5 things to know about Louisville City FC ahead of its last 5 games
Louisville City FC kicks off the final five game stretch of its regular season Saturday against Loudoun United FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
It's been a good 2022 for LouCity already. The team qualified for the postseason for an eighth consecutive year and its 18-5-6 record currently leads the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
With so much energy surrounding the franchise heading into the playoffs, here's five things to know about LouCity before the postseason:
How has LouCity's 2022 season gone?
One could see that LouCity was in for an exciting 2022 by the way the team started the season. LouCity won its first three games of the year before drawing in back-to-back matches against Indy Eleven (1-1) and Birmingham Legion FC (0-0).
LouCity didn't lose until the third month of the season. A 4-3 loss to L.A. Galaxy II on May 13 snapped LouCity's 10-game unbeaten streak to start the year. LouCity was only the ninth team in the league history's history to go 10 games without a loss to start the year.
After dropping another loss to Monterey Bay FC, LouCity won six of its next seven games, highlighted by a 2-1 road win over Memphis 901 FC on July 16.
But they've hit a rut. In its last five games, LouCity has gone 1-2-1. The team could use some home cooking, as well, and will get that with four games at home to close the regular season. Out of the those five games only one was a home match, a 3-1 win over Sacramento Republic FC on Sept. 3.
LouCity drew in its last two meetings against FC Tulsa (2-2) and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-0) last weekend.
Who are LouCity's players to watch?
Wilson Harris has been a standout in his first season with LouCity. Harris signed with the team in February after previously spending the preseason with MLS squad Toronto FC. Even though Harris didn't have a ton of time with the team, he fit in quickly. In his first three games, he had two goals and an assist. Harris' 11 goals leads the team.
If Harris's specialty is finishing then Amadou Dia's claim to fame is assisting. After spending time between Sporting KC and their USL affiliate KC II last season, the French native has found a home in Louisville. Throughout 23 starts, Dia leads the team with seven assists. He also leads the squad in yellow cards (8).
Goalkeeper Kyle Morton was the first offseason addition for coach Danny Cruz, which proved a smart choice. The former Houston Dynamo has been a staple this season. His 12 clean sheets are tied for first in the league with Miami FC's Connor Sparrow and San Antonio FC's Jordan Farr.
Who is Louisville City FC's coach?
Danny Cruz's in his first season as the head coach of LouCity, but he knows his way around the franchise. Originally an assistant to former coach John Hackworth, Cruz was elevated to interim head coach last season. After leading the LouCity back to the playoffs, the interim tag was removed in October.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be the head coach at Louisville City FC," Cruz said in a statement in October. "I am fortunate that I am able to work with an incredible group of men in that locker room every day. They are the biggest reason this is possible, and I am grateful for that.”
Cruz's accession to the helm has been smooth. But can he get LouCity back to the USL Championship Finals?
Meet the coach: Louisville City FC removes interim tag, makes Danny Cruz head coach
Q&A with Danny Cruz: LouCity FC head coach talks the season, roster depth and beating IndyEleven
Who does LouCity play to finish the season?
LouCity is 10-1-2 at home this season and that bodes extremely well for them heading into its final five games. Four of LouCity's last five games are at home. After LouCity welcomes Loudoun United FC to town on Saturday it'll turn to a showdown with the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference, Memphis 901, on Sept. 23. LouCity beat Memphis on the road 2-1 on July 16 off two Brian Ownby goals in the final 20 minutes.
LouCity plays its last away game at Rio Grande Valley FC on Oct. 1 before finishing the year with a two-game homestand against Detroit City FC (Oct. 5) and Hartford Athletic FC (Oct. 15). LouCity is 4-0 on the year against Loudoun United, Memphis 901, Detroit City and Hartford Athletic this season.
Can LouCity win the USL Championship Final?
Simply making the playoffs and winning the title are two very different things. LouCity is well aware of how painful the distinction is.
After winning back-to-back USL Cup finals in 2017-2018, LouCity's bid for a three-peat was ruined the following year against Real Monarchs SLC. LouCity entered the playoffs as high seeds in 2020 and 2021 but was bounced in the conference finals by the Tampa Bay Rowdies in back-to-back seasons.
Coming into the playoffs with championship aspirations is nothing new for LouCity. Memphis 901 and Tampa Bay could be LouCity's stiffest competition in the Eastern Conference. The Rowdies defeated LouCity 1-0 on July 5 before LouCity returned the favor Aug. 13. A potential rematch in the playoffs should be expected and anticipated.
As for the Western Conference, San Antonio FC (20-5-3) has been the best team this season and is likely to come out of the west.
At the conclusion of the regular season on Oct. 15, the top seven teams in each conference will qualify for the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs. The first overall seed in each conference will receive a bye to the conference semifinals. The bracket will be reseeded following the conference quarterfinals to ensure the first overall seed in each conference plays against the lowest-seeded remaining opponent.
Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 5 things to know about Louisville City FC ahead of its last 5 games
