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On the way the match finished:
“At the end, we looked pinned in and looked really tired, to be honest. I think it’s something that we’ve spoken about in trying to be intentional about our energy and I think overall, for us, it was a little bit flat. I thought they came into it in the second half and we started to sit deep and couldn’t really get out. We tried to defend the lead and then got caught. From their standpoint, it’s a good goal but from our standpoint, it’s not a great goal to concede. It’s very disappointing to have the lead and then lose it in the last few minutes again. I’m really disappointed for the lads.”

On NCFC’s quick start:
“When you look at how the game went, [North Carolina FC] started brightly and caused us some problems. We started to come back into it and then I thought in probably the last 10-15 minutes of the first half we actually had some good opportunities. The goal that was disallowed for offside I’ll need to see again, I’m not sure whether it was or it wasn’t. But I thought at the end of the first half we actually had some energy and had some movement that looked as if we looked more like ourselves. We caused them a lot of problems and got some good shots on goal. Second half we started the period like that again but in the last 20 minutes I thought it was all them. We were just trying to hang on and looked really tired and dead in our feet, to be honest with you.”

On Oscar Jimenez’s delivery for the goal:
“It’s fantastic delivery from Oscar [Jimenez]—his quality was really good. I think when you look at Paco [Craig] attacking the ball, it was good from him to get his head on it. Oscar has tremendous delivery and Paco has been doing a really good job of trying to attack the ball and be intentional. From that standpoint, it was pleasing. It’s just that, for the lads, it’s very disappointing when you concede a goal like that again late and you go from an opportunity of having three points to ending up with one. We just need to manage that a little bit better.”

On Ilija Ilic’s form:
“He’s been fantastic. It was a great finish from Illy and he had a great shot in the first half as well where the ‘keeper made a decent save. I think all in all, when you look at his performance, his character was great, his attitude and his work ethic as well. We’re really pleased for Illy. He’s been working exceptionally hard and he’s having a phenomenal season for us.”

On the most important thing for his side with a quick turnaround on Wednesday:
“We need to try and get some energy back. We had a massive game against Nashville [SC] on Wednesday in the Open Cup and again, I think we just need to be coming off those Open Cup games without the flatness on a Saturday. We need to try and rid ourselves of that. I think that’s something we need to be better at. It’s fantastic that we’ve had the Open Cup run, but we don’t want that to be the priority. We need to make sure we’re focusing on both [Open Cup and USL regular season]. That’s something the players deserve enormous credit for, the way they’ve been able to keep going and keep going. It’s just disappointing when you get that in the last couple of minutes when we concede like that.” 

Louisville City FC will return to Louisville with a point in hand following the team’s 2-2 draw with North Carolina FC at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC on Saturday night. The result extends City’s unbeaten run to eight games across all competitions and leaves them in second place in the Eastern Conference on 25 points with 13 games played, five points behind FC Cincinnati (30 pts) on 15 games played.

Defender Paco Craig scored City’s equalizer from a set piece after NC forward Daniel Rios initially put the hosts in front in the first half. Near the hour mark, it was City’s turn to go ahead via a goal from forward Ilija Ilic, before a late equalizer, again from Rios, secured a point for both sides.

What Happened?

LouCity head coach James O’Connor made three changes to the team that beat Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup midweek, opting for the return of goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh in league play with defender Alexis Souahy and midfielder Niall McCabe also sliding in the lineup.

A slow start saw NCFC test Ranjitsingh a few times in the opening minutes, with midfielder Steven Miller getting the first solid look on goal just five minutes in. Eventually firing off a short one-two with a teammate, Miller watched as his right-footed effort clipped the outside of the post and away from goal. However, six minutes later, NCFC found their first goal of the evening. Breaking into the middle, forward Daniel Rios nodded home a pass by Kyle Bekker from close range to go in front.

City was quick to work their way back into the match, though, with a chance coming almost immediately after conceding. Fifteen minutes in, captain Paolo DelPiccolo slipped a gorgeous pass into the box for defender Oscar Jimenez to chase, but despite his best efforts, the chance would go missing. 

In the 36th minute, City forward Ilija Ilic would put the ball in the back of the net after some pinball around the top of the penalty area, but the flag went up on the near side for interference as the ricocheted effort off an NCFC defender was ruled out. Not relenting, though, City broke through just three minutes later.

With 39 minutes gone, Jimenez delivered a perfect ball in from a corner that landed squarely on the head of defender Paco Craig and bounced into the back of the net. The goal was Craig’s second of the season in all competitions and the first in the USL regular season. An onslaught of chances came for City at the end of the first half but they could not capitalize on late pressure and went level into the halftime break.

Coming out the aggressors again, City pushed forward and midfielder Brian Ownby nearly unlocked the NCFC defense just ten minutes into the second half. Collecting a pass from 20 yards out, Ownby settled before unleashing a blast that came right back off the crossbar before NCFC were able to get it away. However, again finding success off pressuring the defense, City found themselves in front three minutes after Ownby’s effort smacked the bar. 

Just before the hour mark, an attacking move from City looked like it had broken down before the ball somehow fell loosely to Ilic in the box. Turning around a few defenders, Ilic pulled himself away from goal and produced a clever finish at the back post to give his side the lead.

As NCFC continued to pile bodies forward, reinforcements for City in the form of Shaun Francis, Cameron Lancaster, and Pat McMahon were brought on. The home side kept knocking on goal as time ticked on, and in the 87th minute, the game’s final goal came in the form of an NCFC equalizer. Substitute midfielder Tiyi Shipalane found Rios again and again the forward produced, beating Ranjitsingh for the second time on the evening.

Despite an incredible effort in coming back from down a goal, City could not secure all three points and instead keeps an important point on the road in returning home.

O’Connor’s side sees a quick turnaround with two home matches inside four days as they welcome Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., and New York Red Bulls II on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., both at Slugger Field. Tickets for both contests are available for as low as $12 at LouisvilleCityFC.com.

The Key Points:

• NCFC forward Daniel Rios put his side in front after 11 minutes
• City thought they found an equalizer in the 36th minute only for the flag to go up for offside
• City defender Paco Craig would not be denied as he equalized off an Oscar Jimenez corner
• City forward Ilija Ilic scored his fifth goal of the regular season when he put his team up, 2-1, just before the hour mark
• An equalizer from Rios gifted his side a point in the 87th minute

James O’Connor’s post-match comments:

On the way the match finished:
“At the end, we looked pinned in and looked really tired, to be honest. I think it’s something that we’ve spoken about in trying to be intentional about our energy and I think overall, for us, it was a little bit flat. I thought they came into it in the second half and we started to sit deep and couldn’t really get out. We tried to defend the lead and then got caught. From their standpoint, it’s a good goal but from our standpoint it’s not a great goal to concede. It’s very disappointing to have the lead and then lose it in the last few minutes again. I’m really disappointed for the lads.”

On Oscar Jimenez’s delivery for the goal:
“It’s fantastic delivery from Oscar [Jimenez]—his quality was really good. I think when you look at Paco [Craig] attacking the ball, it was good from him to get his head on it. Oscar has tremendous delivery and Paco has been doing a really good job of trying to attack the ball and be intentional. From that standpoint, it was pleasing. It’s just that, for the lads, it’s very disappointing when you concede a goal like that again late and you go from an opportunity of having three points to ending up with one. We just need to manage that a little bit better.”

On Ilija Ilic’s form:
“He’s been fantastic. It was a great finish from Illy and he had a great shot in the first half as well where the ‘keeper made a decent save. I think all in all, when you look at his performance, his character was great, his attitude and his work ethic as well. We’re really pleased for Illy. He’s been working exceptionally hard and he’s having a phenomenal season for us.”

On the most important thing for his side with a quick turnaround on Wednesday:
“We need to try and get some energy back. We had a massive game against Nashville [SC] on Wednesday in the Open Cup and again, I think we just need to be coming off those Open Cup games without the flatness on a Saturday. We need to try and rid ourselves of that. I think that’s something we need to be better at. It’s fantastic that we’ve had the Open Cup run, but we don’t want that to be the priority. We need to make sure we’re focusing on both [Open Cup and USL regular season]. That’s something the players deserve enormous credit for, the way they’ve been able to keep going and keep going. It’s just disappointing when you get that in the last couple of minutes when we concede like that.” 

Injury Report:
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)

North Carolina FC 2 : 2 Louisville City FC
Saturday, June 23, 2018
WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC
88 degrees / sunny
Attendance: 

Scoring Summary:
NC – Daniel Rios (Kyle Bekker) 11’
LOU – Paco Craig (Oscar Jimenez) 39’
LOU – Ilija Ilic 59’
NC – Daniel Rios (Tiyi Shipalane) 87’

Disciplinary Summary:
LOU – Daniel Rios 47’
LOU – Niall McCabe 72’
NC – Marcel Kandziora 90+3’

Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch (Pat McMahon 83’), Paco Craig, Alexis Souahy; Paolo DelPiccolo; Kyle Smith, Devon “Speedy” Williams, Brian Ownby (Shaun Francis 58’), Niall McCabe; Ilija Ilic (Cameron Lancaster 70’)

Bench: Chris Hubbard, Tim Dobrowolski, George Davis IV, Magnus Rasmussen

Louisville City FC returns to USL regular season action on the back of an impressive 2-1 win over Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup. The result saw them advance to the Round of 8 in the competition, taking them to face Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire in mid-July.

Never ones to look past the immediate challenge, though, City has all eyes on Saturday night and a trip to face North Carolina FC away from home.

When & Where
The match will take place on Saturday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

The match will be aired on WBNA-TV 21, as well as streamed on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the match on 840 WHAS. Fans can also follow #NCvLOU on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: WBNA-TV 21
RADIO: 840 WHAS
STREAM: ESPN+

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Last Time Out
Louisville City FC’s last USL regular season contest was a wild one with the team sharing the spoils with Penn FC in a 3-3 draw at Slugger Field.

In odd circumstances, Penn FC took the lead inside 15 seconds as a ball played over the top found its way to Lucky Mkosana, who beat City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh from close range. Quick on the draw, City responded with a goal from Paolo DelPiccolo and two from Ilija Ilic to put themselves in front, 3-1, going into the break.

However, a second goal from Lucky Mkosana and a late equalizer from Penn FC’s Prince Baffoe saw the visitors steal a point in their only trip to Louisville this year.

– U.S. OPEN CUP: CITY TO TRAVEL TO CHICAGO FOR QUARTERFINAL CLASH AT TOYOTA PARK –

Rewind against North Carolina FC
This will be the first time this season that LouCity and North Carolina FC will cross paths.

City and NCFC were originally scheduled to meet on Sat., March 24, but inclement weather postponed the clash in Louisville until October.

Kentucky Lottery Kees to the Game
Tonight’s action is in North Carolina as City looks to keep its unbeaten streak in place. A few KY Lottery Kees to the Game for #LOUvNC:

• Hold the line
• Move the ball into space
• Limit NCFC’s time in possession

James O’Connor’s pre-match press conference:

On pushing through injuries in league play:
“Everything matters to us. When there’s a win at stake, we’re interested. The guys deserve enormous credit. When you look at it, Cam [Lancaster] out, Luke [Spencer] out, I thought Ilija [Ilic] was exceptional. Brian [Ownby], they’re movement. George’s [Davis IV] work ethic. He had a little bit of a nick in his groin, to be able to just power on. It’s not a night to just say, ‘Okay, just one individual was great’. I think that tonight really sums up the mentality with just how good the players are. They are all more than capable of finding way to win, and they showed that again tonight. Regardless of who’s out there, we’re going to give everything to try and win. I can’t tell you how impressive it is when you’ve got a group of players that can do that. I’m just exceptionally proud of them all.”

On what he’s proud of after Nashville:
“Yeah, I thought at times we needed a little bit of composure. I thought we moved the ball well at times, but sometimes then forced it a little bit. I think it was just so pleasing to see the guys intelligence to be able – especially when it’s so humid – to take the ball and see the opening and then to go through it. So it there was some good movement, good play at times which is a testament to the guys. We’ve got such a fantastic group of players that we can be proud of.”

On looking to continue the club’s good form:
“It’s incredible. I think for the whole football club, for the community, for the supporters, for the owners, for John [Neace], for the players. It’s just really, really fantastic. Fantastic achievement for us and a massive win. Really it’s great.”

Team News
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
QUESTIONABLE – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)

Louisville City FC advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals with a resounding 2-1 win over Nashville SC in front of nearly 4,500 at Lynn Stadium on Wednesday night. City will face Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Wednesday, July 18, with a time yet to be confirmed.

More information will be available on the USOC Round of 8 in the coming days on LouisvilleCityFC.com.

What Happened?

The opening few minutes saw LouCity and Nashville SC trade time in their respective final thirds, though neither side would register a shot on goal early on. Eventually testing each ‘keeper, it was City who etched their name on the scoresheet first on a goal from defender Paco Craig in the 24thminute, assisted by Oscar Jimenez. 

A few half chances went to Nashville as attackers Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto continued to try and squeeze past City’s backline but to no avail. At the halftime interval, City clung to a 1-0 advantage.

The second half started off with a literal bang as Mensah got around the defense and attempt to chip City ‘keeper Tim Dobrowolski, only to hit the side netting, before unfurling a clever effort that clipped the post just minutes later. Looking to continue putting the pressure on the visitors, though, City moved effortlessly from defense to attack in the 58thminute, finding their second goal of the night. Breaking ahead, midfielder George Davis IV continued a multi-pass move that played in captain Paolo DelPiccolo in the box. Turning and firing past Pickens, DelPiccolo took City’s advantage to 2-0 for the time being.  

Moments later, Nashville found their only goal of the night off a well-worked move that saw Dobrowolski eventually beaten by Matt LaGrassa in the 68th minute. Reinforcements were brought on in the form of Magnus Rasmussen and Shaun Francis and City was able to repel a number of Nashville attacks in the closing minutes to stay ahead. At fulltime, LouCity advanced to the furthest point in the U.S. Open Cup in club history by securing a spot in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals.

LouCity looks ahead to a trip to North Carolina FC this weekend at WakeMed Soccer Park with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The “Boys in Purple” will return to action at Slugger Field on Wednesday, June 27 with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff set against Riverhounds SC before a Saturday night clash with New York Red Bulls 2 at 7:30 p.m., also at Slugger Field. For tickets and more information, visit louisvillecityfc.com.

The Key Points:

• Defender Paco Craig nodded home the opener in the 24th minute, assisted by Oscar Jimenez
• Captain Paolo DelPiccolo pushed City’s advantage to 2-0 with a strike in the 58th minute
• Nashville’s Matt LaGrassa pulled one back for the visitors in the 68th minute

Injury Report:
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture)
OUT – Luke Spencer (knee)
OUT – Cameron Lancaster (shoulder)

Louisville City FC 2 : 1 Nashville SC
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Lynn Stadium | Louisville, KY
85 degrees / sunny
Attendance: 4,463

Scoring Summary:
LOU – Paco Craig (Oscar Jimenez) 24’
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo (George Davis IV) 58’
NSH – Matt LaGrassa (London Woodberry) 68’

Disciplinary Summary:
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo 35’
LOU – Brian Ownby 52’

Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Tim Dobrowolski (GK); Oscar Jimenez (Shaun Francis 66’), Sean Totsch, Paco Craig, Pat McMahon; Paolo DelPiccolo; Kyle Smith, Devon “Speedy” Williams, George Davis IV, Brian Ownby (Magnus Rasmussen 75’); Ilija Ilic

Bench: Chris Hubbard, Alexis Souahy

Now 12 games into the USL season and in the midst of a Lamar Hunt Open Cup run, Louisville City have seen early success in their title-defending campaign.

The club’s 7-2-3 league record is good for second in the Eastern Conference following Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Penn FC, though the “Boys in Purple” have games in hand on the rest of the conference.

While Louisville City has yet to complete a match with an entirely healthy roster, the club has seen a number of players taking on unexpected roles.

Of those players is forward Ilija Ilic who has shown his striking ability in the absence of teammates Cameron Lancaster and Luke Spencer, though Ilic’s performance is of no marvel to head coach James O’Connor.

“I know how good the players are. We’ve got really good players, so I think for me that wasn’t the surprise,” said O’Connor. “It was great to see that, but we see so much of it in training.”

A true test comes in the form of a five-game stretch over the next 15 days including Wednesday night’s Open Cup match against Nashville SC.

For midfielder Niall McCabe, a continuation of early success comes down to the club’s overall fitness developed during preseason training and team character.

“It comes down to our mentality, character, and training,” said the Irishman. “We train at a very high intensity and we’re all fit. We have players that can step in and do the job as well as anybody.”

The Open Cup Round of 16 matchup will be Louisville City’s third go-around with one of the USL’s latest additions in Nashville.

Both sides won 2-0 on their home turf, with Wednesday’s match being held at the University of Louisville’s Lynn Stadium.

“We’ll come into the Nashville game with expectations to try and get to the next round and keep progressing,” said McCabe.

Though the Round of 16 contest is the last all-USL match in the Open Cup, the opponent’s level of play has no affect on the club’s mentality.

“We’re trying to beat whatever team is put in front of us and put in good performances,” said McCabe. “It’s just another game for us and hopefully things come out well for us and we’re through to the other side.”