News

After resuming play from Saturday’s match against Cincinnati with the visitors up 0-1 and 37:43 on the clock, LouCity could not find the goal they needed as they dropped the final Dirty River Derby of the regular season to Cincinnati in front of just over 10,000 at Slugger Field.

What Happened?
On a night with much rain in the forecast, the “Boys in Purple” entered Saturday’s match in search for their first win at Slugger Field since the mid-July matchup with the Charleston Battery.

Louisville City began Saturday’s third and final go-around in the Dirty River Derby with a Cameron Lancaster rip from midfield to kickoff the match, coming up short but showing City’s want for a third win against foe FC Cincinnati.

Slipping and sliding across the field, both sides spent the first 22 minutes in a back-and-forth battle for possession before FC Cincinnati opened the score sheet.

A ball from Cincinnati’s Manu Ledesma lead midfielder Corben Bone into the penalty box, who eventually slipped one past Louisville City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh and into the back of the net.

After fifteen more minutes of play, the match was delayed due to lightning in the area. The match would be suspended until Tuesday, September 11, with the game clock set to 37:43 as play resumed.

With the remainder of the match kicked off, Louisville City pressed in an attempt to strike before the break but came up emptyhanded and headed into the half down a goal.

As the second half got underway, it became clear FC Cincinnati was attempting to keep a high possession time for the next 45 minutes.

A 58th-minute attack from City’s George Davis IV created enough space for the midfielder to get a shot off, one that would be deflected by Cincinnati ‘keeper Spencer Richey.

Richey’s deflection found City’s Devon “Speedy” Williams in the middle of the penalty box, but Williams’s follow-up flew just above the crossbar and out of play.

Another scoring opportunity would come for the “Boys in Purple” when Oscar Jimenez’s 66th minute run finished with a foul above the box once again. The ever-dangerous forward Cameron Lancaster stepped up and delivered a beautiful shot, though the bending free kick wound up just right of the far post.

A pressing attack from Louisville City would see the club finish with nearly 60% possession, but a plethora of second-half chances never broke the stingy play from the Cincinnati back line.

Up next for Louisville City is a road match as the club travels to Pittsburgh to take on the Riverhounds. Kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

The Key Points:

• Though several days passed between the original kickoff and resuming of play, the only change to either lineups was a bench change as Chris Hubbard replaced Jose Carranza.
• With Louisville City’s loss at Slugger, the club has now gone five games without a win at home.

Injury Report:
OUT – Brian Ownby
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen

FC Cincinnati 1 : 0 Louisville City FC
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville, KY
71 degrees / overcast
Attendance: 10,009

Scoring Summary:
FCC – Corben Bone (assist – Manu Ledesma) 23’

Disciplinary Summary:
FCC – Spencer Richey 90’+2
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo 90’+3

Starting XI (4-3-3): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Kyle Smith, Paco Craig, Alexis Souahy (Richard Ballard 81’), Oscar Jimenez; Devon “Speedy” Williams, Paolo DelPiccolo (c), Niall McCabe (Shaun Francis 65’), Ilija Ilic (Luke Spencer 71’), George Davis IV; Cameron Lancaster 

Bench: Tim Dobrowolski, Chris Hubbard, Sean Totsch, Pat McMahon

In what could be the last-ever Dirty River Derby, Louisville City FC hosts FC Cincinnati on Tuesday night to resume Saturday night’s contest, which was abandoned in the 38th minute due to inclement weather and unplayable field conditions.

When & Where
The match will resume on September 11 at Slugger Field with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. Cincinnati will hold their 0-1 lead with the clock starting at 37:43.

The match will be aired on WMYO as well as streamed on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the match on 790 WKRD. Fans can also follow #LOUvCIN on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: WMYO
RADIO: 790 WKRD
STREAM: ESPN+

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Where They Stand
Louisville City FC:
13-5-8, 47 points – 2nd in EC

Cincinnati:
18-3-6, 60 points – 1st in EC (x – clinched playoffs)

Last Time Out
With a shot at redemption for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to Toronto FC II, Louisville City were back in action against the Eastern Conference’s fourth-ranked Charleston Battery at Slugger Field.

Six minutes into the match, the two sides saw its first card of the night when an egregious kick from the Battery’s Atualla Guerra knocked City midfielder Kyle Smith to the ground. Only a yellow card was shown.

The night’s scoring sheet was opened in the 14th minute when Guerra found teammate Patrick Okonkwo, who then slotted the ball past Louisville City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh to give his side the 1-0 lead.

No more than four minutes of play would pass before Cameron Lancaster’s brilliance would be displayed yet again.

After collecting a pass from forward Ilija Ilic, Lancaster turned and fired a shot past Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper and into the back of the net, tying the match at one goal apiece. Lancaster’s 17th strike of the season gave the Englishman sole possession of first place in the Golden Boot race. 

Another breakdown in City’s backline would ensue in the 21st minute when another Guerra’s run towards the goal line led to an open pass in the penalty box, where the Battery’s Nico Rittmeyer regained the visitors’ lead.

Shortly before the half, Louisville City were back on the offense. A 41st minute cross from midfielder Niall McCabe found a jumping Cameron Lancaster, whose header would yet again tie the match.

Both sides entered the half knotted at two.

The “Boys in Purple” nearly started the second 45 with a strike when McCabe’s 49th minute shot far post looked like a beauty, though the attempt was tipped out of play by Charleston’s Cooper.

With the game still knotted at two in the 70th minute, Ranjitsingh would come through strong as Charleston attempts rained in for the next five minutes of play. The City keeper held his ground during a number of shots on target, preventing any breakthroughs from the visitors.

Neither side would record another goal on the night as Louisville City splits a point with the visiting Battery.

Rewind against Cincinnati
In front of a packed house at Nippert Stadium, City’s quest to continue their run of form continued following their 1-0 win over Saint Louis FC in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday.

Leading the line, forward Cameron Lancaster was heavily involved in City’s early attacking presence as threats Ilija Ilic and Magnus Rasmussen swam like sharks around the Cincy defense. Just under a quarter of an hour in, Lancaster earned a free kick from an excellent position just outside Cincy’s penalty area. With the wall in the middle of the goal, Lancaster opted to go through the wall to the left to beat FCC ‘keeper Evan Newton and put City in front. The goal was almost in perfect step with time to last April’s 0-1 win over Cincinnati when he scored in the 13th minute to go in front.

Cincinnati continued to pester City’s goal and created a couple of chances for Konig and Ledesma, including one for the latter off a free kick that rifled off the far post, but City ‘netminder Greg Ranjitsingh and his defense were equal to everything thrown their way.

An early change for City saw Lancaster exit in the 30th minute after picking up a knock with Luke Spencer on as his replacement. Working diligently throughout the rest of the half, City maintained a 0-1 lead heading into the half.

Never dropping a beat, City approached the second half with the same tempo and intensity as the first and managed to continue shutting the hosts down at each time of asking. Approaching a quarter of an hour to play, the visitors found their second of the night with a bit of fortune. Eyeing a chance on goal from just outside the box, George Davis IV angled an effort that took two deflections of FCC players on the way into the back of the net. The goal provided a cushion to City’s advantage and ultimately saw them through to the end, picking up another three points in a 0-2 win.

Coach John Hackworth’s pre-match comments
On the rivalry match on Saturday:
“Anytime you play your main rival, especially at home, you have to take into account the fact that it can be more than just a game. There are a lot of bragging rights on the line and as important is the fact that we’re [positioned] 1 and 2 in the league right now and this is a six-point swing effectively for either team. This is a big one and always towards the end of the season, hopefully, both teams feel like they’re getting better as the season goes on. It should be a fun one and fun for the fans.”

On the key to victory on Saturday:
“We need to make sure that we are really aware of their top guys. [Cincinnati] can hurt you with a lot of individual players but their collective movement, especially in the attacking third, is something that we will have to do a really good job defending on Saturday night.”

On the name ‘Dirty River Derby’:
“I told you this off the top of my head the other night, it’s nasty. I’m looking forward to getting a little dirty myself. Any coach or athlete loves this because when you truly have the level of competition that I think we’re all going to face on Saturday night, there’s no motivation that is needed. It’s intrinsic that it’s on and you want to go. I’m already feeling that, trying to keep the guys a little bit composed today and tomorrow so that they don’t waste any energy and save it for Saturday night.”

On the impact of a full week of rest and recovery:
“The recovery was key both mentally and physically, and then we’ve had some really hard days, too. We needed to put in work, we needed to make sure that collectively we are improving in all areas. So far, the week has been good in that respect and I think the team is ready for what we’re going to face on Saturday.”

KY Lottery Kees to the Game
Here are the KY Lottery Kees to the Game for #LOUvCIN:

1. Keep the ball out of danger areas
2. Exploit the middle
3. Communication is key

Team News
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen (Knee Sprain)
OUT – Brian Ownby (Concussion)

The United Soccer League announced on Sunday that the regular season contest between Louisville City FC and FC Cincinnati that was abandoned due to lightning and heavy rain at Slugger Field on Saturday night had been scheduled to resume this Tuesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. ET.

The contest will pick up in the 38th minute with FC Cincinnati holding a 1-0 lead through Corben Bone’s 23rd-minute goal that occurred before the players left the field due to lightning. Each team may make up to three changes from its lineup at the time of the suspension of the game, but any changes that remove a starter from the lineup would count against the team’s three available substitutions in the contest.

Fans who had tickets last night will be able to access new tickets in their SeatGeek account prior to Tuesday. The season ticket member booklet tickets will not scan. They also have the option to trade in their tickets to get tickets for any of the remaining 3 home games by contacting the LouCity ticket office.

All tickets from Saturday’s game will be honored, but any ticket already scanned needs to be reprinted by LouCity. To have tickets re-printed and left at Will Call, please contact the Louisville City FC ticket office via tickets@louisvillecityfc.com or by phone at (502) 384-8799, option 2.  

In part due to the rescheduled date, LouCity is offering half-price tickets to #LOUvCIN with supporting zones starting at $8: CLICK HERE 

OFFICIAL: The referees have announced that #LOUvCIN will be postponed to a later date due to unplayable conditions.

Louisville City FC will update all season ticket members and individual ticket members once an agreed upon date has been announced.

Thank you for your cooperation.

– CLICK HERE TO VOTE CAMERON LANCASTER FOR USL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – 

– CLICK HERE TO VOTE ILIJA ILIC FOR USL GOAL OF THE MONTH – 

Louisville City FC hosts their rivals from the north on Saturday night at Slugger Field in the third installment of the 2018 Dirty River Derby. City have only fallen twice at home this season with a recent meeting against Toronto FC II derailing the club’s four-game unbeaten run in Louisville and seven overall unbeaten in USL play.

The Queen City squad are in good form heading into Saturday’s clash having not lost since the pair met at the end of May at Nippert Stadium. In that meeting, goals from Cameron Lancaster and George Davis IV gave the visitors all three points in a 0-2 win. The match was the second clean sheet kept for LouCity against the Ohioians after winning at Nippert Stadium one month previous, 0-1, on a gorgeous Cameron Lancaster free kick. 

However, FCC’s recent success—including a 2-1 win over Riverhounds SC—make them a formidable side to face. Few City fans will need a reminder of the last time the pair met at Slugger Field, though, as the hosts drubbed the orange and blue, 5-0, in one of the most lopsided scorelines in either side’s short history. 

For coach John Hackworth, Saturday’s match will be his first taste of the Dirty River Derby. When asked what he knows about the matchup?

“Just that it’s pretty nasty. I’m looking forward to it.”

The final USL regular season meeting between the two clubs is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in Louisville.