Louisville City FC defeated OKC Energy FC by a 2-1 score Saturday night in an unconventional game that featured an own goal and two penalties at Lynn Family Stadium. That was before LouCity filled out a lineup card featuring seven changes from a midweek victory over Sporting KC II.
The boys in purple opened scoring in the 37th minute when forward Jimmy McLaughlin drove to the end line and put in a cross that ricocheted off OKC center back Connor Donovan’s head and into the back of the net. LouCity seemed to seal the deal when loanee Jorge Gonzalez combined with standout left back Jonathan Gomez, who was fouled upon receiving the ball near the goal. Cameron Lancaster slotted home the penalty in the 76th minute, making it eight goals in 11 appearances this season. In the dying minutes of the match, LouCity center back Sean Totsch committed a foul in the goal box, which OKC forward Villyan Bijev converted into an 86th-minute penalty.
With the win, LouCity has now built a seven-point cushion over Birmingham Legion FC in the USL Championship’s Central Division. Coach Danny Cruz’s team has only lost one game in its past 11 matches and, at the time of writing, has more points than any other team across the league.
“We’re in a good way right now, but for me we haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Cruz said Saturday. “You don’t win anything for being in first place in the middle of the year. With that being said, I am extremely, extremely proud of this group. When you look at the season we’re having so far and the different ways that we’re winning and responding after losing two games I think it shows a true resolve— a true character — and I give all the credit to that locker room. It’s a joy to work with them every day.”
Here’s more of what we learned from the win:
Goal-scoring guarantee
LouCity has now scored in every game of the season but one — that being a June 6 shutout at Atlanta United 2. The club also ranks second in goals for (33) and goal differential (+14) in the USL Championship.
All of this points to an efficient and lethal offense developed by Cruz, who has seen 13 players hit the back of the net in addition to Saturday’s own goal. Though Lancaster has enjoyed the majority of the goals this season, veteran winger Brian Ownby has contributed to eight goals and young outside back Jonathan Gomez seven, showing the attack’s diversity.
Youth movement
Just 16, center back Josh Wynder played his first full 90 minutes in the USL against OKC and put his exceptional ball retention skills and defensive solidity on display in the process. Wynder ended the game with just better than 86% passing accuracy and 17 passes in the opposition’s half. On defense, Wynder put on an impressive performance as he registered two clearances, an interception, a crucial tackle, and won possession from the opposition four times according to Opta stats.
Gomez, 17, has been lighting up the scene this season with his consistency plus efficiency, and Saturday night was no exception. Although Gomez only had 33 minutes to make an impact after being subbed on, his performance was what separated the two sides. Not only did Gomez end up winning the penalty, but he also had a 93% passing accuracy in the opposition’s half.
Man of the Match: Lancaster
A series of injuries, including a hamstring pull and concussion, haven’t seemed to hold back LouCity’s top striker when he’s been available this season. The former Tottenham Hotspur forward leads the front line in goals and shots despite limited appearances.
Against OKC, Lancaster tucked away his eighth goal of the season and had five shots, the most out of any player on the field on the night. Lancaster also won a foul for his team and gained possession from OKC three times.
Leaky late defense
LouCity, which played three games over nine days, conceded past the 85th minute in each contest. The boys in purple still managed wins in two of those three games, but a late goal July 23 at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC cost the club a pair of points.
“[The late goals] are something we have to improve on for sure.” LouCity midfielder Corben Bone said after the game. “I think we do so much work throughout the game, to give up a late one like that makes it that much harder on yourself. We know as a group going forward into the playoffs and things like that, that’s going to be a detail that’s very important.”
