WHO:
Orlando City B, 7-6-11, 32 points, 8th place Eastern Conference
WHAT:
The second LouCity home USL match in four days!
WHEN:
Saturday, August 26, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
WATCH:
Live and in person is best, but if you can’t make it, WBNA-21 has the TV broadcast, 840 WHAS has the radio, and YouTube has the stream.
WHO, AGAIN?
Take it away, Taylor Hamblin:
Louisville City is coming off an impressive 5-0 win over Harrisburg City Islanders. LCFC have outscored opponents 16-5 in the last five games, winning four and losing one. City will look to continue its winning streak against Orlando City B.
Keys for Orlando B:
First, continue their road form. The Lion Cubs are pretty solid away at 5-4-4 compared to their home record which is 2-2-7.
The second key is going to be shutting down a red hot offensive lineup for LCFC. Certainly Kyle Smith being out helps a bit but Louisville put 5 away at home on Wednesday so OCB will need to rely on its defensive partnership of Zach Carroll and Conor Donovan. The centerback pair have played 13 games together and seem to understand each other. They will need to work with Earl Edwards Jr. who has been great for OCB in the net.
The third key is going to be running transition offense with Hadji Barry on the ball. Barry has been great in 13 games with 8 goals and an assist to his name. Look for him to have an impact if OCB are to get a result.
The final key is going to be figuring out how to dominate possession. The Lil’ Lions have only won the possession battle in three matches all season. They need to find away to control the tempo of the game and get LCFC frustrated with defending. If OCB does this I see no reason they cannot get a result at Slugger.
Keys for LouCity:
If City continues its goalscoring form, there isn’t anyone they can’t beat. But, of course there’s more to it than that.
The first key is to control the game. OCB have been fortunate enough to have Edwards Jr in the net keeping them alive, but it was 1-3 at Orlando last time and LCFC barely lost the possession battle. So if LCFC control the game they can get a similar result at home.
The second key is to get out and run the wings. LCFC has been doing this well. They will need to do this against a pretty solid central defense in OCB if they start Carroll and Donovan. If they get it out to the wings their left and right backs for OCB are not the most solid, and it will show in the game when Kaye, Davis, or whomever runs the floor with them.
The final key is going to be continuing the creativity in the attack. LCFC takes more risks up in the final third than they did last year and its fascinating to watch. In soccer there is risk and reward. James O’Connor loves to take risks in the attacking third while being conservative in the back, which is what attacking like the Real Madrids, and the Bayern Munichs do constantly.
Prediction: 3-1 LCFC
I see LCFC getting this one. It will not be the easiest game, but when is it ever easy in the USL? Orlando has the ability to get a goal or 2 here especially with Hadji Barry in the lineup. But LCFC has the better attacking squad, and I think it will show in this game! Make sure you’re there at Slugger Field!!! COME ON YOU BOYS IN PURPLE!!!
