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USL Louisville City FC

What to Watch for with LouCity vs. FC Tulsa

May 23, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


With just one game played so far this month, a well-rested Louisville City FC squad returns to action Wednesday, hosting FC Tulsa for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium.

LouCity (5-2-2, 17 points) hasn't lost in its last five USL Championship games - an unbeaten streak that matches the end of last season's run to the Eastern Conference Final. The boys in purple have similar aspirations this year, sitting third on the table with multiple games in hand just past the campaign's quarter mark.

Conference rival FC Tulsa (1-4-6, 9 points) is outside the current playoff picture, registering its lone victory in 2023 back on March 25. Tulsa travels to Louisville off a 2-1 home defeat Friday to Memphis 901 FC, which followed three straight draws.

Wednesday's game marks LouCity's first midweek league fixture of the year. Before kickoff, ticket holders can enjoy a special $2 hot dog and beer happy hour from 6-7 p.m. on Lynn Family Stadium's north/waterfront concourse. It's also LouCity Academy night, with players in the club's youth system receiving a complimentary ticket to see their professional counterparts.

After meeting FC Tulsa, LouCity faces a quick turnaround - but for its shortest road trip of the year - when traveling to face rival Indy Eleven on Saturday.

Follow along

- The game will air live locally on MyTV 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

Cameron Lancaster (questionable)

Niall McCabe (questionable)

Story lines

Bouncing back: Since losing consecutive games by a combined 8-0 score - including a club-record 5-0 defeat April 1 at Sacramento Republic FC - LouCity hasn't lost in USL Championship play. The boys in purple are an unbeaten 3-0-2, with one of those victories a statement 1-0 win April 15 over San Antonio FC. That game marked a rematch of the 2022 USL Championship Final.

Support grows: LouCity, which rarely loses at its home Lynn Family Stadium, is drawing its largest early season crowds in club history. The boys in purple have played to an average attendance of 10,824 through four league games this year. That represents a 15% increase over 2022, the previous high. Typically, City sees its largest crowds in the heat of the summer, with this a promising start.

Ownby's impact: Winger Brian Ownby threatened throughout a Man of the Match performance in LouCity's May 13 win over Miami FC. Ownby scored the game-winning goal on a curling effort in the 62nd minute, plus created a game-high five chances. It appeared to be a return to form after he started the season hot with two assists and a goal in City's first two games, then had to sit out due to a controversial red card suspension.

Offensive-minded: Sean Totsch scored his third goal across all competitions against Miami when converting a 70th-minute penalty - making the center back LouCity's leading scorer on the season. Ownby and Wilson Harris have both scored twice. Totsch hit the back of the net nine times last year, too, often called on to take penalties. The veteran defender is 6-for-6 from the spot in his career, with all those attempts since the start of 2022.

The big man: While it was only a brief appearance for Maarten Pouwels, LouCity's recently signed 6-foot-7 forward made his way on for stoppage time of the Miami victory. In doing so, the Dutchman became the tallest player to ever appear for City. The club rostered 6-foot-9 goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre in 2021, but he never debuted in purple. Pouwels joined as a midseason signing from Almere City in the Netherlands' second division.

Defensive duty: Rookie goalkeeper Oliver Semmle has conceded just two goals across 540 league minutes. That's a credit to the Marshall University product but also a sign of a solid back line for LouCity given he has only faced 12 shots over that span. Miami managed only two shots on target and scored via a penalty kick in the most-recent 3-1 result. Overall, City's 11 goals against are matched only by Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the Eastern Conference.

The Americans: Star LouCity defender Josh Wynder will continue to miss time with his club while representing his country. The 18-year-old from Louisville is in the midst of group stage play at the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup in Argentina, where the USA plays Slovakia on Friday. Former City teammate and Wynder's close friend Jonathan Gomez - now with La Liga's Real Sociedad - is also on the American squad.

Charpie slots in: Wynder's departure for U-20 World Cup camp coincided with the return of fellow center back Wes Charpie, who recovered from an offseason surgery. Charpie has appeared in three games but made the Miami win his first start. He won possession five times - tied for the team's high - in a full 90-minute performance. Miami managed just one shot on target aside from its early converted penalty.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 23, 2023


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