By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC defeated Charleston Battery by a 4-1 score Saturday night with a second half sweep in front of almost 12,000 home supporters.
Despite an early barrage of chances from LouCity, Charleston scored first when winger DZ Harmon drove a low cross past the face of the goal in the 26th minute, putting it on a platter for Battery No. 9 Augustine Williams. City’s shotmaking momentum didn’t falter, though, as Niall McCabe’s 30th minute corner popped out to an on-form Brian Ownby at the top of the box. His volley took a deflection on its way, sending the Charleston keeper the wrong direction to equalize.
Winger Enoch Mushagalusa’s 52nd-minute drive and finish, after receiving a pinpoint through ball from Amadou Dia, put the boys in purple ahead 2-1. Following a Battery red card, City striker Wilson Harris got back on the scoresheet for the first time since June 19, doubling his team’s advantage after robbing a Charleston defender and finishing low. City center-back Sean Totsch capped off the night with a brilliant guided volley on Dia’s long-distance cross in the 89th minute.
The two teams’ last meeting was back in April of this season, ending in a 1-1 draw at Charleston in a week when LouCity had played three games. Against the Battery on Saturday, a fresher squad attempted a staggering 25 shots, with 11 landing on target.
LouCity has now taken 11 points from losing positions in the USL Championship this year. Only two teams — Sacramento Republic FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies — have more. The boys in purple are on an eight-game unbeaten tear, inching closer to their season-best streak of 10 which stretched from March 12 to May 4.
“It was a good response for being down a goal,” coach Danny Cruz said after the win. “I’ve said it before, but we have to execute. I thought that in the first half, we should’ve finished our chances. I was happy with the response after half time. I’m really happy with three points in front of a packed house.”
Here’s more of what we learned from the result…
Need for speed
In an interview leading up to Saturday’s match, Charleston coach Conor Casey described LouCity as an organized, attacking and fast team. Mushagalusa demonstrated that as his tide-turning goal was a result of blistering pace and a clever move to beat a defender and goalkeeper, netting his seventh of the season.
City’s front line — Mushagalusa, Harris and Ownby — all scored, also combining for 11 shots and five chances created.
Not only did the hosts’ attack produce quality chances in possession, but it also organized to put pressure on Charleston’s buildup play. Harris’ goal was a result of constant pressure and patience when out of possession. Mushagalusa, Harris, and Ownby tallied five tackles, 12 won duels, and three recoveries in the final third.
Chances from wide play
LouCity put in an abundant 25 crosses on the night, lifting its average crosses per game to 19. According to Stats Perform, 78% of LouCity’s possession was on the wings. Additionally, the boys in purple took 15 corner kicks, often the result of wide play near the opposition’s goal.
In a game where Ownby shifted back to his normal wide position (after taking over at center forward as Harris missed time due to injury), the 32-year-old City veteran provided four crosses and four created chances. His eight goals on the year are a career-high in his 11th season as a professional.
“He’s having the best year he’s had since I’ve been here,” Cruz said of Ownby. “He’s an important piece. I’m really proud of where he’s at, and my expectation is that it continues because he has the quality to do that.”
“The [personal] stats are great, but I just want to win and that’s what this team is about,” Ownby added. “As a winger and attacker, I want to create as many chances as possible to make the team win. Even with my age, I feel like I have some years left in me; I haven’t lost a step.”
LouCity outside back Amadou Dia also stood out on the wings against Charleston, grabbing a pair of assists, creating three chances and putting in three crosses.
