to his side the importance of a clean sheet.
“When you put six goals in the back of the net and, more importantly, you get a shutout, that’s certainly something you are proud of as a manager,” he said.
In their last four games, the boys in purple have only allowed two goals past them while scoring a combined 13 on opponents, bringing their season total to 40. LouCity is now one goal off the most lethal attack in the USL Championship — San Diego Loyal has scored 41 goals in their 2022 campaign— while building on a league-best +26 goal differential.
While blowouts as such may not always provide the team something to improve upon going forward, they do give it confidence on all parts of the pitch. For example, although Ownby is playing a fairly unfamiliar position, his current form will certainly aid him in moments when composure in front of goal is critical. Clean-sheet performances surely give Cruz’s backline a boost of assuredness as well. The back four continue to smother teams, tallying a combined five tackles, 10 clearances, and 14 won duels against New York.
Cruz provided a positive update on the club’s regular strikers, saying of Lancaster, “It was my decision not to put Cam in the 18 tonight, mostly just to protect him.” He added that, “Wilson is still day to day. We’re hopeful that he’ll be back this week in training.”
Ownby wrapped up the night by saying, “The movement, the pressure; I think it was a really good collective [performance] tonight. I’m glad to get on the scoresheet and give [Mushagalusa] a couple of goals as well.”
