It’s home game number three of the season! If you haven’t gone to a game yet, you’re missing out on the best environment in the USL. Let us dive right in, as your Louisville City prepares to take on Toronto FC II.
Toronto FC II:
TFC2 currently sits 13th with five points (1-2-2). They have not beaten an Eastern Conference team, having only won against Phoenix in the West. They have tied Rochester and Ottawa, who are just above and below them in the standings. They were routed by Tampa Bay Rowdies 4-0 and Orlando City B 3-1. So what they can do to get a result on Saturday?
First is to answer the question “Can we win or get a result on the road?” So far this season and even last season, Toronto has struggled away from home. Good teams find a way to get a result in every game. Toronto wants to show they mean business they need to get a win at Slugger Field.
The second key is to play a passing game and make Lou City chase the ball. They did this for a while against Ottawa but could not keep it consistent. They will need to get this going early and often if they want to wear down a better team like LCFC.
The final key will be to continue the defensive efforts they have displayed the last two games. If they don’t, Louisville will run away with the score potentially. I’d prefer one 4 or 5-0 game, myself.
Louisville City:
First and foremost, we need to find more scoring options. I love that we have several players that can score. However, our forwards don’t nearly score as often as Fondy and Hoffman did. We know there are different types of strikers on this year’s team. Lancaster and Co. aren’t run and gun forwards and I like that they can control the play up front and wait for numbers. I’d just like them to score some more goals.
The first key is to attack the flanks. When Tampa and Orlando whooped Toronto they attacked the flanks. We need to use the pace of wings and get some scoring opportunities.
The second key is to continue our run of great defensive form, although we need to do it for 90 minutes!
The third key I see for LCFC is to get out and attack in transition. Last year we did this well and it won us games. We have slowed down a bit on transition so far this season.
The final key I see is to continue to grind out results. We need to show the USL that we are poised to make it all the way.
Prediction: Louisville City 3-0 Toronto
I predicted the right score last week! I see LCFC coming away with a win here. However, I am hoping for a convincing win and a shutout from the defense. We have failed to shut out 3 out of 5 teams we’ve played so far this year. We have however continued to get great results away from home. Regardless, Toronto comes to Slugger on the struggle bus and we need to keep them on it. Get a convincing win and it helps our overall standing as Charleston Battery have a great attack so far this year.
COME OUT TO SLUGGER AND CHEER ON YOUR LCFC!!! COME ON CITY HERE WE GO!
