With just one point separating Louisville City FC from winning a second-consecutive Players’ Shield title, head coach Danny Cruz has made three changes to the starting XI for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game against Miami FC.
Forwards Phillip Goodrum and Jansen Wilson headline the changes. With 18 goals and seven assists between them this season, the duo has been integral to LouCity’s league-leading attack, which has scored 54 goals, tied with the Charleston Battery for the most in the USL Championship.
For the club’s leading scorer Goodrum, Saturday marks his first start in six weeks — since Aug. 30 at Indy Eleven. The 28-year-old suffered an injury in that game and has made three appearances off the bench since recovering. He’s not scored since bagging a brace on Aug. 16 at Miami FC, Saturday’s opponent.
Wilson, meanwhile, hasn’t seen action for LouCity since Aug. 20, a 3-1 home win over the Las Vegas Light in which he registered an assist. The 24-year-old second-year pro from Elizabethtown, Ky. has registered at least one goal or assist in six of his last eight appearances.
The third change comes in goal, with Danny Faundez holding down the fort while regular starter Damian Las serves a red-card suspension. Faundez played 17 minutes off the bench after Las was sent off in last week’s 2-0 win over rival Indy Eleven, making three saves. The 32-year-old has saved nine of the 10 shots he has faced over four appearances this season.
Elsewhere, LouCity’s lineup is consistent from last week’s win.
Adrien Perez retains his place in the attack, alongside Goodrum and Wilson. The 29-year-old left-footed attacker has registered three shots in each of the last two games, both starts.
Taylor Davila, who scored last week against Indy, starts for a team-high 28th time this year. He is the only player to start every Louisville City league contest this season.
Jamaican international Kevon Lambert has cemented himself as Cruz’s preferred midfield partner for Davila. The 28-year-old Real Salt Lake loanee has started in each of his last 12 LouCity appearances, a streak that dates to June. He registered his second assist of the season last week.
The backline remains unchanged. Amadou Dia, who scored the opener last week on Lambert’s assist, starts at left wingback and Aiden McFadden at right wingback. The center back trio of captain Kyle Adams, rookie Josh Jones, and the USL Championship’s record appearance holder Sean Totsch has a combined 63 starts this season.
On the bench, LouCity all-time greats Brian Ownby, Niall McCabe and Cameron Lancaster bring championship experience, while Ray Serrano has 10 goal contributions this season.
Louisville City will clinch the Players’ Shield with a draw or win Saturday and could clinch even with a loss if the Charleston Battery drop points elsewhere. The club would become the first since 2012 to win back-to-back Players’ Shields, awarded to the regular season champion.
Team news vs. Miami FC
12 – Danny Faundez
13 – Amadou Dia
32 – Kyle Adams (c)
24 – Josh Jones
4 – Sean Totsch
2 – Aiden McFadden
17 – Taylor Davila
31 – Kevon Lambert
25 – Jansen Wilson
16 – Adrien Perez
9 – Phillip Goodrum
Available subs: 30 – Ryan Troutman; 3 – Jake Morris, 7 – Ray Serrano, 10 – Brian Ownby, 11 – Niall McCabe, 27 – Evan Davila, 53 – Cameron Lancaster, 80 – Hayden Stamps, 83 – Brandon Dayes
