News

By Caitlin Ladd

By playing twice last week, Louisville City FC crossed the midway point of the 2016 season, and did so while leading the United Soccer League standings. Still, coach James O’Connor lamented the fact that LouCity “should’ve won” the latter of those matches, a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati.

Overall, however, “Halfway through the season, we can be pleased with our performances,” O’Connor said at a press conference Monday. “…We just need to capitalize on the opportunities that we create.”

Even with nine days between games, preparation has started for a July 4 matchup with FC Montreal at Louisville Slugger Field. Along the way, O’Connor will reflect a bit.

“I think it’s important. I think when you reach the halfway point you need to assess quite a lot of things,” he said. “We’ve gone through a few things this morning once we started our recovery.

“We’ll go again tomorrow, and we start looking toward Montreal and make sure we’re prepared for what ought to be a tough game against them.”

Here’s more from O’Connor’s meeting with the media:

• Looking back on Saturday’s record-breaking crowd, the coach said, “The guys really appreciate everyone that was there, and I think it meant a lot to them to have that kind of support.” He said the next challenge is to draw that type of crowd for every home game, as the 10,062 on hand for the FC Cincinnati match “really energized the players and gave them a lift to have that type of support.”
• The Independence Day game will mark the last for LouCity’s Scott Goodwin. O’Connor called the goalkeeper “an incredible individual,” adding that Goodwin’s acceptance into Harvard Medical School “speaks volumes about Scott as a character and as a person…Like I’ve said to Scott, from a selfish point of view, we’re disappointed to lose such a good character. But, equally, you have to support somebody when they get an opportunity like that.”
• Goodwin’s departure provided O’Connor the chance to pick up two-time Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Tim Dobrowolski, who should start backing up Greg Ranjitsingh after the FC Montreal game. The coach won’t look to that point yet. “I think,” he said, “it’s important we stay focused on the next game — massive game for us now at home against Montreal — and so we need to really hone in on that game and analyze their play and see what we can do to make sure we’re fully prepared for that game.”

Think you’ll look great in purple? We do.

Louisville City FC merchandise will be discounted up to 15 percent off this week — only at the club’s Team Store — leading up to a July 4 home game against FC Montreal.

Most items in the Team Store at 127 S. 6th Street, even replica jerseys, are included in LouCity’s “Red, White and Blue Sale.” A sticker’s color indicates the discount amount: white (5 percent), red (10 percent) and blue (15 percent).

Regular hours for Team Store, which opened earlier this month, are 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. This week only, it closes at noon Friday, but gear will also be available for regular prices at the FC Montreal match at Louisville Slugger Field.

The club’s merchandise truck parks at the pregame el Jimador Tequila Pitch Party, the official tailgate in the lot at the corner of East Witherspoon and North Preston streets. Additionally, find a stand inside the concourse at Slugger Field.

In front of a franchise record 10,062 fans Saturday, LouCity upped its unbeaten streak in United Soccer League matches to 14 by playing FC Cincinnati to a scoreless draw. The first-place club is back in action against Montreal after nine days between games.

By Caitlin Ladd

“Coach gives me all the confidence in the world,” Louisville City FC’s Kadeem Dacres said Saturday night, minutes after a dazzling return to the starting lineup left the midfielder all smiles.

Voted Man of the Match, Dacres locked down the right side during a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati to the point where coach James O’Connor said Dacres “gave their left back a real problem.”

Minutes have been sparse this season for LouCity’s third-leading scorer in 2015, a player capable of creating for himself and others. Both traits were on display Saturday in front of a record 10,062 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.

Dacres fired a game-high three shots, and he led a number of other services into the box. LouCity had its chances but didn’t find the back of the net, marking the first 0-0 result in a game at Slugger.

But Dacres’ performance left hope there are goals ahead for the New York native and former Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick.

“I thought he was very direct in his play,” O’Connor said. “His pace was a problem for them, and I thought they really struggled to be with him. He was really able to give us an outlet in and attacking sense and, equally, he did his job defensively tonight, which is important.”

Again, Dacres credited his coach, saying, “When things are going good for me, he always pushes me to trust in my abilities and just do what you’re capable of doing.”

The 24-year-old brought energy to LouCity’s attack in the first half, when the club saw most of its top scoring tries. Dacres believes “hard work throughout the week” earned him a spot in the lineup, and was “really thankful” for the opportunity.

Last season, Dacres tallied six goals and a pair of assists as a regular in O’Connor’s Starting XI. He has seen time in 11 matches in 2016 but before Saturday last made a start in a May 14 win over Saint Louis FC.

In front of LouCity’s largest home crowd ever, Dacres took advantage of his latest chance.

“Tonight was phenomenal,” he said. “They definitely give us that energy to keep going. and we’re really thankful for that.”

A Louisville City FC-best 10,062 fans packed into Slugger Field on Saturday for the second edition of the River Cities Cup, with 95-degree temperatures not a deterrent for the record crowd. LouCity eclipsed its previous high of 9,434 recorded at last year’s friendly against Orlando City SC as the club played FC Cincinnati to a scoreless draw.

Check out fan photos from the evening below, and join us next time at Slugger. Tickets are available for a July 4 showdown with FC Montreal, with fireworks after the game.