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This time, some Cameron Lancaster heroics weren’t enough.

The Louisville City FC striker put away a beauty of a free kick Wednesday, but a pair of poor touches led to Sporting KC II goals as the visitors walked away with a 2-1 victory at Lynn Family Stadium.

The result, the first win in 2020 for Sporting KC II (1-3), marked the third loss for LouCity (2-3) in four games since the USL Championship restarted play earlier this month.

Coach and sporting director John Hackworth said after the final whistle that, “We have too much quality to at times put on the performance that we did tonight.

“…“We didn’t play our game, and in the first half you could tell we were tentative,” Hackworth added. “After a real good start, for whatever reason, we played really conservative. We’re a team that doesn’t play backwards a lot, and we went backwards a lot tonight. We didn’t take guys on one versus one when we could have. We didn’t attack them the way that we should have.”

Lancaster’s tally came in the 21st minute. From outside the box, he went right to left with a set piece strike that gave the opposing goalkeeper no chance to save.

The Major League Soccer loanee from Nashville SC has now netted three shots on the season, ranking second in the league behind Indy Eleven forward Tyler Pasher’s five. His other two goals both put LouCity on the better end of 1-0 victories.

At the time Wednesday, Lancaster leveled the score 1-1 after Sporting got on the board in the sixth minute. A cross was deflected but not cleared by the LouCity back line, allowing forward Dominik Resetar the chance to slot his shot in the back of the net.

The game winner followed in the 83rd minute. LouCity was poised to regain possession in the midfield, but a short-footed pass led to a turnover. Jake Davis led the break, assisting Wilson Harris’ goal.

LouCity wasn’t without opportunities during the run of play, particularly during a 13th-minute sequence. The 16-year-old Jonathan Gomez — making his first start on a professional contract — crossed well into Lancaster. LouCity’s initial try was saved, Sporting goalkeeper Remi Prieur managed to gather himself up, then dove to block the putback try by Napo Matsoso.

Later, in the 76th minute, Akil Watts was taken down on a collision in the box. Much to the chagrin of 4,850 fans at Lynn Family Stadium, there was no whistle from the referee — and there was ultimately no late answer from the boys in purple.

“It was a really great experience for me, and obviously the team is the most important and we didn’t get the result,” Gomez said after the start, “so it is an accomplishment for me but we have to build on it, turn it around this week and keep working.”

The stat sheet reads in familiar fashion during this early season skid as LouCity out-shot its opponent 21-9 and held possession the majority of the way, at 53.5%. But the points didn’t follow.

There’s extra time to ponder this outcome with the club off this weekend. Loucity next hosts USL Group E-leading Indy Eleven on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Lynn Family Stadium in what will be a key matchup in the bigger picture.

LouCity’s fighting to finish in the top half of a pod also consisting of Saint Louis FC and Sporting KC II. The No. 1 and 2 clubs advance to the playoffs at the end of a 16-game regular season.

Game Summary

Match: Louisville City FC vs. Sporting KC ll

Date: July 29, 2020

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

Weather: 92 degrees, mostly sunny

Man of the Match: Cameron Lancaster

Attendance: 4,850

Scoring

Louisville City FC (1,0,1)

Sporting KC ll (1,1,2)

Goals

Louisville City: 21’ – Cameron Lancaster from a free kick with a right-footed shot to the top left corner.

Sporting KC ll: 8’ – Dominik Resetar right-footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jaret Townsend. 83’ – Wilson Harris left-footed shot from the center of the box to the center of the goal. Assisted by Jacob Davis.

Lineups

Louisville City FC: 39- Ben Lundt, 8- Akil Watts, 4- Sean Totsch, 5- Jimmy Ockford, 42- Jonathan Gomez, 80- Devon Williams, 27- Napo Matsoso (45’ 13- Corben Bone), 11- Niall McCabe, 29- Antoine Hoppenot (65’ 22- George Davis lll) , 14- Abdou Thiam (45’ 10- Brian Ownby), 17- Cameron Lancaster (65’ 9- Luke Spencer)

Subs not used: 1- Chris Hubbard, 6- Wes Charpie, 19- Oscar Jimenez

Head Coach: John Hackworth

Sporting KC ll: 42- Remi Prieur, 44- Camden Riley (88’ 88- Sam Raben), 48- Kaveh Rad, 33- Danny Barbir, 40- Dillon Serna, 39- Petar Cuic, 35- Duval Wapiwo (55’ 46- Jake Davis), 32- Christian Duke, 99- Jaret Townsend (62’ 96- Wilson Harris), 34- Dominik Rešetar (88’ 84- Jahon Rad), 77- Enoch Mushagalusa (55’ 80- Fredinho Mompremier) 

Subs not used: 31- Brooks Thompson, 72- Ryan Fessler

Head Coach: Paulo Nagamura

Discipline

Louisville City FC: 36’ #5 Ockford- yellow card; 93’ #4 Totsch- yellow card

Sporting KC ll: 61’ #34 Rešetar- yellow card

Stats Summary: Louisville/Sporting KC

Shots: 21/9

Shots on Goal: 9/3

Saves: 1/8

Corner Kicks: 5/2

Fouls: 10/19

Offside: 2/3

It was the 50th-minute header from Louisville City FC striker Cameron Lancaster that finally broke the stalemate last Saturday against Sporting KC II.

Upon further review, however, LouCity coach and sporting director John Hackworth says the boys in purple could have prevailed by a wider margin than 1-0.

“We need to see if there is that little bit of detail that we can improve on,” Hackworth told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s 8 p.m. rematch with Sporting KC II at Lynn Family Stadium. “For instance, when we talk about going over the film…[there was] a lot of discussion about those details and what we can collectively do better.

“Obviously, you have to think about what Sporting Kansas City is going to do differently — but focusing on us, if we can get that a little bit sharper and make the adjustment.”

Hackworth said “there are some secrets,” no doubt, both sides are keeping ahead of kickoff. Lineup rotation is likely with the short turnaround, and he cited a hard-fought game that may have left players nursing some minor ailments between games.

That’s all before the opening whistle. Hackworth cited the mix of talented youth — SKC II started five academy players — and experience of players such as 29-year-old captain Christian Duke in the midfield and 26-year-old Dillon Serna who will make a sweep difficult to accomplish.

“I think you saw two teams that play a very similar style, have very similar ideas, and that means it’s a chess match the whole time,” he said. “Which one of you can where the other down, where can you break down your opponent? We need to get some of those details right.”

Last week, LouCity defender Pat McMahon likened back-to-back games against the same opponent to the Friday-Sunday scheduling commonplace in the USL’s earlier days. Hackworth, formerly in charge of the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team, said he’s experience this sort of swing in the international game but not professionally.

“We’re trying to figure out from our side how we can put out the best 11 possible,” Hackworth said. “I’m sure Sporting Kansas City is doing the same. They have a more difficult task than we do because they have a game on the weekend, where we don’t have a game.

“We might have a little bit more [of a] chance to take a risk, where they have to manage these three games in a week. It’s going to be interesting and tough, from both of us, but I do expect you will see some new faces out there by necessity.” 

Jason Johnson, a Jamaican international forward with multiple years of Major League Soccer experience, has added some firepower to Louisville City FC’s roster as a midseason signing announced Monday.

Pending league and federation approval, Johnson will be eligible for selection as soon as Wednesday, when LouCity hosts Sporting Kansas City II at 8 p.m. inside Lynn Family Stadium.

“I’m happy to be a part of a franchise that knows how to win. The history speaks for itself,” Johnson said. “I’ll hope to relieve pressure from the defenders and midfielders with my technical abilities. It’s not just about scoring goals, but scoring goals and winning games, because there’s a difference.”

Johnson, 29, most recently suited up for Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship’s Western Conference. He tallied nine goals in 2018, among them a soaring scissor kick strike off a teammate’s cross that won him the USL’s Goal of the Month award for June.

A lower body injury slowed Johnson in 2019 after a strong start in Phoenix. He’d tallied three goals and an assist in eight appearances before the setback kept him out much of the year.

Johnson said that during his time off, LouCity assistant coach and technical director Danny Cruz reached out to wish him well. The two had trained together during previous offseasons and maintained their connection. 

“Jason is a dynamic attacking player who is a proven goal scorer,” said LouCity head coach and sporting director John Hackworth. “More importantly, Danny and I believe his character will add to an already strong locker room mentality.” 

Johnson entered the professional ranks as the 13th pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft out of Virginia Commonwealth University. Named the Atlantic 10’s Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was selected by the Houston Dynamo before a trade sent him to the Chicago Fire.

Johnson joined the USL’s San Antonio FC for the 2016 season, preceding his move to Phoenix. 

At 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, Johnson also owns international experience, including a 2012 friendly appearance for Jamaica’s first team, known as the Reggae Boyz, while still a high schooler.

Looking for help in its attack, LouCity has scored two goals in three games since the USL Championship’s restart earlier this month. The boys in purple enter Wednesday off a 1-0 victory over Sporting KC II. Twelve regular-season games remain in their interrupted USL season.

Some 13 days after debuting Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville City FC registered its first win Saturday night inside the new facility.

The message with two straight defeats preceding a 1-0 victory over Sporting KC II? The boys in purple feel as if they have momentum again.

“You want that and you want the confidence,” said defender Oscar Jimenez. “When you don’t pick up wins, there’s doubt, especially with a group like this that is so used to winning. It’s a strange feeling, so it is great to get that win but it’s a 1-0 victory — a gritty performance.

“There is a lot of stuff we can improve on and get better at. Hopefully we can do that next game.”

LouCity, which one the USL cup in 2017 and 2018, then reached the final again in 2019, would have put itself in a precarious position amid a shortened season without points earned against Sporting KC II.

The visitors — who will remain in Louisville for an 8 p.m. Wednesday rematch — were also without a win since the USL Championship restart.

Cameron Lancaster’s 50th-minute header assisted on a cross from midfielder Niall McCabe made the difference early in the second half.

“I just try and put it in dangerous areas and let them do the rest,” McCabe said. “Thankfully Cam is pretty good at doing that. It was a great header.”

Sporting KC II had a pair of opportunities to equalize, both in the 63rd minute. LouCity goalkeeper Ben Lundt cleared them off to keep a clean sheet.

“Two huge saves from Ben really kept them off the score sheet, and that is massive and what you need from your keeper in those moments,” said LouCity coach John Hackworth. “It has been a really competitive battle between Chris (Hubbard) and Ben, but we talked about whoever was going to play tonight needs to step up and make the most of the opportunity. Ben certainly did that.”

LouCity improved to 2-2 on the season. Six points equal the tally of rival Saint Louis FC in the USL’s “Group E” standings led by Indy Eleven’s 12 points. The top-two finishers at season’s end make the playoffs.

Sporting KC II rounds out the group, but LouCity’s players remarked on the challenge ahead this week. Different lineups can be expected owing to rotation, making depth of high importance.

“There are no easy games, and they’re a great young team with some brilliant players, so it won’t be easy for us for sure,” McCabe said. “With a quick turnaround we will have to use the squad and I’m sure they will as well.

“We had a couple of guys go down with knocks and stuff like that, so we will do our best to manage that with the quick turnaround and see where we can go Wednesday.”

Having entered Saturday on a two-game losing skid, Louisville City FC managed to resume business as usual, defeating visiting Sporting KC II in familiar fashion for the boys in purple.

Dominating possession in the attacking half of the field, LouCity broke through in the 50th minute when midfielder Niall McCabe found striker Cameron Lancaster’s head on a cross from out wide.

Goalkeeper Ben Lundt then turned away Sporting KC II’s best shots on goal — both in the 63rd minute — for a 1-0 first victory for the franchise inside Lynn Family Stadium.

“Obviously a much better feeling this evening, and I’m really proud of the team,” said LouCity head coach and sporting director John Hackworth. “We needed to come out and have a response from our last two matches and specifically do it here in this building. I thought the team had some good moments in that game and played some excellent soccer. Particularly I was pleased with coming out of halftime and the adjustments that were made.

“I really thought the guys put them under pressure early and obviously getting the goal. Then, it turned into being a little bit gritty and a grind, but you have to do that. I think that’s one thing: When you play the way that we do, you lose a couple and it’s easy to think, ‘Are we actually going to get up?’ Huge credit to these guys. They dug deep.”

LouCity improved to 2-2 with a win over its USL Championship “Group E” rival, with Sporting KC II staying in town for a rematch Wednesday. Those two clubs along with Indy Eleven and Saint Louis FC will battle throughout this abridged season for a pair of playoff spots from the regional pod.

According to Opta statistics, LouCity just edged out Saturday’s visitors in possession, holding the ball 50.3% of the way. But in doing so, the boys in purple more than doubled Sporting KC II in shots (15-7), open play crosses (20-9) and corners taken (4-1), keeping proceedings primarily on their preferred side of the half line.

“We know the first two games hadn’t been good enough at all here, and this club is used to winning and winning the right way – with hard work and good football and all those attributes that we’ve shown over the last five years,” McCabe said. “We really looked at the first two games, and it wasn’t acceptable on our part. We really wanted to make it right — get a win for us, the fans and everyone involved who put in hard work and give us something to build on.” 

Neither team managed a look on goal in the first half, with LouCity defender Oscar Jimenez deflecting away the best opportunity when Enoch Mushagalusa had a point-blank look on the home side.

But Sporting KC II also rolled out a lineup with five academy players and an average age for its starters of 21.8 years old. The veterans took control shortly out of the locker room.

Lancaster, the USL’s 2018 Golden Boot winner on loan from Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC, nearly put LouCity ahead in the 47th minute. He elevated a ball into the box with one touch, and his succeeding bicycle attempt skirted just wide.

Three minutes later, Lancaster’s second goal of the season dating back to a March 7 game winner at North Carolina FC evened his club’s record on the season.

“Toward the end of the first half we had a big stretch where we kept the ball and we were moving it quickly,” Jimenez said, “and I think going into the locker room at halftime we spoke about being calm under pressure and being able to string some passes around to open them up.

“I think that is what we did in the second half – strung some passes and found Niall out wide who put a really good ball in for Cam who made a good run.”

Lundt, between the posts as LouCity’s starting goalkeeper, preserved the victory with a one-on-one save against Sporting Kansas City II’s Jaret Townsend before staving off another try by Mushagalusa, both within 60 seconds.

LouCity nearly added to its tally in stoppage time when Brian Ownby and Luke Spencer traded touches, with Spencer getting the final nudge into the back of the net. The goal was called off due to a ruled hand ball, but LouCity walked away with all three points nonetheless.

Game Summary

Match: Louisville City FC vs. Sporting KC ll

Date: July 25, 2020

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

Weather: 94 degrees, mostly sunny

Man of the Match: Cameron Lancaster

Attendance: 4,850

Scoring

Louisville City FC (0,1,1)

Sporting KC ll (0,0,0)

Goals

Louisville City: Cameron Lancaster header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Niall McCabe.

Lineups

Louisville City FC: 39- Ben Lundt, 15- Pat McMahon, 4- Sean Totsch, 6- Wes Charpie (59’ 5- Jimmy Ockford), 19- Oscar Jimenez (70’ 42- Jonathan Gomez), 80- Devon Williams, 27- Napo Matsoso, 13- Corben Bone (79’ 3- Alexis Souahy), 11- Niall McCabe, 10- Brian Ownby, 17- Cameron Lancaster (70’ 9- Luke Spencer)

Subs not used: 1- Chris Hubbard, 14- Abdou Thiam, 29- Antoine Hoppenot

Head Coach: John Hackworth

Sporting KC ll: 31- Brooks Thompson, 88- Sam Raben (78’ 71- Mason Leeth), 48- Kaveh Rad, 39- Petar Cuic, 40- Dillon Serna, 44- Camden Riley (78’ 33- Danny Barbir), 46- Jake Davis, 32- Christian Duke (84’ 34- Dominik Rešetar), 77- Enoch Mushagalusa (85’ 65- Isaiah LeFlorem, 96- Wilson Harris, 80- Fredinho Mompremier (55’ 99- Jaret Townsend)

Subs not used: 42- Remi Prieur, 35- Duval Wapiwo

Head Coach: Paulo Nagamura

Discipline

Louisville City FC: 19’ Napo Matsoso- yellow card; 67’ Oscar Jimenez- yellow card

Sporting KC ll: 32’ Christian Duke- yellow card, 87’ Kaveh Rad- yellow card

Stats Summary: Louisville / Sporting KC

Shots: 15/7

Shots on Goal: 2/2

Saves: 2/1

Corner Kicks: 5/1

Fouls: 15/15

Offside: 3/6