By Ty Kreft, LouCity Insider
OFFICIAL MATCH NOTES
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The USL-leading Louisville City FC (5-1-2, 17 points) returns to Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday to resume hostilities in the Kings’ Cup against regional rivals Saint Louis FC (3-2-2, 11 points). LouCity is coming off two games on the road that yielded a valuable four points.
A scoreless draw against Bethlehem Steel FC in Pennsylvania was highlighted by the first start of the season for goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh. The young Canadian turned in the first of his back-to-back Man of the Match performances.
Ranjitsingh kept a clean sheet again in City’s, 2-0, win over Toronto FC II in Canada just three days later. The win was secured through an own goal from a shot by defender Conor Shanosky and a sublime Niall McCabe strike from more than 30-yards away.
It was an impressive showing against a side featuring eight players loaned from Toronto FC’s MLS first team.
McCabe’s goal, in particular, was one to savor. The midfielder capitalized on a poor clearance from Toronto’s goalkeeper and, spotting the netminder off his line, chipped the ball into the back of the net from distance.
Three Things to Watch
Backline Solidity: LouCity’s defense has hit it’s stride. The boys at the back have not allowed a goal in the last 195 minutes of play. Coach James O’Connor’s defense has also provided two USL Team of the Week honorees in recent weeks, with Conor Shanosky and Greg Ranjitsingh taking the plaudits. The backline will look to continue it’s hot streak against Saint Louis FC.
Return of the King(s’ Cup): When regional rivals Saint Louis FC packed up and moved to the USL Western Conference entering the 2016 season, many fans feared the rivalry that developed last year might be lost. Thankfully, that’s not the case. LouCity faces Saint Louis FC twice this season — home and away — to contest the King’s Cup, which was named by fans of both clubs in 2015. This Saturday the boys in purple will look to gain an edge in the competition with three points and take the first step toward bringing the trophy home for the second year in a row.
O’Connor’s Full Calendar: The last few weeks have seen O’Connor’s side play game after game after game. Two weeks in a row with mid-week and weekend games have kept LouCity busy. After this Saturday’s game, LouCity will play its first U.S. Open Cup game of the season the following Wednesday at Bellarmine University. It will be key for O’Connor to rotate his squad, a tactic the coach has used effectively so far – 21 of 23 players have made appearances this season.
LouCity renews its Kings’ Cup rivalry with Saint Louis FC on May 14 (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS) before kicking off the Club’s second-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at Bellarmine University on May 18 (7 p.m. | TICKETS).
Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.
