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Louisville City FC leaves Highmark Stadium with a point after a 2-2 draw with Riverhounds SC. The result leaves Hackworth’s group in 3rd place on 48 points, level with Charleston Battery on that same amount and two points behind Pittsburgh, who sit in second with 50 points.

What Happened?
A tight first 15 minutes saw little go for either side, though the hosts continued to pile pressure on City’s goal. In the 18th minute,Los Morados had their first scare as Pittsburgh broke in behind the back line only for a goal line clearance from Paco Craig to keep the score level. 

After 24 minutes, City got their first chance of the evening from an Oscar Jimenez free kick. Delivering a beautiful, curling ball towards the near post from a deep position, no one could manage a touch on it as it fell safely to Riverhounds SC ‘keeper Dan Lynd. 

However, slightly against the run of play, City were able to open the scoresheet and in spectacular fashion. Earning a free kick just inside the Pittsburgh half, defender Paco Craig clipped a ball into forward Cameron Lancaster at the edge of the 18-yard-box. Settling it without a touch on the ground, Lancaster turned and fired a left-footed volley that landed cleanly and rolled into the back of the net. The remarkable finish was his 19th goal of the season as he continues to position himself in front for the USL Golden Boot. For Paco Craig, his assist was the first of the year, becoming the 15th player on the LouCity roster to tally an assist this season.

Riverhounds SC would not be perturbed, though, and immediately threatened the City goal after 35 minutes. Streaking down the left flank, Pittsburgh pulled back a clean pass for forward Neco Brett to latch onto. Shooting on goal from close range, City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh produced a fantastic denial to preserve the lead and add to his list of unbelievable stops.

At the break, City led Riverhounds SC, 0-1.

The second half started slow for both sides as they poked and prodded around each other’s defenses in search of a goal. City would be first to make contact when they earned a free kick just outside the box in the 68th minute. Substitute Shaun Francis took charge of the effort with a curling left-footed effort, but against Lynd would be equal to the effort.

Two minutes later, City could not be stopped as they doubled their advantage in the 70th minute thanks to a first professional goal by Alexis Souahy. As midfielder George Davis IV chipped a pass back to the far post, defender Paco Craig squared a headed pass to the Frenchman, who nodded home from close range. The assist was Craig’s second of the night.

In the 86th minute, things took a brief sour turn when City conceded an own goal to allow Riverhounds SC a way back into the match. As Riverhounds SC continued to push forward, they would earn a chance at a late equalizer as defender Oscar Jimenez was charged with bringing down a Riverhounds SC attacker in the penalty area. Stepping up to the spot, Pittsburgh skipper Kenardo Forbes sent Ranjitsingh the wrong way and converted his penalty to level the score at two apiece.

With not enough time to mount an attack, City were left frustrated but managed a point out of their final visit to Highmark Stadium in the regular season.

Los Moradosturn immediately to Wednesday night when they travel to face Penn FC at FNB Field with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET. City is proud to host Noche Latinain its next home match against Ottawa Fury FC, set for Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Slugger Field. Tickets are available for as low as $16 by calling (502) 384-8799, option 2, or online at www.loucity.com.

The Key Points:

• Forward Cameron Lancaster buried his 19th goal of the season to give City the lead
• Defender Alexis Souahy scored his first professional goal on Paco Craig’s second assist to double City’s advantage
• A late own goal for LouCity saw Pittsburgh pull one back
• Riverhounds SC converted a penalty deep into stoppage to steal a point from the visitors

Injury Report:
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen (Knee sprain)
OUT – Brian Ownby (Concussion)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2 : 2 Louisville City FC
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Highmark Stadium | Pittsburgh, PA
80 degrees / sunny

Scoring Summary:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Paco Craig) 32’
LOU – Alexis Souahy (Paco Craig) 70’
PGH – LouCity Own Goal 86’
PGH – Kenardo Forbes (p) 90+1

Disciplinary Summary:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (caution) 55’
PGH – Joseph Greenspan (caution) 68’
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo (caution) 90+4’

Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Kyle Smith, Alexis Souahy, Paco Craig, Oscar Jimenez; Paolo DelPiccolo, Devon “Speedy” Williams (Shaun Francis 63’); Niall McCabe, Ilija Ilic (Jose Carranza 80’), George Davis IV; Cameron Lancaster (Luke Spencer 90+3’)

Bench: Tim Dobrowolski, Pat McMahon, Sean Totsch, Richard Ballard

Louisville City FC is thrilled to announce the signing of Lesotho-born, Louisville-raised midfielder Napo Matsoso for the remainder of the 2018 season, pending federation approval. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed, per club policy.

LouCity coach John Hackworth expressed his happiness in bringing in a player like Matsoso:
“Napo is someone that came recommended by (former LouCity goalkeeping coach) Thabane Sutu and has trained with the team already.”

“He provides depth in a couple of positions where we are thin. He’s in excellent shape and has looked good in his brief training with us and we’re hopeful he can provide depth for us as we close out what is becoming an increasingly important final few games.”

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder was born in Lesotho but raised in Louisville, Kentucky, after leaving his family at a young age to pursue the sport. Working his way up, Matsoso was recruited to join the ranks at the University of Kentucky, where he became a conference standout. As a Wildcat, Matsoso scored 19 goals and racked up 20 assists on the way to earning NSCAA Second Team All-American honors.

Following a successful collegiate career, the midfielder was selected as the 31st pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution.

Most recently, Matsoso spent time with Mississippi Brilla in the USL Premier Development League, the former club of LouCity defender Oscar Jimenez. In total, Matsoso scored four goals and registered one assist in 10 games played.

After a brief trial, Matsoso joins the club effective immediately and is eligible to face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday night. Matsoso will don the No. 27 shirt for Louisville City FC.

PLAYER INFORMATION
Name:             Napo Matsoso
Position:         Midfielder
Birthplace:     Maseru, Lesotho
Hometown:    Louisville, KY
Born:               5/27/1994
Height:            5’6
Weight:           150 lbs
Prev. Club:     Mississippi Brilla (USL PDL)

Louisville City FC Permanent Roster as of Friday, September 14:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Dobrolowski, Chris Hubbard, Greg Ranjitsingh

DEFENDERS (6): Paco Craig, Pat McMahon, Alexis Souahy, Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Shaun Francis

MIDFIELDERS (10): Richard Ballard, Jose Carranza, George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Brian Ownby, Magnus Rasmussen, Kyle Smith, Devon “Speedy” Williams

FORWARDS (3):Ilija Ilic, Cameron Lancaster, Luke Spencer

– LouisvilleCityFC.com | Follow Louisville City FC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram–

Louisville City FC travels to the Steel City to face Bob Lilley and Riverhounds SC in a major Eastern Conference clash with multiple implications on an already tight playoff picture.

City is looking to rebound off Tuesday’s 0-1 loss to Cincinnati, while Pittsburgh enters off the back of a 4-1 win over Steel FC, their only win in their last five contests.

When & Where
The match is set to take place at Highmark Stadium with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

The match will be aired on WBKI as well as streamed on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the match on 790 WKRD. Fans can also follow #PGHvLOU on Twitter & Instagram.

TV: WBKI
RADIO: 790 WKRD
STREAM: ESPN+

DOWNLOAD: LouCity app for iOS | LouCity app for Android

Where They Stand
Louisville City FC:
13-6-8, 47 points – 4th in EC

Riverhounds SC:
13-4-10, 49 points – 2nd in EC

Last Time Out
LouCity dropped just their second home contest of the 2018 season when they fell to FC Cincinnati, 0-1, in the final regular season Dirty River Derby.

On a night with much rain in the forecast, the “Boys in Purple” entered Saturday’s match in search for their first win at Slugger Field since July 21. 

Slipping and sliding across the field, both sides spent the first 22 minutes in a back-and-forth battle for possession before FC Cincinnati opened the scoring. A ball from Cincinnati’s Manu Ledesma lead midfielder Corben Bone into the penalty box, who eventually slipped one past Louisville City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh and into the back of the net. 

After fifteen more minutes of play, the match was delayed due to lightning in the area. The match would be suspended until Tuesday, September 11, with the game clock set to 37:43 as play resumed. 

Once the match resumed, Louisville City pressed in an attempt to strike before the break but came up emptyhanded and headed into the half down a goal. 

The team’s scoring opportunity would come for the “Boys in Purple” when Oscar Jimenez’s 66th minute run finished with a foul above the box once again. The ever-dangerous forward Cameron Lancaster stepped up and delivered a beautiful shot, though the bending free kick wound up just right of the far post. 

A pressing attack from Louisville City would see the club finish with nearly 60% possession, but a plethora of second-half chances never broke the stingy play from the Cincinnati back line.

Rewind against Riverhounds SC
City’s first home loss of the year came against Riverhounds SC in their last meeting on Wednesday, June 27 at Slugger Field. A goal by Pittsburgh midfielder Kenardo Forbes in the 79th minute helped the visitors steal three points from City, who were in their fourth match in 11 days across all competitions.

Riverhounds SC were first to test the opposition ‘keeper with a breakaway chance in the 23rd minute for midfielder Christiano Francois. Getting past the City defense, Francois closed down on goal only for goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh to make a crucial double save to keep the score level.

Just over ten minutes later, Ranjitsingh was at it again with his heroics. A half chance fell for Riverhounds SC’s Thomas Vancayezeele and the midfielder produced a sweet strike that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for Ranjitsingh to meet the effort and save the scoreline once more.

At the halftime interval, City was locked up at zero with no goals for either side. 

The second was a cagey affair as City pushed for the first goal of the match. Reinforcements in the form of Brian Ownby, Pat McMahon, and Cameron Lancaster were brought on for Shaun Francis, Oscar Jimenez, and Ilija Ilic, but City could not break through. 

Instead, Pittsburgh hit first on the counter in the 79th minute off a goal by Kenardo Forbes. As a cross come into the box, Forbes was first to the ball and put a shot on frame from inside the box. Deflecting off a defender on the way, the shot somehow snuck through a pile of bodies to give the visitors the lead.

LouCity tried it all from left, right, and central positions but Riverhounds SC would only bend, not break, and at the full-time whistle, their 0-1 advantage would be enough to take three points from Louisville.

Coach John Hackworth’s pre-match comments
On facing Riverhounds SC on Saturday: 
“I’m expecting to go there and have a team that has proven this season to be very tough, especially at home on that field. We have a huge challenge in front of us. Not only to be on the road but our opponent is well-coached, they are organized, they know exactly how they want to play and they know how to take advantage of their opponents.” 

On seeing Pittsburgh play: 
“I don’t think it’s a huge secret, their style and what they’re trying to do. I do think it’s unique that they show some different looks and they press in different ways dependent on who they are playing. We’ll have to make sure that we deal with everything they throw at us and for sure we’re going to have to make some adjustments in game to take advantage of that.” 

On what he has and hasn’t liked from his side as of late: 
“I really like our attacking soccer right now. We’ve done an excellent job of unbalancing our opponents and creating opportunities but we haven’t taken advantage of those chances. We have to do a better job of executing in the final third. Our transition and our pressure has been really good, and yet we let ourselves down in some moments where defensively we have to be better.” 

On the race for the playoffs: 
“I don’t think we’re worried about the playoffs at all but we are definitely always focused on the next game ahead because it has such big implications for the playoffs.”

KY Lottery Kees to the Game
Another difficult test for City pits them against a defensively sound Riverhounds side… Here are the KY Lottery Kees to the Game for #PGHvLOU:

1. Mute Neco Brett
2. Look to strike quickly in transition
3. Prevent Pitt from finding space on the break

Team News
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen (Knee Sprain)
OUT – Brian Ownby (Concussion)

Louisville City FC forward Cameron Lancaster has been voted the USL Player of the Month for August as he led the league with eight goals and added two assists across the month. The award is Lancaster’s second of the season, who also claimed the Player of the Month award in April, with the English striker now leading the race for the USL Golden Boot with 18 goals this season.

Lancaster scored in four games across the month for the defending USL Cup champion, recording at least two goals in a game on three occasions including his first hat-trick for the club in Louisville’s 6-4 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on August 10. The 25-year-old paid tribute to his teammates for their help this season in putting up a career year after notching the game-winner in last season’s USL Cup.

“On a personal level it’s really nice to be recognized for the efforts I put in the games and the season but at the same time, this is a team sport and I wouldn’t be in those sorts of positions if it wasn’t for my teammates,” said Lancaster. “I also really have to thank the fans for their support as I know they got behind me there and that means a lot.”

“I’m really happy for Cam,” added Louisville Head Coach John Hackworth. “Obviously, he was on a bit of a goal tear and he is deserved of this kind of award. He has been so much more than a goalscorer for us, though. He’s been a catalyst for our attack and I’m happy to see him get more recognition for that.”

Lancaster received 48 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLSoccer.com. Phoenix Rising FC’s Solomon Asante finished second after recording six goals across the month for Rising FC to keep the side in contention for a first-place finish in the Western Conference.

USL Player of the Month – August

Louisville City FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are set to face off on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn. LouCity is looking to get back in the win column after a 1-0 loss over two nights to FC Cincinnati. 

Last Time Against Pittsburgh
Louisville City FC and Pittsburgh last met at the end of June at Slugger Field. Riverhounds SC took home the 0-1 win and three points after a goal by Kenardo Forbes in the 79thminute. That match was the City’s fourth in 11 days. 

Scouting Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is coming off a 4-1 win over Bethlehem Steel FC. The Riverhounds are currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of LouCity. Pittsburgh has had three draws, one loss and one win in their last five matches. Neco Brett leads the Riverhounds in scoring and is tied for fifth-most goals scored in the USL with 14. Since the end of July, teams have only scored more than one goal against Pittsburgh on two separate occasions. 

Series History
Louisville and Pittsburgh have met each season since City’s inaugural year in 2015. Louisville holds the series advantage 5-2-2, including the match in June of this year. The only other loss to the Riverhounds came in the side’s final meeting of the 2015 season. Throughout the series, Louisville has never conceded more than two goals to Pittsburgh, which has only happened on one occasion. 

After resuming play from Saturday’s match against Cincinnati with the visitors up 0-1 and 37:43 on the clock, LouCity could not find the goal they needed as they dropped the final Dirty River Derby of the regular season to Cincinnati in front of just over 10,000 at Slugger Field.

What Happened?
On a night with much rain in the forecast, the “Boys in Purple” entered Saturday’s match in search for their first win at Slugger Field since the mid-July matchup with the Charleston Battery.

Louisville City began Saturday’s third and final go-around in the Dirty River Derby with a Cameron Lancaster rip from midfield to kickoff the match, coming up short but showing City’s want for a third win against foe FC Cincinnati.

Slipping and sliding across the field, both sides spent the first 22 minutes in a back-and-forth battle for possession before FC Cincinnati opened the score sheet.

A ball from Cincinnati’s Manu Ledesma lead midfielder Corben Bone into the penalty box, who eventually slipped one past Louisville City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh and into the back of the net.

After fifteen more minutes of play, the match was delayed due to lightning in the area. The match would be suspended until Tuesday, September 11, with the game clock set to 37:43 as play resumed.

With the remainder of the match kicked off, Louisville City pressed in an attempt to strike before the break but came up emptyhanded and headed into the half down a goal.

As the second half got underway, it became clear FC Cincinnati was attempting to keep a high possession time for the next 45 minutes.

A 58th-minute attack from City’s George Davis IV created enough space for the midfielder to get a shot off, one that would be deflected by Cincinnati ‘keeper Spencer Richey.

Richey’s deflection found City’s Devon “Speedy” Williams in the middle of the penalty box, but Williams’s follow-up flew just above the crossbar and out of play.

Another scoring opportunity would come for the “Boys in Purple” when Oscar Jimenez’s 66th minute run finished with a foul above the box once again. The ever-dangerous forward Cameron Lancaster stepped up and delivered a beautiful shot, though the bending free kick wound up just right of the far post.

A pressing attack from Louisville City would see the club finish with nearly 60% possession, but a plethora of second-half chances never broke the stingy play from the Cincinnati back line.

Up next for Louisville City is a road match as the club travels to Pittsburgh to take on the Riverhounds. Kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

The Key Points:

• Though several days passed between the original kickoff and resuming of play, the only change to either lineups was a bench change as Chris Hubbard replaced Jose Carranza.
• With Louisville City’s loss at Slugger, the club has now gone five games without a win at home.

Injury Report:
OUT – Brian Ownby
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen

FC Cincinnati 1 : 0 Louisville City FC
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Louisville Slugger Field | Louisville, KY
71 degrees / overcast
Attendance: 10,009

Scoring Summary:
FCC – Corben Bone (assist – Manu Ledesma) 23’

Disciplinary Summary:
FCC – Spencer Richey 90’+2
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo 90’+3

Starting XI (4-3-3): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Kyle Smith, Paco Craig, Alexis Souahy (Richard Ballard 81’), Oscar Jimenez; Devon “Speedy” Williams, Paolo DelPiccolo (c), Niall McCabe (Shaun Francis 65’), Ilija Ilic (Luke Spencer 71’), George Davis IV; Cameron Lancaster 

Bench: Tim Dobrowolski, Chris Hubbard, Sean Totsch, Pat McMahon