By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC defeated Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC by a 2-0 score Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium in a crucial fight for the Eastern Conference’s top spot.
With more than 11,000 in attendance, LouCity netted first in the 20th minute after team pressing allowed City winger Enoch Mushagalusa to intercept the ball high up the pitch. He then played it through to Amadou Dia who crossed the ball across the face of the goal to an outstretched Wilson Harris. The boys in purple doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Harris slid the ball through to Mushagalusa, who took it on the turn and fired a deflected shot past the Pittsburgh goalkeeper.
A Riverhounds red card capped off the night when the USL Championship’s all-time leading scorer, Dane Kelly, was sent off for high contact with City center back Ian Soler on a challenge in the 80th minute.
The win cushioned LouCity’s hold over pole position in the Eastern Conference as the lead now stands at four points. Coach Danny Cruz’s team is also 11 games unbeaten across all competitions to start 2022 and holds a 6-0-3 record in the USL Championship while boasting six clean sheets in nine league games.
Pittsburgh came into Saturday as one of the best attacking teams in the league, with Kelly leading the USL in goals with 6. The loss for the Riverhounds dropped them to third in the Eastern Conference behind Detroit City FC.
“I wanted us to send a message,” Cruz said after the game. “I felt that we started the game really well. The goal came from a well-worked press, good delivery from [Dia], and a good run from Wilson. And then the second goal was amazing football. It’s what I see in training week in and week out.
“I would say it was a complete performance, and I’m really, really proud of the group.”
A solid back-Bone
City midfielder Corben Bone was all over the pitch against the Riverhounds, working both sides of the ball throughout an 86-minute shift.
The 33-year-old created the most chances on the field (3), passes into the final third (23), and tackles (4). On LouCity’s first goal, Bone’s awareness also made sure that his potentially offside position didn’t interfere with Dia’s cross to Harris.
Bone’s 3 interceptions and 4 duels often forced Pittsburgh onto its back foot. Additionally, Bone kept star Hounds chance creator Daniel Griffin quiet, limiting him to no big chances taken or created.
Bone almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 75th minute after Harris fed him through, but he couldn’t get the ball past the keeper to finish off one of the season’s strongest performances that, due to his position behind the main attack, flew under the radar.
Forwards stay in form
LouCity’s attacking players continued their impressive output on Saturday night, in particular Mushagalusa, who also scored last time out against the Charleston Battery to secure a 1-1 away draw.
Mushagalusa earned another start and went 67 minutes against Pittsburgh. Besides scoring, he recorded the most successful dribbles, gained possession eight times from Pittsburgh, and won the most duels out of his teammates.
Harris registered his fifth goal and second assist of the season against the Riverhounds. As with Mushagalusa, he moved to LouCity in the offseason from Sporting KC II and has excelled, trying 5 shots — 3 of them forcing saves — and created a pair of big chances versus Pittsburgh. Harris’ holdup play has improved immensely over the course of the season, with a noticeable difference in his knack for keeping possession while teammates step in to help
“[Harris’] goals are him being rewarded for the work he does both on and off the ball,” Cruz said. “His defensive work rate is tremendous. His movement is excellent, and he’s a kid who fights for the team at every moment.”
With Mushagalusa on the left wing, Brian Ownby held down the right side Saturday. The veteran pitched in with a shot, 3 crosses and 5 entries into Pittsburgh’s final third.
What we learned
With victories over Pittsburgh and, earlier in the month at San Diego Loyal, LouCity has twice beaten teams at or near the top of their conference by multiple goals early in the USL Championship season.
Even with a two-goal lead Saturday, City’s energy never seemed to drop off, with pressure extending into stoppage time. That’s after a 2021 season that often saw the boys in purple allowing opponents to creep back into contention with late goals. Pittsburgh constantly found itself under pressure, and the Riverhounds weren’t able to build any momentum from out of the back.
Finally, LouCity’s discipline against Pittsburgh should be noted. While the boys in purple received no yellow cards, the Riverhounds racked up two and a red card. Discipline, especially in playoff stages, is critical to LouCity maintaining a solid starting lineup without the prospect of suspensions.
“I’m happy with where we are,” said Cruz. “But, I said it earlier this week, I feel like we have another level to hit. This was another step forward, no doubt about it. We are certainly — at the moment — playing really well, and I’m happy with that.”
