Here’s what to know ahead of kickoff at 7 p.m. Wednesday at MSU Soccer Park.
Know the foe: New York Red Bulls II — the only USL Championship club to have already played three games — are 1-2-0 under new head coach Gary Lewis, who succeeded the highly successful John Wolyniec. As with LouCity, Red Bulls II defeated Atlanta United 2 by a 1-0 score. But New York was shut out in its two losses to Miami FC and Loudoun United. Forward Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored the lone goal thus far after tallying 4 last season for his former club, the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Picking right back up: Midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo scored a career-high 9 goals in 2021, while forward Brian Ownby numbered 5 goals and a career-high 9 assists. The momentum appears to have spilled over into 2022 with DelPiccolo netting the first half opener in LouCity’s weekend victory over Miami FC before Ownby used his speed down the right side to create a another goal for the club in the second half.
Impact signing: After netting a game-winning goal in his club debut in Week 1, forward Wilson Harris found himself involved in another key chance Saturday. DelPiccolo’s 36th-minute first shot caromed off Harris, who was ultimately credited with an assist as DelPiccolo fired in the rebound. Harris is expected to see extended time at striker as Cameron Lancaster — LouCity’s leading scorer in 2021 with 21 goals — recovers from a hamstring injury.
He’s the Man(ny): Billed as a versatile offseason signing, Manny Perez has lived up to expectations, first with a USL Championship Team of the Week performance in the opener. Perez continued to show superior ability on the ball from the right back spot on Saturday when he slotted a ball in behind to Ownby, setting up the assist on a decisive second goal. Perez also led LouCity with 4 dribbles completed and competed 91.7% of passes in the final third.
Sweet 16: Following in the footsteps of USL Championship Young Player of the Year Jonathan Gomez, defender Josh Wynder has the look of LouCity’s next great teenaged sensation. The 16-year-old has gone a full 90 minutes in both of LouCity’s games thus far, leading the team in passing accuracy (89.7%) and ranking second behind fellow center back Wes Charpie in touches (76) in the Miami win.
One to watch: Forward Jorge Gonzalez, signed to a permanent LouCity deal after playing for the club on loan last season, hasn’t yet registered a goal or assist. But he’s knocking on the door. Gonzalez on Saturday completed 14 passes in the final third, tried 6 crosses and created 3 chances, all team highs. His average position was farther back on the pitch than only the goal scorers DelPiccolo and Ownby, according to Stats Perform.
Between the posts: Through two games, Kyle Morton’s duties in goal have gone much like those who preceded him. LouCity’s goalkeepers aren’t often called upon, but they have to come up big in key moments. Morton thwarted a one-on-one counter in the Atlanta victory and saved both shots on target Miami presented him, a solid start for a player twice named a finalist for USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year.
Youth movement: For the first time Saturday, multiple LouCity Academy products finished a game on the field together with Wynder getting the start and midfielder Carlos Moguel Jr. coming on as an 86th-minute substitute. Four players have completed the club’s path to pro, with defender Owen Damm a rookie this season and Elijah Wynder — Josh’s older brother — out on loan to USL League One’s FC Tucson.
Home fortress: Chilly game night temperatures haven’t prevented Lynn Family Stadium from upholding its reputation so far this season. Attendance has averaged 8,582, and LouCity has continued a run of just one home loss dating back to when COVID-19 capacity restrictions lifted last June. After Wednesday’s game at Red Bulls II, the boys in purple turn right around to host rival Indy Eleven at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
