By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC beat Miami FC by a 2-0 score on Saturday night in a purple-dominated — yet heated — matchup that featured nine yellow cards.
LouCity controlled the game from the start, totaling seven shots, two big chances and 65% possession in the first 45 minutes. City’s superior performance paid off in the 36th minute when veteran midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo smashed home a Jorge Gonzalez cross after DelPiccolo’s initial shot was blocked. Winger Brian Ownby doubled LouCity’s lead in the 74th minute after going on a brilliant solo run, making a defender miss a slide tackle and slotting it past the Miami keeper.
Both teams came into the game off of wins in Week 1 of the USL Championship season, but revenge wasn’t in the cards for Miami FC after an opening-round playoff loss to the boys in purple last year. Miami, however, is expected to rival LouCity in the Eastern Conference after acquiring former Memphis 901 FC standout Kyle Murphy, who had 21 goals last season, and outside back playmaker Mark Segbers, who had a goal and assist in the season opener.
Saturday night’s victory placed LouCity third on the Eastern Conference table on goal differential.
“I felt that as a group, when you look at the preparation, game plan, and how the game went, the players did an excellent job,” said Head Coach Danny Cruz. “One thing I’m really proud of is that for 90-plus [minutes], you’re getting the intensity I expect. These guys are continuing to improve every day. It’s still early, but there’s plenty of time for us to grow together.”
Here’s more of what we learned…
Left side linkup
Jorge Gonzalez, Amadou Dia and even Ownby — often shifting over from the right wing — combined on the left side of the pitch to overload Miami defenders.
Packing the left side stopped Miami’s solid outside back, Segbers, from interfering with the attack, resulting in the cross from Gonzalez to DelPiccolo to put City ahead. The trio accounted for 13 crosses and by the end of the game. Gonzalez and Ownby together tallied seven shots, five chances created, and 14 final third entries. Notably, Gonzalez had the most crosses out of any player on the field while Ownby won Man of the Match after his highlight goal, which took some fancy footwork in the box to create.
“I’ve been saying for six years now that he’s the most dangerous player in the league,” DelPiccolo said about Ownby. “It’s fun to watch and play with him.”
When the left side wasn’t being bombarded as LouCity strode forward, preseason signing Manny Perez was causing problems on the right. The newcomer — who made the league’s Team of the Week after LouCity’s opener — recorded two shots, two created chances and an assist to top off his night.
You shall not pass
LouCity coupled an excellent offensive showing with a solid defensive one. Wes Charpie, Josh Wynder, Dia and Perez, who played right-mid on offense, all started along City’s back line. Although LouCity was on the front foot most of the game, the defense made significant contributions to keep Miami forwards quiet. Throughout the match, City’s back four registered 13 duels won, averaged 87% passing accuracy and won the ball 26 times.
Wynder has taken up a starting position in Cruz’s defense and has filled the role maturely. The 16-year-old LouCity academy product shut down a clear goal scoring chance when Miami forward Kyle Murphy broke away in the 60th minute, an opportunity which could have opened the door for a Miami comeback.
“Josh individually is fantastic,” Cruz said. “The challenge for him is to do it day in and day out. I’ve seen it in preseason, I’ve seen it in two games, and I expect to continue to see it.”
City keeper Kyle Morton has also enjoyed an impressive start to his career in purple with two clean sheets in a row. After Cruz set out the goal in preseason of becoming one of the best defensive teams in the league, Morton and company have had an impenetrable start.
“In the end, there was a good fight from the group,” Ownby said. “We limited their chances and another shutout and a victory at home is all we can ask for.”
