A road win in Colorado continued the positive momentum from the previous win over the Roots. It would be needed, as Louisville City was heading to Florida to take on one of the USL’s best. The last time LouCity and the Tampa Bay Rowdies met, it was the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, and ended up being one of the most thrilling wins in club history. TBR has already clinched their spot in the postseason. A win for LOU would not only move them closer to achieving the same, but it would also give them a shot at overtaking the Rowdies on the table before the end of the regular season. However, it would be no easy feat.
Lineup
Match Highlights
46’ – Harris
By The Numbers
Full-Time Thoughts
Losses always sting but there is a little extra burn to a loss to a competitive rival. While Louisville’s play was not perfect, Coach Danny Cruz walked away with his head held high. “It was two good teams tonight,” said Coach Cruz. “There’s times I’ve walked away — I’ve come into this press conference and been fuming about lack of work rate or lack of mentality.” He did not believe that was the case in this match. “There’s a lot of positives we can take from the game, but it wasn’t the result we’re looking for.”
The opposition’s performance showcased why they hover near the top of the East and have already booked their trip to the playoffs. I think tonight, (Tampa Bay) just did a little more as far as those critical moments,” Sean Totsch stated. “Whether it was getting on the end of a cross, finishing a chance, or getting back and making a block.” This is the level of competition that the squad is going to have to get results against in about a month and they are running out of opportunity to get a good streak going, heading into fall ball.
With a handful still to go, playoff seeding is still very much a question. With that loss, LouCity is essentially shut out of securing anything above 4th. With MEM and IND hot on their trail, the boys in purple need to retain as many points as they can in this final stretch. Looking at the final few matches, Louisville City’s schedule appears slightly more favorable than that of MEM or IND. Matchups aside, LOU has the better points per game (Pts/G) average. At 1.54 Pts/G, it trumps that of MEM at 1.50 and IND at 1.46. Should the team continue at the pace they have been going this season, they should be able to hold on to 4th. But all it takes is one loss to throw their position in jeopardy, so here is to hoping that the players get into playoff mentality early and show the league why they are regulars in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Parting Thoughts
Want to do a little more reading on LouCity? I suggest the following:
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