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What to Know: #ATLvLOU
A heartstopper from George Davis IV was the one thing to separate LouCity from a fourth straight win and a draw at home against the Richmond Kickers. After a penalty from Kyle Smith in the 64th minute brought them level, GDIV powered home a winner in stoppage time to make it four straight victories to open the 2018 campaign, LouCity’s best-ever start.
However, James O’Connor has dismissed interest in hyping his team up on their current form. Instead, the focus lies on Atlanta United FC 2 this Saturday night:
“Honestly, there’s nothing in [the perfect start]. I’m focused on our next game. We’re looking at Atlanta, a very good team with young players and plenty of pace and ability. It will be a very good game and a tough game but we’re looking forward to it.”
When & Where
LouCity flies to Atlanta to face ATLUTD2 at 7:00 p.m. at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA. The hosts enter as one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference (LOU, PGH).
Local station WBNA will air this weekend’s match on your screen while 790 KRD carries the action over the airwaves. Fans can also follow the match live on Twitter & Instagram.
TV: WBNA
RADIO: 790 KRD
STREAM: ESPN+
WATCH PARTY: Falls City Taproom — 901 E Liberty St, Louisville, KY
DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android
Last Time Out
Louisville City FC beat Richmond Kickers, 2-1, thanks to a penalty in the second half from Kyle Smith and a stoppage-time winner from George Davis IV.
Against the run of play, the visitors would take the lead in the 18th minute through attacker Brian Shriver. Midfielder Raul Gonzalez played a pass forward for Shriver, who latched on and clipped a neat effort past Ranjitsingh to break the deadlock.
The course of the match changed in the 64th minute, though, when LouCity was awarded a penalty won by forward Cameron Lancaster. Stepping up to the spot, Kyle Smith sent Spangenberg the wrong way to convert and level the score.
As chances piled up for the hosts towards the closing stages, the “Boys in Purple” got a crucial goal from George Davis IV mere seconds into stoppage time. Substitute forward Ilija Ilic rolled a ball through to the left flank where Davis IV’s cutting run saw him angle in perfect position. Taking a touch to settle, Davis IV powered a rocket to the far post past Spangenberg to ultimately seal a 2-1 win during Black Out Night at Slugger Field.
PHOTOS: LouCity trains ahead of ATL trip
Rewind against ATL
One of few times we can say this in 2018, but Saturday night’s showdown in Atlanta will be the first time ATLUTD2 and LouCity will go head-to-head.
KY Lottery Kees to the Game
On the back of four wins in four games, a few Kees to #ATLvLOU presented by Kentucky Lottery:
1. Stay focused on the road
Saturday night’s contest at ATL2 will only be LouCity’s second road trip of the season, taking down FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium in their first trip two weeks ago.
Slugger Field has been home to three incredible wins so far, but with a flight ahead, the team’s preparations have surrounded keeping their focus and staying sharp this weekend.
2. Trust the process
The unbeaten start would be a distraction to some, but O’Connor stressed that his team is trusting their own processes in the early goings.
“It gets very dull for everyone in the media but for us, we have our process and we stick to it, and that’s it,” said the manager.
3. Feel out the pace
One of the most difficult tasks in facing an MLS 2 side is dealing with the personnel shifts from week-to-week between first and second teams.
What O’Connor does know, however, is that this Atlanta team carries a good bit of pace matched with skill. One of the other keys for his side will be feeling out the pace at the start of the match and to make sure their tempo never drops.
James O’Connor’s Press Conference:
On coming home with a result:
“I always think you try to get three points, whether it’s on the road or at home. It’s something that everyone is striving for. Every team in the world is trying to get three points when they’re playing in a game. For us, it’s more about the process, the level of performance, and then equally trying to make sure we impact the game in the way that we want to.”
On feeling a target on their back:
“I think the target is always going to be on our back. People want to talk about the start to the season and that’s great but for us, the process never changes. Again, it gets very dull for everyone in the media but for us, we have our process and we stick to it, and that’s it.”
On team news/injury updates:
“No news. We’ve been really pleased with how people have been training, so we’re excited and looking forward to the game.”
Team News
OUT – Richard Ballard (stress fracture, out for foreseeable future)
LouCity trains pre-ATL
John Hackworth: We're prepared for a fight
On facing Atlanta United 2:
“We’re giving Atlanta our full respect and they deserve it. They’ve been a team in the league who has been there to develop players and they clearly have done a really good job in that regard for the first team. But, they also have a lot of quality young guys. I think they’ve been well-coached, well-organized group and have had a number of games at home. This is an opportunity to not only develop players but I think playing our team is an opportunity for them to really prove themselves. We’re taking nothing for granted and are making sure that we are controlling what we can and be very respectful of our opponent.”
On keeping momentum rolling:
“Simply with the message that we can get better every single game and that’s what our responsibility is. We look no further than Atlanta and have put a premium on trying to improve some details as we go into this match.”
On injury updates:
“[Greg Ranjitsingh] is potentially available but the reality of the situation is that it might be a little risky to take him. He’s feeling much better, it is a muscle strain, so that’s great news that he won’t be out long but we’ll have to make sure we manage that correctly. Magnus has been back in training—not full training—but it’s good to have him on the field, touching a ball, and to have him in some of our rondo activities but he’s a guy that won’t be fully released so he will remain on the injury list.”
On what his message to the team is heading into the final four contests: “We want to get better with each game. We want to be at our peak form come playoff time. If we do that, we’ll have put ourselves in a position to be successful but we will always have improved, which is obviously what you want to do in the playoffs.”
No 'Keeper Coach, No Problem
With the 4-0 thrashing of Ottawa Fury FC, Louisville City recorded its 13th clean sheet of the 2018 campaign across all competitions, a new club record for shutouts in a single season.
As if the record-setting season for City’s goalkeepers isn’t impressive enough, the trio of Greg Ranjitsingh, Tim Dobrowolski and Chris Hubbard were left without a guide after the midseason departure of former goalkeepers’ coach Thabane Sutu.
“I think the intensity in training is still the same, if not harder. We know we can push ourselves,” said Dobrowolski. “We’re a tight group so we know when someone is slacking we can get on them.”
An impressive run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup led to Dobrowolski’s opportunity to showcase his leadership role on the pitch.
Back-to-back clean sheets for the Loyola-Chicago graduate – a dominating 5-0 win over the Long Island Rough Riders followed by a 1-0 win over the Western Conference’s Saint Louis FC – proved just how dynamic City’s goalkeepers can be.
Not long after the club’s Open Cup run was ended in the semifinal matchup with the Chicago Fire, however, Sutu’s last days neared.
Though the “Boys in Purple” would soon be without the local legend, Dobrowolski says his squad pressed on, continuing to improve on a day-to-day basis.
“I think nothing’s really changed,” said 6-foot-4 Dobrowolski. “Maybe I’ve taken on more of a role as a leader knowing that I have to look after a rookie and also help support a number one and be ready to go in any time.”
His number would be called just 17 minutes into Saturday’s home match against Fury FC when Greg Ranjitsingh was sidelined due to injury.
Over the remaining 73 minutes of play, Dobrowolski maintained a strong defensive effort that left the visitors scoreless. His first clean sheet in USL play would be his side’s 11th, good for seventh entering the weekend.
The addition of head coach John Hackworth has also brought a pair of helping hands for the goalkeeping trio.
Scott Budnick, a Louisville native and former MLS ‘keeper, has come on the squad as a volunteer assistant for Louisville City.
“It’s always nice when you have an extra pair of hands just to kick the balls, serve balls and bring fresh ideas to the group,” said Dobrowolski on Budnick. “Obviously when it’s just the same three people every day, it might not get stale but just a little creativity helps us get through training.”
Now, Dobrowolski and Louisville City look to finish the season strong with just a pair of contests remaining in the 2018 regular season.
Louisville City FC announces Danny Cruz as Assistant Coach
Louisville City FC is thrilled to announce the addition of Danny Cruz as the club’s assistant coach, effective immediately. Cruz will join coach John Hackworth for the final four games of the 2018 regular season as LouCity looks to defend its 2017 USL Cup championship.
A former assistant at Real Monarchs SLC, Cruz comes on board after ending his playing career ahead of the 2018 USL regular season. Prior to taking on his role with the Monarchs, Cruz’s extensive playing career saw him register 137 career Major League Soccer appearances in total.
On bringing in the first member of his technical staff, Hackworth said:
“I’m excited to have a coach and a person like Danny with the quality he has. I’ve known him for a long time. He played for me when he was 16 years old, he played for me when I was in Philadelphia. I have nothing but good things to say about the way he prepares himself for every challenge in life and he’s demonstrated the same commitment to this project and what we have ahead.
“Both the group we have now and the community here are getting a fantastic individual and I can’t wait to get started with him.”
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Cruz’s decade-long playing career began with the Des Moines Menace, where current LouCity players Richard Ballard and Tim Dobrowolski have spent time. After leaving the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Cruz was drafted in the third round (41st overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo. The former winger clocked time with the Dynamo, D.C. United, and Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer before spending one year with Minnesota United and part of one year with the San Francisco Deltas in the NASL before leaving for Real Monarchs SLC in August 2017.
Cruz replaces former assistant coach Daniel Byrd, who left with coach James O’Connor for a position with Orlando City SC in MLS in June.
In addition, Louisville City FC is excited to welcome Andrew DiLallo to the club as the newest Director of Operations, effective on Monday, October 1.
Louisville City FC rounds out the 2018 regular season with road trips to Atlanta United 2 and Toronto FC II before returning home on Tuesday, October 9 to face North Carolina FC at Slugger Field. LouCity is proud to host “Pink Match benefitting Pink Prom” on Tuesday, with a portion of the proceeds from City’s pink scarf and t-shirt sales going back to Pink Prom. Los Morados stay home to finish the regular season against Indy Eleven as part of Fan Appreciation Night at Slugger Field on Saturday, October 13. Tickets for City’s final two contests are available for as low as $16 by visiting www.loucity.com/tickets or by calling 502-LOU-CITY.
In addition, season tickets for the 2019 season at Slugger Field are now on sale. Fans who purchase season ticket package will be registered with priority seating in the team’s new 11,500-seat Butchertown stadium development for 2020 USL regular season. Visit www.loucity.com/seasontickets for more information.
USL Unveils New Structure
USL Unveils New Structure:
One Central Brand, Three Leagues, Evolving for the Future
USL Championship, USL League One and USL League Two will debut in 2019 season
TAMPA, Fla. – On a historic day for the evolution of soccer in North America, the United Soccer League has unveiled a new structure and brand identity for each of its top three leagues ahead of the 2019 season.
“Today’s announcement comes at the dawn of an exciting new era for our sport,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “The USL has spent the past eight years transforming our league to meet the evolving needs of our team owners, players, coaches, fans and partners. We have established our place in the U.S. soccer landscape while blazing the trail for professional soccer’s future by introducing a new third division, completing the nation’s professional soccer structure.
“We are bringing three leagues under one central brand that will uniquely represent the USL’s vision for the future and give rise to local passion in new cities currently without professional soccer. The new brand and logos are inspiring and convey a new direction. They are innovative and modern and tell a story but more importantly, refuse to let others define us. The USL will now be modelled after a tried and respected international structure. One central brand, three leagues: USL Championship– the pinnacle of competition; USL League One– the foundation of professional soccer; and, USL League Two– the Path to Pro.
“We are repositioning the competition under MLS with a new strategy, new names and logos,” concluded Papadakis. “As we look to the future, the USL is ready to put its fingerprints on U.S. Soccer’s drive toward becoming the best in the world, and its pursuit of winning a FIFA Men’s World Cup.”
The new structure and branding will go into effect in advance of the 2019 season, at which point the USL will also unveil a modernized league website in order to showcase new, engaging digital content and help to better tell the organization’s story as it continues to push the limits of what is possible for professional soccer in North America.
United Soccer League
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The USL’s new corporate logo symbolizes the growth of professional soccer in North America, incorporating 13 stripes to represent the U.S. flag. The blue letters pay homage to the league’s past while the new, modern logo and the white sphere represents a soccer ball in motion – propelling our sport forward into the future.
USL Championship
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The USL Championship is one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million across more than 35 markets in 2019, and fueling the growth of the game across North America. At its core, the Championship is community. It’s the commitment of passionate and financially secure owners and talented players to embrace their hometowns, to create opportunity and to grow together through the beautiful game.
USL League One
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League One brings discovery – delivering professional soccer to communities without a team, offering the first chance for new fans to dance and sing for 90 minutes, to fall more in love with the game every single week. League One also provides the opportunity and the first step in the professional ranks for players and coaches yearning to climb and pursue their dreams.
USL League Two
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Maintaining its heritage with a bold, red logo, League Two will continue to forge the game’s future, delivering the first taste of premier competition in an authentic national soccer environment with a hyper-local focus. It is the gateway to stardom for those who prove they belong and have the desire to advance into the professional ranks, providing more than 70 percent of players selected in the MLS SuperDraft over the past eight years.
ABOUT THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America, possessing nearly a decade of experience in bringing the world’s game to communities across the United States and Canada. Overseeing the USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two, the organization is built on a proven and recognized model in international football and counts more than 100 clubs in its membership.
Based in Tampa, Florida, the USL has grown over the past decade into a model organization with strong corporate partnerships, stable organizational leadership and a dedicated staff that provides outstanding support to member clubs and outside partners. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation and Canadian Soccer Association, the USL is #UnitedForSoccer, moving the game forward in the United States and Canada.
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Oscar Jimenez's display against Ottawa earns him USL TOTW nod
For his efforts in City’s 4-0 win over Fury FC on Saturday night, defender Oscar Jimenez has earned another place in the USL Team of the Week!
This is the third time the playmaker has been awarded a place amongst the best XI of the week in the 2018 regular season. No stranger to creating, Jimenez’s two assists were integral to City’s thrashing, one to Cameron Lancaster in the first half and one to Alexis Souahy in the second half.
See below for the full USL Team of the Week for Week 28.
USL Team of the Week – Week 28
GK – Tomas Gomez, Saint Louis FC: Gomez recorded a five-save shutout as STLFC took a big step toward the playoff positions with a 2-0 victory against San Antonio FC on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis.
D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the opening goal in the Rowdies’ victory against Richmond, and recorded 12 possession recoveries and seven clearances over Tampa Bay’s two wins on the week.
D – Joe Farrell, Phoenix Rising FC: Farrell scored the opening goal, recorded a team-high 13 clearances and won four of six duels as Phoenix took a 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Saturday night.
D – Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City FC: Jimenez recorded a pair of assists and completed 42 of 48 passes as Louisville took a 4-0 victory against Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday night at Slugger Field.
M – Aodhan Quinn, Orange County SC: Quinn had a pair of goals as Orange County swept to a 5-2 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Wednesday night to remain on top of the Western Conference standings.
M – Hayden Partain, Sacramento Republic FC: Partain scored twice, including the game-winning goal, as Republic FC took a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
M – Tah Anunga, Charleston Battery: Anunga scored the equalizer, and recorded eight interceptions and 19 possession recoveries as the Battery earned a 1-1 draw on the road against Nashville Sc on Saturday night.
M – Raul Mendiola, Las Vegas Lights FC: Mendiola scored a pair of goals, including a 90th-minute equalizer, as Lights FC earned a 3-3 draw with Reno 1868 FC on Saturday night.
F – Donovan Ewolo, North Carolina FC: Ewolo recorded the second four-goal game of the season – including a hat-trick in the opening 35 minutes – as North Carolina took a 6-1 win against ATL UTD 2.
F – Hadji Barry, Swope Park Rangers: Barry scored in both of the Rangers’ contests, including their key midweek win against San Antonio FC, to set a new USL modern-era record with eight consecutive games with a goal.
F – Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II: Alvarez scored a hat trick as the Galaxy II romped to a 6-1 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday night, the 16-year-old’s second three-goal outing of the season.
Bench: Daniel Vega (TBR), Ben Zemanski (PGH), Todd Wharton (RGV), Cameron Lancaster (LOU), Albert Dikwa (STL), Cameron Iwasa (SAC), Brian Brown (RNO)
Fast Facts: #ATLvLOU
Straight off clinching a spot in the USL Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in as many years, Louisville City FC hits the road to take on Atlanta United 2 in their final stretch of the 2018 regular season. Sitting in second place–one point ahead of Pittsburgh–LouCity looks to build on their momentum from Saturday night’s 4-0 win over Ottawa.
Last Time Against ATL2
A new opponent for 2018, Louisville and Atlanta have met on two earlier occasions this season. The series is currently in Louisville’s favor at 1-0-1. The most recent match saw Louisville claim the 2-1 victory at Slugger Field thanks to goals by Cameron Lancaster and Ilija Ilic.
Scouting Atlanta United 2
18 points out of playoff contention, Atlanta United 2 has lost their last two matches heading into Saturday. After falling 1-0 on the road to Tampa Bay, Atlanta returned home to begin their final homestretch where they were defeated 6-1 by North Carolina FC. Atlanta will have a short turnaround for Saturday’s game, hosting Nashville SC on Wednesday night.
Louisville City Clinching Playoff Spots
For the fourth year in a row, Louisville City FC has clinched their place in the USL Cup Playoffs for the 2018 season. Should Louisville be able to lock down second place in the Eastern Conference with four matches remaining in the regular season, they will be the first team since the inception of the USL’s Cup Playoff format in 2015 to reach the playoffs not only in all four years but also seeded no lower than the two seed.
