
It’s hard to top the excitement of the latest installment of the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest (LIPAFC). Winning the Players Shield on a dramatic late goal against a rival is the making for a match to be remembered for years to come. However, if there was one matchup that would have the potential for even more excitement, it would be Louisville City vs Tampa Bay Rowdies. These two teams have seemingly only ever known drama and excitement. Look back to meetings in 2021, 2022, and even their last match together. It’s a match that is immediately circled on the calendar for fans of both teams. And this one produced another instant classic in one of America’s greatest soccer rivalries.
The first half of this encounter was somewhat quiet, but not without scoring opportunities. The high IQ tactical game being played was the highlight. Two quality opponents who were being careful and calculated with their actions. TBR leveraged a more traditional possession approach while LouCity leaned on patient defense and an offense ready to pounce at moment’s notice. Both teams found six shots in the first half, but the home side had four on target shots to Tampa’s zero. Level scoreline at halftime, but that would change in the second half.

Tampa Bay broke the deadlock with a great strike to the far corner of the net at 61’. The LouCity defense allowed just enough time for TBR to punish them with a shot from the edge of the box. Only a few minutes later, Louisville caught a break. Amadou Dia was sent to the ground by a challenge for the ball at the top of Tampa’s box, and the referee awarded a penalty. The visitors ensuing meltdown earned them yellow cards for two players and a red card for their coach. Another of the Rowdies coaches was also shown a yellow and escorted away to avoid further issue. It was easy work for Sean Totsch to bury the PK with the opposition so out of sorts. With the score level 1-1 and momentum fully in LouCity’s favor, they put their foot to the gas. Smelling blood, the attack ramped up but the Rowdies defense was holding firm. Despite the momentum swing, Tampa didn’t lose their desire to find the win. During the eight minutes of stoppage time, the Rowdies send a hard shot flying off the underside of the crossbar. An inch or so lower and the game could have been turned on its head. Louisville responded with a crossbar shot of their own. Jake Morris blasted a ball square into the bar, causing another stadium-wide gasp. 90+6’ was the magic moment. A corner kick for LouCity went into the box and after a bounce off the ground, Arturo Ordonez took a bicycle-like kick that made it past the keeper into the net. The stadium erupted and thankfully, the boys in purple held off the visitors for the remaining time to secure the dramatic win.
Thanks to Matthew Workman for capturing this angle of the goal!

“There’s not a question in my mind that when we went a goal down here that the group felt we were going to win the game,” said Coach Danny Cruz. “That’s a powerful thing to have going into the playoffs — believing that no matter what’s thrown at you that you that you can put yourself in position to win the game.” The undeniable nature of the squad was on full display once again. “The message Danny’s been telling us all year is resiliency and playing until the final whistle,” said Amadou Dia. “Even at practice, you hear, ‘Play to the whistle.’ That’s the culture they’ve instilled in us this year, and that’s what we keep doing.” Despite the match more and more looking like a draw as the time ticked away, Louisville city kept pushing. It’s paid off for them on multiple occasions this year. “There’s a level of confidence in this team that we know if we stick to our principles and our play,” Ordóñez said. “We know that no matter the circumstances we’re going to get through.”

Add this to the list of classics between these two sides. There may even be a case for it to be in the top five regular season matches for the club (who thankfully has many memorable moments to choose from). When it’s the Rowdies, it just means more. And to have it come on the heels of INDvLOU and on the night the team was to be awarded the Players Shield makes it that much better. Even outside of the exciting finish, it was a terrific match. Not every opponent on the schedule is able to help cultivate such a smart and tactical match. Until the wheels came off in the later part of the second half, you could see the game of chess being played. Often, Louisville could get by on talent but this one also required brains. And for a team with more trophies on their wish list, they will need to be able to flex both the brawn and brains. Tampa may not be as much “in the hunt” for top of the East as we have come to expect, but they are as skilled and dangerous as usual.

Following the match, Louisville City was able to bask in the moment as they lifted the club’s first Players Shield. It has been an elusive trophy for the otherwise successful club. In year ten, they can check it of the list. With that said, the messaging has been very clear from the team; The job is not done. They want to lift a trophy following the Eastern Conference Finals and then the USL Cup. Their eyes remain on the true prize.



Parting Thoughts
Want more reading on LouCity? Check out the following:
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