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Takeways: Ranjitsingh back in goal for LouCity
Louisville City FC coach James O’Connor admitted that when it came to Greg Ranjitsingh’s return to the starting lineup Wednesday night, “I didn’t think he had too much to do.”
Consider it a mostly successful 90 minutes between the posts for the goalkeeper, who made his first appearance since the March 25 USL opener. LouCity went on to fall 1-0 to to FC Cincinnati in Ranjitsingh’s latest spell on the pitch, but he was credited with four saves and punched out two more chances in the Third Round U.S. Open Cup game at Nippert Stadium.
“I thought he made an important save for us in the first half, so I was pleased for him,” O’Connor said.
Ranjitsingh, who has also been called up at the International level for Trinidad and Tobago, tipped a 79th minute header by Cincinnati’s Dani Konig safely over the bar as well.
And so with Ranjitsingh back from a hip flexor injury, consider the battle for playing time on with Tim Dobrowolski, who racked up a pair of USL Save of the Week honors during his time as the starter.
Here’s more of what we took away from Wednesday’s game…
• LouCity found itself in a familiar position: taking quality shots, but not getting the desired result — a goal. On a night the club controlled 53 percent of the possession, LouCity couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. Six shots were attempted — half of them on goal — but now LouCity has tallied eight goals this season in nine games against professional opponents.
• It was a highly physical game. Forward Luke Spencer took an early exit, subbed off before the 20th minute, after going down on a tackle. Defender Tarek Morad also received attention from the trainer, though he stayed on. The clubs tallied 22 total fouls, with 15 of them on FC Cincinnati.
• LouCity didn’t move on to a meeting with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew later in the Open Cup. But the weeks ahead remain busy nonetheless. After Saturday’s game at USL Eastern Conference-leading Charleston, fixtures are set for Wednesday (Charlotte at home), the following Sunday (New York away) and the Saturday after that (Pittsburgh at home).
Open Cup Replay: LouCity at FC Cincinnati
See a live stream above of tonight’s U.S. Open Cup Third Round game between Louisville City FC and FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the broadcast also available locally on WBNA TV-21.
For Starting XI information and in-game updates, check us out on social media. It’s @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook and louisvillecityfc on Instagram. Vote for the Modelo Man of the Match on Twitter starting in the 75th minute.
LouCity's Kaye called up to Canadian National Team camp
Louisville City FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye on Tuesday received his first full international call up and a chance to earn his way onto the Canada Soccer roster that will compete in 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The news follows Kaye’s successful late March trip to Qatar with Canada’s U-23 team. He went the full 90 minutes in a pair of wins and earned Man of the Match honors in his second appearance.
“It’s always great to get called up to the national team,” Kaye said. “You have to go in there and be ready to work hard. There are going to be a lot more experienced players — some that have a higher pedigree than me. I just need to go in there and try and learn from them.”
In all, 27 players were invited to compete for spots. Four of them, including Kaye, received their first call up to the Men’s National Team. He’s also among the 17 players age 25 or younger.
Men’s National Team coach Octavio Zambrano will reduce the size of his squad after a June 9 intra-squad match, with only 18-20 players dressing for a June 13 international friendly against Curaçao. After that, Canada Soccer will announce its squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in mid-June.
“We have the perfect mix of experience and youth in this squad,” Zambrano said. “We are looking forward to seeing how they come together on the pitch. With this camp, we have a chance to look at players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but also younger players that are part of our long-term plans.”
Kaye will depart for the Canada Soccer camp following LouCity’s game Saturday at USL Eastern Conference leader Charleston Battery. He’ll also be eligible for selection Wednesday as LouCity travels to play FC Cincinnati in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Kaye worked his way into the starting lineup for the first time May 13 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, then found the back four days later in a Second Round Open Cup game May 17 against Tartan Devils Oak Avalon. He has struck a pair of near misses in USL play, bouncing shots off the post in the Rowdies game and again May 20 at Pittsburgh.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Mark,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “It’s a testament to his hard work and obviously his performance with Canada’s U-23s. We’re delighted for Mark.”
This represents LouCity’s second full international call up. Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh earned the first last year as a member of Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for World Cup qualifiers.
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Taking place every two years, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is the official national team championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers from across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship, and culture.
Canada are two-time CONCACAF champions, having won the CONCACAF Championship in 1985 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2000. Since the first edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, Canada’s best finishes are first place in 2000 and semi-final finishes in 2002 and 2007. All time, Canada have posted a record of 15 wins, 11 draws, and 15 losses in 41 matches.
In 22 international matches since the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada’s record is eight wins, five draws, and six losses, including most recently a 1-1 draw with Scotland on 22 March 2017.
CANADA ROSTER
GK- Milan Borjan | POL / MKS Korona Kielce
GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
GK- James Pantemis |
CB- Dejan JakoviÄ | USA / New York Cosmos
CB- Manjrekar James | HUN / Vasas Budapest
CB- Wandrille Lefèvre | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
CB/M- Adam Straith | CAN / FC Edmonton
FB- Fraser Aird |
FB- Kwame Awuah | CAN / New York City FC
FB- Juan Córdova | CHI / CD Huachipato
FB- Marcel de Jong | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Andrés Fresenga | URU / Cerro Largo FC
FB- Tyler Pasher | USA / Sporting Kansas City
M- Tesho Akindele | USA / FC Dallas
M- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal FC
M- Raheem Edwards | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Kianz Froese | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
M- David Junior Hoilett | WAL / Cardiff City FC
M- Will Johnson | USA / Orlando City SC
M- Mark-Anthony Kaye | USA / Louisville City FC
M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
M- Samuel Piette | ESP / CD Izarra
M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Marcus Haber | SCO / Dundee FC
M/F- Anthony Jackson-Hamel | CAN / Impact Montréal
F- Cyle Larin | USA / Orlando City SC
F- Tosaint Ricketts | CAN / Toronto FC
What to watch for: LouCity at FC Cincinnati
Only a year old, the rivalry between Louisville City FC and FC Cincinnati picked up steam in the offseason with player movement between the sides. They’ll meet at 7 p.m. Saturday with both clubs on a good run of recent form.
LouCity’s unbeaten to start 2017, entering on the heels of three straight wins. FC Cincinnati reversed a slow start away by winning its home opener, then earned a midweek point to move back to the top half of the USL Eastern Conference table.
Here’s what to watch for this weekend…
Tune In
TV: WDRB, Louisville’s FOX affiliate, will air the game live and in high definition locally. Mike Watts, voice of the USL. has the call.
Radio: Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 790 WKRD and the iHeartRadio app with T.J. Walker (play by play) and Jeff Milby (color commentary) at the mic.
Streaming: Watch live via the USL Match Center.
Follow Along
For Starting XI information and in-game updates, check us out on social media. It’s @loucityfc on Twitter, Louisville City FC on Facebook and louisvillecityfc on Instagram. Vote for the Modelo Man of the Match on Twitter starting in the 75th minute.
Links
• Spencer ready for homecoming at FC Cincinnati
• LouCity coach praises Davis IV’s early efforts
• Videos: O’Connor, players preview Saturday’s game
• LouCity players Morad, McCabe join Playing for Pride
• Cincy, Louisville measure up on attendance charts
Notes
Top of the table: LouCity’s 2-1 win last weekend over the previously unbeaten Tampa Bay Rowdies moved the boys in purple to the No. 1 spot in the USL’s Eastern Conference with 10 points earned in four games. Since then, the Rowdies went on to notch a 10th point of their own in a midweek draw with FC Cincinnati and hold the tiebreaker advantage on goal differential.
Davis IV on a tear: Midfielder George Davis IV, with three goals in the club’s last three games, moved into third place on the all-time USL scoring list at 41 goals. The University of Kentucky graduate has placed nine of his 10 shots this year on goal and last Saturday won 10 duels against the Rowdies in a Man of the Match performance.
Team of the Week: For his efforts, Davis IV received a second USL Team of the Week nod. LouCity has had at least one member on all four editions this season between the Best XI and bench. The two weeks Davis IV didn’t represent, midfielder Richard Ballard, a Louisville native, and defender Sean Totsch were present on the bench.
Near-perfect start: LouCity has taken points from all four of its games this season, with the scoreless draw against Saint Louis FC in the opener the only result that wasn’t a win. The 10 points in four games are more than the club tallied in its previous two seasons, when the boys in purple tallied six (2015) and nine (2016).
River Cities Cup: Call it what you will — supporters prefer the “Dirty River Derby” — but LouCity’s rivalry with FC Cincinnati has proven a good one just a year into it. Last season, the clubs split their games at Nippert Stadium and played to a draw at Slugger Field in front of 10,062, LouCity’s record crowd. After Saturday, Cincy comes to Louisville July 15 and Aug. 12.
Dacres to sit: Midfielder Kadeem Dacres, one of two players to make the move from LouCity to FC Cincinnati during the offseason, will not be available Saturday after shown a red card Wednesday against the Rowdies for a studs-up tackle. Aodhan Quinn, the former LouCity captain, is expected to feature for Cincy after resting during the midweek game.
Finally conceded: It took nearly 360 minutes for an opponent to score a goal this season on LouCity, a streak that ended in the 89th minute of the Tampa Bay game on a Martin Paterson strike in the box. Previously, LouCity’s only goal allowed was an own goal March 30 at Orlando City B. Opponents have totaled only eight shots on goal through four games.
Lineup consistency: LouCity coach James O’Connor’s changes to the Starting XI have been minimal to open the year, particularly in the defensive half. The same back four of Oscar Jimenez, Tarek Morad, Sean Totsch and Kyle Smith have featured. Key position battles remain at striker (Luke Spencer, Cameron Lancaster) and the right wing (Ballard, Niall McCabe).
Injury report: Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh will miss a fourth straight game after suffering a hip flexor injury in the first half of LouCity’s opener. He is receiving treatment and transitioning back into training. Devon “Speedy” Williams returned to training after subbing out of the Rowdies game. O’Connor said the midfielder experience pain in his glute.
TV, watch party details set for LouCity at FC Cincinnati
Louisville City FC’s Third Round U.S. Open Cup game Wednesday at FC Cincinnati will be broadcast locally on WBNA TV-21, the club has announced, with the official watch party set for the Sports and Social Club at Fourth Street Live.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Nippert Stadium, and stakes are high in the rivalry’s latest installment. The LouCity at FC Cincinnati winner advances to host Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew next month in a Fourth Round Open Cup game.
Wednesday’s TV feed will be an FC Cincinnati-produced broadcast picked up by WBNA.
“WBNA has been a great partner this season, and their willingness to step up and air this game on short notice is the latest evidence,” said Jonathan Lintner, LouCity’s director of media relations. “We’d like to thank FC Cincinnati for helping make this happen. Now, we’re looking forward to a great game and seeing the support at the Sports and Social Club.”
LouCity and FC Cincinnati last met on April 22, also at Nippert Stadium, for a heated, 1-1 draw in regular-season United Soccer League play. Both clubs defeated amateur sides to advance to their meeting in the Open Cup, an annual knockout tournament involving American soccer teams at all levels.
The Sports and Social Club, at 427 S. 4th Street, will offer $2 draft beers, $3 wine, $4 well drinks and food specials during the game. This marks the first LouCity watch party at the bar and restaurant, which ranked among ESPN’s “29 Greatest Sports Bars in the Known Universe.”
In addition to street parking, spaces are available in the Fourth Street Live garage on 5th Street between Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Liberty Street.
For supporters traveling to the game, FC Cincinnati has set aside a visitors section for LouCity. Use the code “LOUISVILLE17” at this link, or call the ticket office at (513) 977-KICK.
LouCity starts busy stretch with FC Cincinnati rematch
Wednesday’s Third Round U.S. Open Cup game at Cincinnati FC will begin a string of as many as six games in three weeks for Louisville City FC, the club’s busiest stretch of 2017.
On the heels of a weekend off, depth will be tested.
“We’ve got to use our whole roster,” said defender Sean Totsch. “With all those games, three in a week at times there, you have to use everybody.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nippert Stadium in a rematch of a 1-1 draw April 22 in United Soccer League play. The winner between LouCity and FC Cincinnati also earns the right to host Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew on June 14.
The potential Fourth Round Open Cup game would follow a slew of USL games for the boys in purple: June 3 at Charleston, June 7 versus Charlotte and June 11 at New York Red Bulls II. LouCity also hosts Pittsburgh on June 17.
“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,” said coach James O’Connor. “I think Cincinnati will be a very tough game. Obviously, we are certainly looking forward to that game, so our focus is completely on Cincinnati.”
O’Connor has the luxury of two experienced goalkeepers in Tim Dobrowolski, who has started most of this season following an injury to Greg Ranjitsingh in the opener. But Ranjitsingh was recently cleared to return to full training.
A high volume of games could also work former starting defender Sean Reynolds back into the lineup, while in the midfield there’s depth on the attack. George Davis IV, Niall McCabe and Brian Ownby have each played multiple spots in LouCity’s 4-2-3-1 shape.
“I don’t like one person playing one role,” O’Connor said, “and also in attacking positions, I like people to interlink and play multiple positions across those three front positions.”
Through eight USL games, LouCity has scored exactly eight goals, off the pace the club set in its first two seasons. Certainly, attacking was an emphasis in the week off following a 1-0 win May 20 over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
O’Connor said he wants players to have composure, but yet desire to score. He called it “fire in the belly — ice in the mind.”
“The biggest thing for us is winning,” the coach added. “…When I look at the opportunities we’ve created, we probably should have more goals. It’s up to our players to take those chances.”
LouCity should expect to see a different FC Cincinnati team in Open Cup competition.
While striker Djiby Fall was issued a suspension following the first meeting, he’s eligible to compete outside of USL play. Midfielder Kadeem Dacres can play as well after sitting out April 22 due to a red card suspension. Cincinnati has also since added forward Danni Konig, a former OKC Energy FC star who scored three goals in his last two games.
As for how LouCity may line up?
“For us, (we) look at the opposition and see what will cause them problems,” O’Connor said. “How are the lads’ fitness? How are they feeling, and how are they training?”
Added Totsch: We have a really good, really deep roster and we can use that to our advantage.”
LouCity vs. the Coopers game to kick off ReSurfaced's 2017 run
A rematch between the Louisville City FC front office and the club’s largest supporters group, the Louisville Coopers, will feature June 15 at opening night of ReSurfaced: The Liberty Build.
ReSurfaced last year transformed a lot in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood into a community activation space with a 5-A-Side soccer pitch, where LouCity defeated the Coopers in their first meeting (thanks to quite a bit of help from coaches James O’Connor and Daniel Byrd).
This year’s game will kick off at 7 p.m. on the pitch at the corner of South Shelby and Liberty streets.
Admission is free to ReSurfaced, and LouCity fans are encouraged to show up in support. Select players will attend, and vendors will also be on hand offering local food and drink.
5-A-Side is version of soccer played on a smaller field (90 feet x 60 feet) which allows for shorter, engaging and accessible games. Teams are required to include eight members — five starters and three subs.
ReSurfaced’s hours on June 15 are 6-10 p.m., with the field available for pickup play outside of the game between LouCity and the Coopers.
Opening night begins a 10-week run for ReSurfaced. The pitch will also be available Friday and Saturday nights into October.
2017 ReSurfaced Schedule
June 15, 16, 17
July 7, 8
July 21, 22
August 4, 5
August 18, 19
September 1, 2
September 15, 16
October 6, 7
October 20, 21
LouCity joins in six-week 'I Am Ali' festival
To honor the life of Muhammad Ali, Louisville City FC will take part in the first “I Am Ali” festival, a multi-week movement aimed to boost community spirit and celebrate The Greatest’s legacy.
The “I Am Ali” Festival begins June 3, on the one-year anniversary of the Louisville native’s death, and will through July 15 highlight his “Six Core Principles” — spirituality, giving, respect, conviction, dedication and confidence.
Special Ali recognitions are planned during LouCity’s June 17 home game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, set for 7:30 p.m. Starting June 3, a limited run of scarves will go on sale with proceeds to benefit the Muhammad Ali Center. They read, “Pass Like a Butterfly. Strike Like a Bee.”
Louisville’s pro soccer club will also be involved in the “I Am Ali” festival’s kickoff, at a June 3 Louisville Bats baseball game at Slugger Field. Look for purple on the concourse with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.
Beyond sports, each week during the festival will feature a different core principle as a theme. Visit gotolouisville.com/i-am-ali-festival/ for more information.
June 3 – June 10—Spirituality – A sense of awe, reverence, and inner peace inspired by a connection to all of creation and/or that which is greater than oneself.
June 11-17—Giving – To present voluntarily without expecting something in return.
June 18-24—Respect – Esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of, oneself and others.
June 25 – July 1—Conviction – A firm belief that gives one the courage to stand behind that belief, despite pressure to do otherwise.
July 2 – July 8—Dedication – The act of devoting all of one’s energy, effort, and abilities to a certain task.
July 9 – July 15—Confidence – Belief in oneself, one’s abilities, and one’s future.
LouCity Notes: USL hits attendance milestones; Speedy featured
Support for Louisville City FC is up this season — but it’s not the only club experiencing increased attendance numbers.
During Week 9 of the 2017 season, the USL hit the 500,000-spectator mark this past weekend, the league announced.
“Our fans passionately support our teams and increasingly recognize the high level of competition being delivered every week on the pitch, as well as the first-class content being produced by our clubs, our staff and USL Productions,” said USL President Jake Edwards.
Attendance currently sits 30 percent ahead of last season, when the league hit the mark in Week 12.
LouCity saw a crowd of more than 9,000 in April on the heels of its stadium site announcement in the Butchertown Neighborhood. The club typically sees higher numbers during summer.
“The best is yet to come as we enter the summer and teams angle for a coveted playoff spot heading into the fall,” Edwards said.
LouCity returns home June 7, when it hosts the Charlotte Independence in a midweek game at Slugger Field. There’s also the potential of a U.S. Open Cup game in Louisville against MLS’ Columbus Crew the next week.
• Some notable press: The largest Division II soccer league in the world earned some recognition recently from the Los Angeles Times, which highlighted the move by former Chelsea star Didier Drogba to Phoenix Rising FC.
Drogba will also have a role with the club’s ownership.
“MLS is one model. USL is a completely different model,” James Keston, who bought the Orange County club last year, told the LA Times. “People like me – especially ones who saw MLS 10, 15 years ago and found it very interesting – now look at USL and see that same interesting growth and say there are amazing things we can do with this business.”
The USL has doubled in size since its inaugural season in 2011, since then adding a number of midwest stalwarts such as LouCity, FC Cincinnati and Saint Louis FC.
Drogba is the latest international star to sign on with the league, following in the footsteps of another big Chelsea name, Joe Cole, whose Tampa Bay Rowdies moved to the USL starting this year.
“Whoever wants to come here and play, I will advise them to come,” Drogba told the Times. “Because I think the league will become even more competitive.”
• Catching up: For Devon “Speedy” Williams, last week’s trip to Pittsburgh was a homecoming. The midfielder hails from Robert Morris University, where he suited up for 71 games, and the school caught up with him following a training session in the Steel City.
• Power Rankings: Following a two-game road swing in Pittsburgh, LouCity stuck at the No. 5 spot in the Week 9 USL Power Rankings. remains stagnant in the USL Power Rankings for Week 9.
Unbeaten San Antonio FC led the new poll with 50 points, followed by: Real Monarchs SLC (45 points), the Tampa Bay Rowdies (38 points) and Charleston Battery (36 points).
LouCity dropped two spots to No. 5 during Week 8 following a 2-0 loss — its only defeat of the season — to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Thanks to Luke Spencer’s early goal against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the boys in purple held their position having played fewer games than clubs ahead of them in the standings.
