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Louisville City FC

What to Watch for with LouCity vs. Orange County SC

May 10, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release


Louisville City FC huddle
Louisville City FC huddle
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Chris Carter)

Off a midweek trip to play Seattle Sounders FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Louisville City FC returns to league play on a tight turnaround when hosting Orange County SC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Despite the time crunch, the boys in purple should be looking forward to another opportunity under the lights at Lynn Family Family Stadium, where they've been especially formidable this year.

LouCity's prior three score lines there were 5-0 (March 30 against Birmingham Legion FC), 5-3 (April 6 versus Indy Eleven) and 6-0 (April 27 over Hartford Athletic). That made City the first club in the USL Championship era to score at least five goals in three consecutive home games.

Another five-goal Lynn Family Stadium performance would match the league's record for a single season - and the boys in purple are only seven matches into a 34-game campaign.

LouCity, however, will have to address a tight turnaround better than last time, when they went from that Saturday win over Indy Eleven to their only away loss in the league on a Tuesday against the Charleston Battery.

City (6-1-0, 15 points) sits second in the Eastern Conference standings, six points off Charleston but with three games in hand. Orange County (4-1-3, 15 points) has also only lost once in the league this season and similarly enters off a midweek Open Cup game.

LouCity rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra time and penalty kicks Wednesday against the Sounders. However, City fell 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout. Orange County played its tournament game a day prior, defeating the USL Championship's Loudoun United FC by a 2-1 score in regulation.

Follow along

- The game will air live locally on WBKI/The CW and ESPN Louisville's AM 680/FM 105.7.

- If streaming, download the free WDRB+ app to watch the local feed in Louisville. ESPN+ or Golazo Network 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. Also find the club at louisvillecityfc on Instagram and Louisville City FC on Facebook.

Player availability report

Brian Ownby (out)

Adrien Perez (questionable)

Story lines...

Youth Club Night: Saturday's game could be a big one in the stands with LouCity already averaging attendance of 10,125. It's Youth Club Night, with kids in their club or school jersey receiving free admission, and City-branded drawstring bags will be distributed to the first 2,000. Additionally, the club is offering a $5.99 special on Mom Water drinks in recognition of Mother's Day weekend.

Record pace: Combining home and away goals, the boys in purple have hit the back of the net 23 times this season. That's the most ever for a USL Championship team through seven games. The numbers bode well, as the next clubs on the list are 21 apiece by the 2020 Phoenix Rising team that won the Western Conference title and 2013 Orlando City SC squad that took the league title.

Spreading scoring: In their last league game against Hartford, the boys in purple saw six players score goals, a feat accomplished only once prior in club history. On October 12, 2019, seven different LouCity players hit the back of the net in an 8-3 victory over the Swope Park Rangers. That was a memorable regular season finale for City at its old home, Slugger Field.

The new digs: Once Lynn Family Stadium opened to full capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, LouCity went 24-4-2 with a +45 goal differential through the 2022 season. After an uncharacteristic home record of 8-6-3 in 2023, City is back to making The Fam a fortress. Its 19 goals in four home wins are just two off the 21 numbered all of last year.

Stingy defense: LouCity has been just as impressive on the other side of the ball. Goalkeepers Damian Las and Danny Faundez have combined to number four clean sheets in seven games, a figure that starts with the players in front of them. Hartford didn't register a single shot on target last out, something the boys in purple last accomplished in a July 29, 2023, win over Indy Eleven.

New deal: Elijah Wynder, who has started six of seven games in the midfield and scored two goals, earned a fresh contract as a result of the hot start. The club announced this week the 21-year-old had agreed to a new multi-year deal. Going back to 2019, Wynder was the first player to sign a USL Academy contract, paving the way for the club's path to pro for aspiring local players.

Delivery man: LouCity newcomer Jake Morris has quickly carved out a niche on the left wing. He was credited for a pair of assists in the Hartford win, upping him to a team-high three on the season. Morris also numbered four chances created, seeing another pair of goals come from service into the box that was deflected out or half-cleared.

Serrano's sizzling: Ray Serrano's in his seventh professional season, and yet he's only 21 years old. Experience is starting to pay off for the young forward, who scored his third goal of the season against Hartford to go with three assists, matching Morris' total. Serrano's 12 chances created rank second on the team, and he's started all seven games - this all after a 2023 season when he went without a goal.

Accounts open: Among those to hit the back of the net in the Hartford rout were three LouCity newcomers. Former San Diego Loyal forward Adrien Perez (12th minute), Atlanta United loanee Aiden McFadden (32nd minute) and ex-Pittsburgh Riverhounds striker Tola Shownumi (93rd minute) each scored their first goals in purple.

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Images from this story

Louisville City FC huddle
Louisville City FC huddle
(Chris Carter)		   

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