By Chris Mattingly
Last year, Louisville City FC set club records for points earned (72) and wins in a single season (22) en route to raising the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference trophy.
But all the victories came at a cost: By the time the boys in purple were to line up for the USL Championship Final, they found themselves shorthanded due to injury. Key players either missed or went up against minutes limits in a 3-1 defeat at San Antonio FC.
Five months later, the situation is similar leading into 7:30 p.m. Saturday, when LouCity hosts San Antonio in a highly anticipated rematch at Lynn Family Stadium.
“We’re still really struggling with injuries,” said coach Danny Cruz. “That’s just the reality of the situation.”
Two players newly over their ailments contributed the winning goal last Saturday in a 1-0 victory over Detroit City FC, with a late cross from Dylan Mares finding the foot of Wilson Harris. Both are hitting their groove as Harris returns from a preseason concussion and Mares logs valuable minutes following thumb surgery. That’s in addition to Jorge Gonzalez, who missed the start of the season due to a knee injury but was voted Man of the Match against Detroit.
Cruz is, of course, thrilled to have them all back in the fold. But he rattled a host of other names that still need to get fit, including midfielder Niall McCabe, defender Jordan Scarlett, forward Cameron Lancaster, forward Ray Serrano and defender Wes Charpie.
“Those are a lot of pieces,” Cruz said. “It’s not just about the quality of the individual, but when you have that (depth), it pushes everybody to be at their best. So no, by no stretch are we healthy enough yet. It’s still going to be some time.”
Even missing them, however, “You saw a lot of quality” against Detroit, Cruz said. LouCity bounced back from consecutive USL Championship defeats to top Detroit in a dominant performance.
“I felt our group has stuck together through all of it,” Cruz added. “We are excited to get another opportunity against (San Antonio).”
Harris said it’s been a difference maker to start returning players from injury. Saturday marked his first start of the season in league play following midweek minutes in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“I think whenever we can get guys back and add depth to the lineup, its huge for everyone,” Harris said. “Whoever is available I know can do the job.”
Mares said that even without its full array of players, LouCity’s “a team with a lot of depth and quality. It’s showing. We have guys who are filling in roles, coming in and doing a good job. That’s what defines a championship team: utilizing everyone that is available at the moment.”
