DING DING DING!!! This weekend, Louisville City visits Charleston Battery again for a Battle of the Eastern Titans, The Midwest vs. the South, the Big one in the East. Whatever you want to call it, it’s time for a big game away from home. The last outing saw a 4-4 draw at Charleston. This time, LouCity will look to get all three points as they try to close the gap between them and Charleston Battery. Let’s take a look at the keys to the game.
Battery:
The first big key to their game is to continue their run of great form. The Battery have three wins and three draws in their last six matches, games scoring fifteen goals and conceding seven. They will need to dominate this match if they want to get a win, as four of those seven concessions were to City on May 28th.
The second key is to continue to get Romario Williams free to attack the LCFC defense. This kid is good as he is on loan from Atlanta United. Listen to these stats for Charleston from this year and last year: 37 games with 24 goals, and 14 goals in 15 games this season alone! That’s a 65% conversion rate which is extremely impressive! [Editor’s Note: Williams will not be available for the Battery this weekend as he is out on international duty with Jamaica] Anyway before I start screaming bring him to LCFC because he is that good, I’ll get back to the keys.
The final key will be to continue to get everyone involved into the attack. Charleston’s top five goal scorers are a forward (Williams), a defender (Forrest Lasso), and three midfielders, so they know how to attack.
Louisville City:
City’s first key is to find a way to get a result away from home. All three points here are critical for our run to the final!
The second key will be to keep Romario Williams off the ball. [Editor’s Note: Thanks for the leg up, Jamaica!] We’ve done it before, but now it is more important as we try to close the gap.
The next big key is to grind out a result. This game has a chance to be a turnaround for the season (not that we’ve ever had a bad season) but none the less it has that chance. What do I mean by that? If City get three points and Charleston falters later in the season, it gives us a good chance of taking the regular season title and going into the tournament with confidence.
The last key will be to slow the game down and get out on quick transition offense. Charleston struggled with this when we did it and when FCC did it so they are vulnerable to a quick attack.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
I don’t think Charleston will give up easily. However, neither will LCFC. Both will go for the win and ultimately settle for a tie, unless a late winner happens. LouCity will press early, trying to get ahead while Charleston will attack the flanks and get the forward and midfielder free for shots. It should be an entertaining affair at MUSC Health Stadium. COME ON YOU BOYS IN PURPLE!
