WHO: Indy XI, 7-1-4, 22 points, 2nd place Group E
WHAT: The last “regular season” LIPAFC of 2020. Maybe. It’s a weird year.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium
WATCH/LISTEN: WMYO TV, ESPN+, 790 WKRD
WHO, AGAIN? It’s the last (probably!) regular-season installment of LIPAFC for 2020! Given the way these two teams started and re-started in 2020, it’s a little surprising that Louisville City has already clinched the season series and find themselves atop Group E. However, the reason for why City is in first place has a lot to do with their performances in this series, which, maybe last Saturday’s shellacking of St. Louis FC aside, have probably been the best they’ve looked all season.
The 1-1 draw back at the beginning of August at LFS was probably about where City’s season turned around after some poor games against St. Louis, Sporting KC II, and sudden juggernaut Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Since then, Morados have won five times and drawn just once, away at St. Louis.
Hackworth & Co. are coming off a really nice game last Saturday and thus are on very short rest. Indy, meanwhile, have had a whole week off since they beat* SKC II last Wednesday at home. They’re probably less than pleased with their recent form against Louisville City, and may even still be smarting from the 1-3 loss back on Labor Day weekend that knocked them off the top spot in the group for the first time all season. Chances are high that Martin Rennie and his staff are trying to find new ways to score goals that don’t require Tyler Pasher carrying his entire team.
*By the grace of a truly disgraceful disallowed SKC II goal
Indy is still very good. I’m certain they’ll put their very best XI on the field, and that they’re more than adequately motivated to win tonight. City will have its hands full from the opening whistle, as usual.
The result of this game matters a lot. A loss doesn’t imperil City’s playoff chances all that much, as Morados really can afford to win just one more of their last four games and still have a good shot at the post-season. I’d be fine with a draw, frankly, as it preserves the status quo, and forces Indy to really try hard to win its last three games, all of which are in the group and two of which are against St. Louis. However, this is Louisville City, so they’re not going to be happy with anything less than three points.
From Indy’s standpoint, they need points to make sure they finish in a playoff spot over St. Louis. Their remaining schedule features two matches against the Chupacapbras, and if things don’t go well in either, they might be in trouble. Also, while Indy’s had success against Pittsburgh this season so far, that’s not a team anyone really wants to face in the first round of the Playoffs, which is what a loss tonight might mean for them.
City have another game on Saturday against a rudderless Memphis, so fixture congestion and fitness are issues right now. The good news is Morados used all five subs against St. Louis on Saturday. I won’t be too surprised to see the same back line we saw in the last LIPAFC match, and I think we’ll be fine no matter who starts up front. The midfield is where my concern lies, as Corben Bone played a full 90′ Speedy and Paolo both played over 80′ in the last match. Those three have been crucial during City’s current run of form, so how they manage this week’s work load is really important.
Let’s just close the door on this whole thing and get a win. VAMOS MORADOS.
