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A penalty in stoppage time from Atlanta United FC 2 midfielder Andrew Carleton was the only thing separating LouCity from another three points and their sixth-straight win. Stepping up, Carleton sent LouCity ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh the wrong way and the “Boys in Purple” had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Onto Bethlehem Steel FC at the weekend, coach James O’Connor noted that last weekend’s result was a good learning opportunity for his side:
“When you’re dealing with such a great group of guys, you have to manage the situation correctly. The easy thing to do is to come in and say ‘okay lads, we’ve been crap today and done this’ and show an emotional response based on what’s happened. I think that’s something we try not to do. We try to be very analytical and break it down and look at why; to look at it from a non-emotional aspect.”

When & Where

LouCity hosts Bethlehem Steel FC in their fourth home game of the season. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Slugger Field. The hosts enter as one of just two remaining unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference (PGH).

Local station WBNA will air this weekend’s match on the tube while 840 WHAS carries the action over the airwaves. Fans can also follow the match live on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: WBNA
RADIO: 840 WHAS
STREAM: ESPN+

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Last Time Out

Louisville City FC earned a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United FC 2. Forward Cameron Lancaster scored for LouCity (2g, 3gm) while midfielder Andrew Carleton converted a spot kick for the hosts.

After over an hour of scoreless play including a missed penalty from Atlanta, persistence paid off for LouCity in the 66th minute. Streaking down the center, Lancaster settled a pass from Devon “Speedy” Williams before hitting a quick-fire effort past Caraux to open the scoring.

However, again against the run of play, Atlanta was awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Stepping up again, Carleton sent ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh the wrong way to level the scoring with just minutes remaining. Despite great efforts from the “Boys in Purple” to find a goal at the death, they settle or a point and remain unbeaten through five games.

Rewind against BSteel FC

These two last met on Saturday, October 20, 2017, in the first round of the USL Playoffs at Slugger Field.

Goals from Tarek Morad (2), Luke Spencer, and Brian Ownby helped LouCity defeat Bethlehem Steel FC, 4-0, en route to their 2017 USL Cup title.

KY Lottery Kees to the Game

Another LouCity home game, another set of KY Lottery Kees to the Game:
1. Bounce back
Saturday night is another chance for the “Boys in Purple” to earn three points, but their first since a draw in Atlanta snapped their four-match win streak. 

2. Finish the chances
LouCity had over 20 attempts in their latest match, showing their ability to create plenty of opportunities moving forward. Finishing what comes is once again key.

3. Stay focused
Coach O’Connor mentioned in his post-Atlanta United FC 2 press conference that a couple of lapses in concentration led to LouCity dropping two points away from home. As always, part of the team’s focus each week is staying sharp and that will be put to the test again on Saturday night.

Lunazul Party by the Pitch

Check out the LouCity Party by the Pitch, presented by Lunazul Tequila, featuring live music and drink specials through kickoff.

This week’s performers: AJ Clements and Ryan Conroy

James O’Connor’s Press Conference:

On the weekend’s result:
“In regards to the performance, I thought it was excellent. I think when you look at the quality of the chances we created and the play… God Almighty, we had some incredible chances and obviously, we’re very frustrated with the last minute and a couple of lapses of concentration which cost us two points. It certainly felt like we lost the game, the way it finished.”

On Bethlehem Steel FC:
“They’re an interesting team. I’ve got a lot of respect for [coach] Brenden [Burke], he’s done a great job and they’ve obviously made the playoffs last year. They’ve got some really good young players. The challenge when you play Bethlehem is—and obviously for Brenden first and foremost—is he’s never quite sure what players he has available. So for us to then try and figure out which players he’s going to have is really, really hard. I think in regards to finding out or getting an understanding of their personnel, we’re never quite sure when we play. Historically, he’s had pretty much a different team every week. For him, it must be really, really hard to manage.”

On defender Alexis Souahy’s debut:
“It was a fantastic, a really strong performance. I think when you look at a young boy like that to come in, it was basically a seamless transition. When you look at how he played, I thought he provided great depth, some good quality on the ball, great cover, was strong in the air. I thought he performed really well and we were all really pleased for Alexis that he was able to go and do that. It didn’t get highlighted as much because of the way the game finished, and that’s probably something that again, we’ve tried to emphasize to the guys. It’s obviously very disappointing when you give up a goal like that, but equally, you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. You try and understand that we have had a strong performance there.”

On injury news:
“We’re still managing that, to be honest. George [Davis IV] was very unlucky not to start, we erred on the side of caution with a bit of hamstring stiffness. Oscar [Jimenez] cramped up in the game but we think he’ll be okay. Pat [McMahon] is coming back, Luke [Spencer] we’re still trying to manage. So we’re still probably suffering a little bit from those four weeks where the training ground wasn’t right and we were over on the turf. I don’t think people quite understand as much when you’re not consistent in your surfaces and what you train on, the implications that that has. The last three weeks we’ve felt the brunt of that with our guys who have had minor niggles, aches, minor strains, etc. We just need to be mindful of that and hopefully we can be a little more consistent with the areas that we train on.”

Team News

OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture, out for foreseeable future)
QUESTIONABLE – Shaun Francis (hamstring)

Louisville City FC and Heaven Hill Distilleries are excited to announce a partnership that makes Lunazul Tequila the official and exclusive tequila sponsor of LouCity.

Founded in 2002, the blue agave tequila brand will also serve as the exclusive sponsor of the club’s pre-game Party by the Pitch. Rotating performers each home match week, Lunazul’s Party the Pitch features live music and food and drink specials, including the River City Rita featuring Lunazul Tequila.

“As a locally-owned brand, Lunazul is proud to sponsor the home team as they gear up for another record-breaking year,” said MaryCrae Guild, Lunazul Tequila Brand Manager. “Whether in the barrel or on the field, Lunazul and Louisville City FC are fierce, determined players paired up for a championship season.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lunazul to the LouCity family,” stated Patrick Stewart, Senior VP of Sales & Marketing. “It’s an exciting time for this football club. We’re delighted to partner with a top product and brand in Lunazul Tequila as we continue what is sure to be a great 2018 season.”

For more information, visit LunazulTequila.com. To follow along with Lunazul Tequila’s activation and presence at LouCity games, visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Lunazul and Instagram at Instagram.com/lunazultequila. 

– LouisvilleCityFC.com | Follow Louisville City FC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram–

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About Louisville City FC
Since its launch in 2014, Louisville City FC has been committed to serving the community of Louisville and state of Kentucky as the lone professional soccer team.  The 2017 season marked the third year of play for LouCity in the United Soccer League (USL), a professional soccer league based in the United States and Canada. On October 26, the Louisville Metro Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new soccer-specific stadium in the Butchertown neighborhood with a projected opening slated for March 2020.

Finishing in the top five in average attendance in the USL at Slugger Field since 2015, LouCity’s remarkable 2017 campaign included winning the USL Cup in the club’s first appearance in the final. Get the latest news on LouCity FC at LouisvilleCityFC.com and via the club’s  channels on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.­­

TALKING POINTS: #LOUVBST
 

1) RECORD BREAKER?

Louisville City FC midfielder Niall McCabe has the potential to break one of the most cherished records a player can hold on Saturday. Should McCabe start or feature in the weekend’s match against Bethlehem Steel FC, he would earn his 76th appearance in a LouCity shirt, taking over the number one spot on the club’s all-time appearance chart in all competitions.

2) Bring the Noise

Coach James O’Connor was quick to laud the hometown support during his Monday press conference, complimenting the noise and environment LouCity fans create on a matchday at Slugger Field.

“I think the great thing about playing in front of our supporters is the passion that they bring and the noise. It can become a very intimidating place for the opposition, which I think is important,” he said.

“… I think for us, we feel privileged that we’re able to play in front of such passionate supporters and we want to give our best and make the city proud and we continually try to do that.”

Against Bethlehem Steel FC at the weekend, the club is looking for the same gusto from its supporters that it received in games prior. 

TICKETS: LouCity vs. Steel FC | Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.

3) Bounce Back?

Though LouCity remains unbeaten through its opening five contests, O’Connor noted that because of the way last weekend ended in Atlanta, the result felt worse than a draw.

“In regards to the performance, I thought it was excellent,” said O’Connor.

“I think when you look at the quality of the chances we created and the play… God Almighty, we had some incredible chances and obviously, we’re very frustrated with the last minute and a couple of lapses of concentration which cost us two points.”

4) Last time against Steel FC

Last time Louisville City FC hosted Bethlehem Steel FC at Slugger Field, it was the beginning of the club’s USL Cup run towards the tail end of October. Tarek Morad (x2), Brian Ownby, and Luke Spencer were all on the scoresheet that day as LouCity swept through Steel FC, 4-0.

Though commanding a team with largely the same look, O’Connor’s focus on Steel FC at the weekend is primed off nothing more than the potential for three more points. 

“They’re an interesting team. I’ve got a lot of respect for [coach] Brenden [Burke], he’s done a great job and they’ve obviously made the playoffs last year,” he said. “They’ve got some really good young players. The challenge when you play Bethlehem is—and obviously for Brenden first and foremost—is he’s never quite sure what players he has available.”

5) Ready to hit the road

After multiple home games to open the season, LouCity will face a stretch on the road that includes four games away from Slugger in five weeks following the contest against Steel FC. However, O’Connor preached that consistency in the team’s processes will not be sacrificed by the tests of traveling.

“My focus is on Bethlehem really and truly. We want to try to win whether we’re home or away and we focus on the next game, which is Bethlehem,” he said.

“After Bethlehem, we’ll look to the next one which is Indy, but after that, no. Our whole process at this stage is engrained. If we play on a Saturday, we start our processes on Monday and go right the way through.”

Splitting the points with Atlanta United FC 2 at Coolray Field last Saturday, LouCity (4-0-1; 1st) returns home to Slugger Field to face Bethlehem Steel FC (1-2-2; 10th) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

After the team’s 1-1 draw the previous weekend, coach James O’Connor noted that although he was pleased overall, the lapse in concentration at the end that resulted in a 90th-minute penalty from ATL midfielder Andrew Carleton was ultimately most frustrating. 

As the focus turns to Bethlehem Steel FC this Saturday, LouCity’s return to Slugger Field marks their fourth home test in seven weeks. On Monday, O’Connor expressed his excitement about playing in front of the home support again.

“I think the great thing about playing in front of our supporters is the passion that they bring and the noise. It can become a very intimidating place for the opposition, which I think is important,” he said.

“… I think for us, we feel privileged that we’re able to play in front of such passionate supporters and we want to give our best and make the city proud and we continually try to do that.”

O’Connor also touched on LouCity team news, including updates on Luke Spencer and Pat McMahon.

“We’re still managing that, to be honest. George [Davis IV] was very unlucky not to start, we erred on the side of caution with a bit of hamstring stiffness. Oscar [Jimenez] cramped up in the game but we think he’ll be okay. Pat [McMahon] is coming back, Luke [Spencer] we’re still trying to manage,” he said.

“So we’re still probably suffering a little bit from those four weeks where the training ground wasn’t right and we were over on the turf. I don’t think people quite understand as much when you’re not consistent in your surfaces and what you train on, the implications that that has.”

The team pushes forward in search of a result that would propel their unbeaten streak to a new record. Once again, though, O’Connor emphasizes that the focus is only on Bethlehem on Saturday night.

“You try to focus on what you can control … What we need to do is make sure our guys have a good training week, that the training load is correct. And that also we have a good understanding of what their overall philosophy is and what they’re trying to do,” he stated.

“Then it’s about how we are doing with our philosophy and our guys having a good understanding of what we’re trying to do.”

Louisville City FC kicks off against Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Slugger Field. Click here for single game tickets to another Saturday night showdown!

Louisville’s longest-established advertising firm, Doe-Anderson, has been selected to help take the Louisville City FC brand to the next level. The full-service agency will support LouCity FC’s marketing efforts as the club’s following continues to grow and its new stadium in Butchertown breaks ground this spring. 

“This is a critically important time for LouCity FC,” said Doe-Anderson President and CEO Todd Spencer. “Louisville has a tradition of hosting great sports teams and events. And in a relatively short amount of time, LouCity FC has given the people here what they want and expect – championship-level performances. At the same time, there’s so much room to grow the fan base, and that’s what Doe-Anderson will be working on.” 

Louisville City FC is the defending USL champion and is continuing its on-field excellence this season. The club currently sits at the top of the league table as it remains undefeated this season. 

“We are incredibly excited to partner with such a reputable firm and look forward to developing strategies to enhance our brand and grow our fan base,” said Director of Marketing and Communications Tiffany Felts.

“Doe-Anderson will be focusing on group and season ticket sales as well as individual match tickets,” said Spencer. “Part of the strategy will be letting people know that today’s ticket holders will have first shot at seats in the new stadium, which is going to be a world-class soccer venue.

“It’s exciting to work with a group that generates so much excitement, already has a passionate fan base, works diligently to win at all levels and is part of a sport that’s growing in the U.S. on all fronts. We want to be a part of taking LCFC to the next level.”

Doe-Anderson is a full-service, integrated branding and communications agency headquartered in Louisville, Ky., with an additional office in Columbus, Ohio. 

Defender Alexis Souahy made his debut last Saturday, included in coach James O’Connor’s starting XI against Atlanta United FC 2 for the first time since signing in the offseason.

A product of Bowling Green State University, the former Falcon spoke with www.loucity.com about making his debut with the first team.

“It was great. It’s amazing on the first time,” said Alexis. “I was waiting patiently and I got the chance so it was a good moment and now I just want to live it again. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we wanted but we’ll get back and hopefully, we can bounce back next week.”

A native of Seine-Saint-Denis (near Paris), France, Souahy was considered an under-the-radar signing after standing out in the MAC conference for three years in Ohio. From the first day he arrived, though, his own expectations have been high.

“For anyone, it takes a lot of work. Nothing is given. You’ve got to go earn it,” he remarked. “Unfortunately, I had my injury in the preseason that probably pushed me back. So when I came back from my injury I had to probably work harder than ever.”

O’Connor has been impressed with the rookie’s early days with the club, telling the Courier-Journal in March that what struck him in the immediate was the way he fit the team’s mindset and approach.

“The thing about Alexis is that determination for growth, which fits the culture,” O’Connor said. “I think that’s the biggest thing for us, is he wants to get better.” 

With fellow defender and newcomer Pat McMahon out last week due to a nagging leg injury, Souahy is looking to step in and take control of his own destiny.

“I’m just trying to help the team. Hopefully, I can get as many minutes as I can. It was such an amazing moment to be with the guys on the field. I just want to live it again.”