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LouCity's Ranjitsingh ready for 'huge' World Cup qualifier vs. U.S.
Louisville City FC goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh witnessed a “crazy atmosphere” Friday night as Trinidad and Tobago played Guatemala to a 2-2 draw, in the process earning a point that moved the nation one step closer to qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“We have a whole country behind us,” said Ranjitsingh, who earned LouCity’s first full international call up for a pair of games this month. “The stadium was packed. Even my cousins trying to come to the game had to leave hours early to get to the stadium in time because the traffic was unreal.”
After witnessing support in the country he represents, Ranjitsingh — a Canadian native whose father immigrated from Trinidad — will be with T&T again Tuesday for a game against the United States in Jacksonville. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. at EverBank Field, with Fox Sports 1 to broadcast.
“It’s going to be huge,” Ranjitsingh said.
Veteran keeper Marvin Phillip went the distance in goal last time out for T&T, tallying his 58th cap. But Ranjitsingh dressed and made the bench along with Adrian Foncette, who has appeared in three games for the Senior Men’s Team.
It won’t be until the pregame presentation Tuesday that Ranjitsingh sees the starting lineup. Regardless of whether he plays, the 23-year-old said he has taken plenty away from his international time.
“Training with these players, there’s a lot of quality — guys from all over,” he said. “They’re European-based, some guys play in Mexico, or the Trini league. There are some from MLS. It’s a great experience to be at this level. You can only get better.”
Seattle Sounders defender Joevin Jones recorded a brace against Guatemala. Other well-known members of Trinidad’s squad include striker Kenwyne Jones, who next year will join MLS’ new Atlanta United, as well as Orlando City SC’s Kevin Molino.
The Soca Warriors, as T&T’s Senior Men’s Team is also known, are 1-11-2 all-time against the United States in World Cup qualifying. But Trinidad has already secured a spot in the Hexagonal, the final stage of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.
Ranjitsingh was traveling Saturday as LouCity knocked off FC Montral by a 1-0 score on the road. He did see glimpses of teammate Tim Dobrowolski’s debut in goal, a shutout performance.
“I’m happy that the guys came through with the win,” said Ranjitsingh, who’s soaking in his experience — but has missed being away from LouCity. “Definitely. When I see the guys on social media having fun and enjoying themselves, it’s tough. Louisville City’s been like a second family to me.”
Ranjitsingh will return to Louisville after Tuesday’s game and be available Saturday when LouCity hosts the Richmond Kickers at Slugger Field.
Replay: Watch LouCity's 1-0 win over FC Montreal
LouCity releases Shanosky; defender returning to Richmond
Louisville City FC on Friday announced the release of Conor Shanosky, a second-year defender who will continue his career with the United Soccer League’s Richmond Kickers.
The Pittsburgh native and D.C. United youth academy product also played parts of the 2013 and 2014 seasons for the Kickers before his stint with LouCity.
“Louisville City coaches and the front office have allowed me the opportunity to pursue my next challenge,” said Shanosky, who brought Major League Soccer experience to Louisville’s inaugural roster. “I’d like to thank them for everything they’ve done for me and the sacrifices they’ve made to help me. I also want to thank my teammates, the fans and everyone who has supported me along the way.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in Louisville.”
The 24-year-old Shanosky has appeared in 15 of LouCity’s 26 games this year, scoring one goal a season after netting three shots during the club’s 2015 campaign.
“We would like to thank Conor for his service and commitment to Louisville City,” said coach James O’Connor. “He has made a significant contribution in his time here, and we are very appreciative of that. We wish him the very best of luck in the future.”
LouCity’s back line has flourished this season with the emergence of first-year players Ben Newnam (left back), Kyle Smith (right back) and Paco Craig (center defense). Sean Reynolds and Tarek Morad also regularly rotate in the middle.
LouCity’s +18 goal differential — 43 scored and 25 allowed — ranks second-best of 14 teams in the USL’s Eastern Conference. The club’s season continues Saturday with a 3 p.m. game at FC Montreal. Fans can watch live at www.loucity.com.
Preview: What to watch for with LouCity at FC Montreal
Louisville City FC has clinched a spot in the United Soccer League’s playoffs, but the club will continue to play for improved standing — and a home opener to the postseason — starting Saturday at FC Montreal.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at the 3,500-seat Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. FC Montreal fell 2-0 to LouCity on July 4 but is playing its best soccer as of late, riding a five-game unbeaten streak into Saturday, with four of those results wins.
Team Records
LouCity: 14-4-8 (50 points) in 26 games; 2nd in the USL’s Eastern Conference standings.
FC Montreal: 6-18-2 (20 points) in 26 games; 13th in the USL’s East.
Follow Along
Saturday’s game will air, as with other LouCity games, live on Youtube with the steam available at www.loucity.com.
For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @loucityfc on Twitter and Louisville City FC on Facebook. Find us at louisvillecityfc on Instagram.
Vote for LouCity’s Modelo Man of the Match starting at the 75th minute on Twitter.
Links
- LouCity looking to slow red-hot Montreal
- Video: Coach O’Connor previews Saturday’s game
- Dobrowolski “hopeful” he’ll make his pro debut
- Hoffman shares his Robby Keane memories
- Know the foe: FC Montreal
- Official watch party set for Against the Grain
- O’Connor keeping starting goalie a secret
Notes
Playoff-bound: For the second straight year, LouCity has clinched a spot in the United Soccer League’s postseason. Eight teams apiece from the Eastern and Western conferences will compete in the single-elimination playoffs starting later this month. Better-seeded teams host playoff matchups, which LouCity is on pace to do in the opening round. Four games remain for the club in the regular season.
Ranjitsingh called up: LouCity’s starting goalkeeper left Sunday for Trinidad and Tobago, his father’s home nation and the country he’s representing in two World Cup qualifiers. Greg Ranjitsingh will be active for Friday’s game against Guatemala and Tuesday’s showdown with the United States on Fox Sports 1. T&T needs just a point from either matchup to advance.
Goodwin’s return: Needing another keeper for Saturday’s game at Montreal, coach James O’Connor called upon fan favorite Scott Goodwin. The Harvard Medical School student will come out of retirement for a game as an option for LouCity along with Tim Dobrowolski, a rookie who would make his pro debut should he see the field Saturday. Goodwin last played July 4, also against Montreal, making three late saves to seal a 2-0 win.
Rasmussen returns: Offseason hip surgery led Magnus Rasmussen to miss LouCity’s preseason and more. The attacking midfielder — also Louisville’s top returning scorer from 2015 — caught up on his conditioning enough to earn his first start of the year in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bethlehem Steel FC. Rasmussen figures to hold the spot, as he’s what O’Connor calls a “natural No. 10.”
Abend to Team of the Week: The goal scorer in LouCity’s Bethlehem win played just 15 minutes but left his mark. Guy Abend left after scoring on an early header, then colliding with an opposing player in the box. Still, the USL named him to its Team of the Week. Abend, who ranks second on LouCity’s roster with five goals, will miss the FC Montreal trip as LouCity follows concussion protocol.
Caution counts: O’Connor will also have to deal with the absence of Paolo DelPiccolo, who picked up his fifth yellow card in the Bethlehem game and will sit out due to accumulation. It’s either Abend or DelPiccolo typically playing alongside of captain Aodhan Quinn in the central midfield. Who takes their place Saturday remains unknown. Winger George Davis IV and right back Kyle Smith sit on four yellows.
A change up top: Cameron Lancaster played sporadically throughout the first two-thirds of LouCity’s season but has over the past four games become a mainstay in the starting lineup. He most recently took regular striker Chandler Hoffman’s position and has also played behind the forward in the 10 spot. This year, Lancaster has scored two goals from 11 shots on target and tallied a pair of assists.
Stat stuffers: Hoffman continues to challenge for the USL’s Golden Booth award a year after Matt Fondy — he scored 22 goals in 28 regular-season games — also claimed it for LouCity. Only Jack McBean, a former LA Galaxy II star now on loan in Europe, has more goals than Hoffman’s 14. One more would tie the LouCity striker for the league lead. Rookie defender Kyle Smith’s six assists are two off USL leader Daniel Barrera of Sacramento Republic FC.
The streak: LouCity went into its July 23 game at FC Cincinnati riding a string of 17 straight games unbeaten, five off the USL record set by the 2013 Richmond Kickers. While the roll ended, the club has tallied only four losses this season and remains in contention for a USL title. LouCity suffered back-to-back defeats to end July but is 2-1-2 since then. The previous franchise-best undefeated streak was six games in 2015.
LouCity looking to slow red-hot FC Montreal
While scouting FC Montreal, James O’Connor didn’t look at the United Soccer League standings, where the club sits one spot from the bottom. Rather, he analyzed Montreal’s threats and form.
“And you think, ‘They’re a dangerous team,'” O’Connor said this week.
The numbers agree.
LouCity travels this weekend for a 3 p.m. Saturday game against Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact’s affiliate, one that is unbeaten in five straight matches with four victories over that span. This all happened after an 0-8 start to the season.
FC Montreal, which lost 2-0 to LouCity on July 4, has since matured into a USL force.
“Earlier this year, they had a lot of young guys, so they were in a lot of games,” said Louisville striker Chandler Hoffman. “It was just their inexperience that gave up late goals. It’s going to be a tough one for us, and it’s one where we need to come out and kind of be all over them from the start — dictate the game.”
Leading scorer Anthony Jackson-Hamel has goals in each of Montreal’s last five games, while Alessandro Riggi remains strong on the ball. Stopping them is one thing. LouCity has its own questions to answer as well.
Up top, Cameron Lancaster started last weekend’s 1-0 win over Bethlehem Steel FC in place of Hoffman, who with 14 goals on the season is in the thick of the USL’s Golden Boot race. Magnus Rasmussen also made a lengthy appearance in the attacking midfield at the 10 spot.
Will those changes stick? LouCity’s central midfield could use some of the depth, as Guy Abend is out while recovering from a concussion and Paolo DelPiccolo will sit due to yellow card accumulation.
O’Connor said Niall McCabe has recently battled a nagging labrum injury where “he has days when it feels OK and other days where it’s awful. For us, it’s impossible to manage because you never know if it’s going to be good or if it’s going to be bad.”
Then there’s the goalkeeper situation.
With Greg Ranjitsingh away with the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men’s Team, either rookie Tim Dobrowolski will make his debut in goal on Saturday, or Scott Goodwin will come out of retirement to contribute. O’Connor hasn’t yet named a starter.
“He’s kept it pretty tight-lipped,” said Dobrowolski, who added, “I’m obviously hopeful…They’re a red-hot team right now — Montreal’s on fire — so I’m looking forward to either way watching a great game.”
LouCity recovered well from a back-to-back defeats to end July. The club has lost just once in its last five contests, to the league-leading New York Red Bulls II. Other recent results around the USL, including consecutive losses by FC Cincinnati, have Louisville in position to hold second or threaten for a regular-season title should the Red Bulls stumble.
O’Connor’s sticking with his mantra with four games to go: one at a time.
“More often than not, you get a lot of emotion involved with supporters and with different people,” the coach said. “If you look at the more successful ones, they’re able to keep that in check — keep a steady balance and steady flow of what they’re trying to achieve and not sort of pull away from it. That’s something we do here.”
Video: LouCity's O'Connor says FC Montreal's 'got a lot of threats'
Video: LouCity's Dobrowolski 'hopeful' he'll debut in Montreal
Video: Hoffman on playing with Robbie Keane and FC Montreal preview
Know the foe: FC Montreal
After a full week between games, Louisville City FC will resume United Soccer League play on Monday, celebrating the July 4 holiday against a club from north of the border. FC Montreal enters at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, while LouCity remains in first place, but Montreal has proven to be a team Louisville can’t take lightly.
Record: 2-12-1 (7 points) in 15 matches
Conference: Eastern
Standings: 14th
Coach: Philippe Eullaffroy
History: Saying a USL side “will serve as the final step and transition for our youth before the MLS,” the Montreal Impact started play with FC Montreal in 2015, featuring mostly young players from Quebec on the major-league club’s U18 and U23 rosters. FC Montreal went 8-4-16 in its first season.
Series with LouCity: Both the clubs’ prevous meetings have ended in shutouts, with the results split. LouCity won 2-0 in Canada last year before FC Montreal dealt Louisville perhaps its most surprising defeat of the season, a 4-0 loss Aug. 5 at Slugger Field when the home team entered on a six-game winning streak.
Current form: While at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, FC Montreal has played its best lately, aided by depth of players returning from injury at the MLS level. Two matches back, Montreal scored a 3-2 road win over the Harrisburg City Islanders, only its second victory of the season, though the club hasn’t won or drawn yet in back-to-back fixtures.
What to know: Through the first 10 games of its season, FC Montreal failed to score goals in consecutive matches, lacking a true striker on its roster. It was anticipated Eullaffroy’s side would use one of the Impact’s backups, but injuries left the MLS club shorthanded. More recently, forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel has returned fit, netting his three goals in the last four matches.
Player to watch: In the only recent FC Montreal match Jackson-Hamel didn’t score, a familiar name, Alessandro Riggi, found the back of the net in the club’s 3-1 loss Sunday to Orlando City B. Riggi secured a brace last season against LouCity, scoring in the fourth and 19th minutes at Slugger. A Canadian native, Riggi has 10 goals in his season and a half with FC Montreal.
