With the final away match for the year in the rear-view mirror, Louisville City had one final regular season match before the push for a third star. It’s been over a year since LouCity squared off against the reigning USL Cup winner, Phoenix Rising. Despite coming off earning their club's first star, it’s not been a memorable title defense. They parted ways with their head coach mid-season and were closer to missing the playoffs than securing a home match. However, they still had their table position to fight for, while Louisville had nothing on the line other than keeping the momentum alive.
Normally, going down a goal within the first ten minutes would be cause for concern. But this LouCity squad is different. They have seen worse. “I was really proud of the response once we went down a goal,” Coach Danny Cruz stated after the match. “And I thought we were all over them in the first seven minutes before they hit us in transition.” Wilson Harris’ 18th and 19th goals at 24’ and 28’ relieved any fan tension. “When we’re at home, I feel really confident in the team that we’re going to get chances,” Harris said. “You see the game open up eventually. We’re very dangerous in transition here, and it takes time to open up. It showed today.” With just 34% possession, Louisville outshot the opposition 13 to 4 in the first half.
The second half was more of the same. Goals from Ray Serrano at 66’ and Goodrum at 90+2’ helped to see out the 4-1 win. When the dust settled, LOU was at 24 total shots (5 on target) to PHX’s 9 (3 on target). The expected goal (xG) values showed a similar home-favoring lean of 3.31 to 1.36. “At the end of the day, again, four goals at home,” Coach Cruz said. “We stuck to the game plan. We knew they wanted the ball, and that was fine with us because we felt it was going to leave them vulnerable going the other way. I thought it played out that way.”
The absence of Arturo Ordonez was the biggest personnel factor of the match and the team didn’t miss a beat. Wes Charpie has proven to be just as capable of helping his team secure a win. With how much talent is on the team, Wilson Harris’ 19-goal season has oddly felt like it has somewhat flown under the radar. With so many performances deserving attention, it’s cut into his time in the spotlight (for me, at least). This is a striker who has regularly waved the crest on his kit after scoring and has referred to himself as “the first defender”. What’s not to love about him!? Consider this an apology for not singing his praises louder and more often. And while Ray Serrano did get on the scoresheet, I find myself regularly frustrated with his play. From sequence to sequence, he can go from hot to cold. For me, knowing what his potential is may likely be the source of my frustration. But the kid is only 22, so perhaps I need to be more patient. Coach Cruz has orchestrated this gem of a season, so I’ll continue to trust the process. Also, it was nice to see Manny Perez get some time back on the pitch after his injury against Miami.
With the regular season over, the real battle begins. Louisville City has proven time and time again that they can win under different conditions. Winning the Players Shield is great, but it’s the team who hoists the USL Cup who is remembered. Their playoff journey will be in the comfort of Lynn Family Stadium and I hope they take full advantage of that privilege. This is the best LouCity team ever and there is a reasonable case for them being called the best USL team ever. However, lifting the cup will leave little room for argument and cement their placement in the history books. First up, North Carolina. VAMOS MORADOS!
Parting Thoughts
Want more reading on LouCity? Check out the following:
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