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Louisville City FC

What to Watch for with LouCity at Sacramento Republic FC

March 31, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


Louisville City FC with possession
Louisville City FC with possession
(Louisville City FC, Credit: EM Dash Photography)

Louisville City FC will look to rebound from a rare multi-goal defeat this weekend, but the task is a tall one.

The boys in purple travel to play Sacramento Republic FC - one of the Western Conference's top clubs - at 10 p.m. ET Saturday at Heart Health Park.

This marks a return trip to California for LouCity, which opened its season with victories March 11 at Orange County SC and March 18 at Monterey Bay FC. City followed up with clunker, however, in its home opener, falling by a 3-0 score last weekend to an El Paso Locomotive FC side that entered the game winless on the season.

LouCity had lost by multiple goals just once previously since Danny Cruz assumed the head coaching position in 2021. The boys in purple hadn't been defeated by a three-goal margin since July 28, 2019.

Sacramento, meanwhile, beat El Paso in its home opener before a draw with the Charleston Battery and victory over San Diego Loyal. Republic FC has returned most key pieces from last year's run to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, knocking off three Major League Soccer opponents en route.

Follow along

- Saturday's game will air live on WBKI and ESPN Louisville's 680/105.7.

-If streaming, download the free WDRB Now app to watch the local feed in Louisville. ESPN+ also streams the home feed of all USL Championship games not selected for national TV.

- For Starting XI and in-game updates, follow @loucityfc on Twitter and Louisville City FC on Facebook. Also find the club at louisvillecityfc on Instagram.

Player availability report

Wes Charpie (Out)

Dylan Mares (Questionable)

Story lines...

Reinforcements arrive: LouCity will have two of its top players back available at Sacramento after missing the El Paso game. Forward Brian Ownby ends his red card suspension, and defender Josh Wynder returns from international duty with the U.S. U-20 national team. Wynder started two of three games for the U-20s as they tuned up for the age group's World Cup later this spring.

Getting healthy: A longer injury report than usual greeted LouCity fans as the season opener arrived, but the list is slowly shrinking. For example, midfielder Jorge Gonzalez returned to the pitch against El Paso, with his double shot opportunity in the second half LouCity's best scoring chance. Cruz promised Gonzalez's role would continue to grow as he regains fitness.

West world: USL Championship squads will face their conference opponents once home and away in 2023, plus see every opponent from the other conference at least once. Coincidentally, LouCity is amid a run of four straight games to open the season against Western Conference foes. The club will later this season face Las Vegas Lights FC and Oakland Roots SC for the first time.

Magic numbers: Sacramento Republic took points away from its opening three games by scoring one goal apiece. Jack Gurr, Luis Felipe Fernandes and Russell Cicerone - a key offseason acquisition from Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - have hit the back of the net so far. LouCity has both scored and conceded as many as three goals already this year.

Last time: LouCity an Sacramento have met just once before, for a 3-1 City victory last Sept. 3 at Lynn Family Stadium. The second matchup, though, will represent a more true account of both sides. Republic FC rested a number of starters the first time when playing four days before becoming the first non-MLS squad to play in the Open Cup final since 2008.

Youth served: Even with Wynder on international duty, LouCity saw the impact of its academy system against El Paso when midfielder Carlos Moguel Jr. and the older brother Elijah Wynder both earn starting spots. Additionally, Colin Elder - signed recently to an amateur contract - subbed on to make his first team debut, then attended his high school prom later that night.

Quick turnaround: LouCity will deal with its first bit of schedule congestion when returning from Sacramento to host USL League One's new Lexington SC at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Open Cup's Second Round. The boys in purple also host league rival Detroit City FC on Saturday, April 8, to complete a run of three games in eight days.

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Images from this story

Louisville City FC with possession
Louisville City FC with possession
(EM Dash Photography)		   

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