No time for wallowing in grief and misery. Our boys in Purple go on the road to take on another rival in St Louis FC. Let us not waste any time and dive right in to the keys to the game.
St. Louis FC:
St. Louis has had a lackluster season going 5-7-4 with only 19 points in 16 games. However, they are at home after stunning Charleston Battery 1-0. After falling 5-1 to Charlotte two weeks ago they bounced back with a convincing win over the top team in the USL. So what does that mean? It means they lack consistency which is my first key to the game. St. Louis has to find some consistency in its performances if it wants to make the playoffs for the first time in its history. They are only four points off the pace, however, their inability to perform on a game-to-game basis has cost them.
Their next key to the game is going to be to play high pressure defense. When they play this they often get results. When they sit back and let the opposition run and move it creates a lot of problems for their backline (See the game against Charlotte on July 8th versus the Charleston game on July 15th if you need visuals). We’ve already seen how Louisville City struggles with high pressure defense so St. Louis can capitalize on it and get a result.
Their final key to the game will be to continue their form in the Charleston game into this game against LCFC. If they do that, there is no reason they can not make LouCity’s nightmare continue.
Louisville City:
The scoreline from last week’s game says FCC were the better team at Slugger. City still has games in hand so it’s not all over just yet and the last second goal could help us on goal difference.
First key to the game is to step up our defensive effort. The 2 and 3rd goals were lack of defensive effort! No one went up to challenge the header by Delbridge, and no one followed Konig’s run after the initial save by Greg. That cannot happen against another rival!
The second key is learning to trap and pass the darn ball. To many time we lacked that great first touch into space or that great pass into space for a player to run onto. We cannot let this carry over into the St Louis game. One thing I will add is the James O Conner is good about getting his team back on track quickly after a loss.
The final key to the game is going to be finding that winning way again. We have stumbling blocks throughout the season, but we find a way to win. Maybe it’s the lack of a winger right now that’s pushed us into using forwards in midfield roles. Maybe Mark-Anthony Kaye is the answer for a late rally to the top (he has had good showings for Canada), or maybe it’s all the teams’ goal to win the league and the title.
Prediction: St. Louis 0-2 Louisville City
I am banking on LCFC to bounce back and give us a win here. However, we played to a draw at home so it maybe another boring affair. Hopefully you can stream it or watch it on local listings! It is always fun with the St. Louligans in St. Louis so be sure to be a part of it either in St. Louis or at home! COME ON CITY HERE WE GO!
