USL Louisville City FC

LouCity's Momentum Fizzles in Close Loss to Rival Saint Louis FC

Published on July 18, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


Louisville City FC battles Saint Louis FC
Louisville City FC battles Saint Louis FC
(Louisville City FC)

A new-look Louisville City FC lineup yielded plenty of opportunities, but not points, in a 1-0 defeat on Saturday to rival Saint Louis FC at Lynn Family Stadium.

Coach John Hackworth opted for six changes and saw immediate results as the boys in purple volleyed shot after shot on their Kings' Cup rival in the opening 45 minutes. Out of the half, however, the momentum slowed before Saint Louis FC knocked in a set piece goal as the 52nd-minute game winner.

It went down as the second straight loss for LouCity since the USL Championship's restart last weekend. A Lynn Family Stadium crowd of 4,850 was on hand with protocols to wear masks and physically distance, among other safety measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

LouCity fell to 1-2-0 on the season, pairing Saturday's outcome with a March 7 victory at North Carolina FC and last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in Lynn Family Stadium's inaugural game.

What made Saturday different is the USL's new competition structure. Saint Louis FC is one of a trio of clubs LouCity will see four times as part of "Group E" play, with the top two from each pod advancing to the playoffs.

Saint Louis FC moved ahead on a corner that started with an out-swung pass, was played back into the flat and lobbed in the box to former LouCity midfielder Guy Abend. Abend headed to teammate Tyler Blackwood for a one-touch tap and score.

LouCity had largely controlled proceedings until then with Hackworth having switched out all but Oscar Jimenez from his back line. Chris Hubbard also manned the goal, while Napo Matsoso and Antoine Hoppenot earned starts on the attacking side.

The boys in purple responded by delivering a barrage of chances in the first half. Striker Cameron Lancaster accounted for five of the club's 10 shots, including a 13th-minute ball off the post and a 22nd-minute bender that bounced off the crossbar.

LouCity continues Group E action next Saturday by hosting Sporting KC II. With kickoff at 8 p.m., it airs on WBKI/The CW, News Radio 840 WHAS and ESPN+.

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Louisville City FC battles Saint Louis FC
Louisville City FC battles Saint Louis FC
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 18, 2020


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