5 things to know as Louisville City FC begins USL Championship Playoffs

Since its inception, all Louisville City FC knows is competing for an Eastern Conference title.

Getting to and winning the USL Championship Final is another story — the latter hasn't happened since 2018 — but the boys in purple have been one of the final four clubs standing at the end of each of the past seven years. Coach Danny Cruz and company hope to make it eight in a row when they kick off postseason play against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium.

After clinching the Eastern Conference's top seed with a club-record 72 points (22-6-6) during the regular season, LouCity earned a first-round bye and the right to host at least two playoff matches should it take care of business this weekend. The boys in purple went 13-2-2 with a +24 goal differential at home during the regular season and could bring the USL Championship Final to the 502 if they keep winning — and if a team other than San Antonio FC claims the Western Conference title.

Racing Louisville FC:Racing Louisville players make statement after abuse allegations against Christy Holly

The atmosphere at Lynn Family Stadium has changed, however, in the wake of sexual and verbal abuse allegations against former Racing Louisville FC coach Christy Holly surfacing as part of an investigation into the National Women's Soccer League. LouCity and Racing supporters groups have made their demands for accountability from the clubs' ownership group, Soccer Holdings LLC, loud and clear with a silent protest and banners unveiled during matches, but no one from the front office has been fired or stepped down after its handling of the accusations against Holly were brought to light.

Racing Louisville FC:NWSL club to add general manager after report, assault allegations

"We’ve seen the statements that the players have put out, that the club’s put out. We fully support the ability to do anything we can that’s going to improve the club and make this a safer and better place to work," Cruz said when asked Thursday how the in-game protests have impacted his team.

"I think, at the end of the day, our players come out every day, and they’re trying to perform at their best. Their focus is certainly on the playoffs, and at the end of the day we’re going to continue to do what we can this weekend and make sure we progress, because these guys have put in a lot of work from Day 1 to where they are now. I respect anybody’s right to do what they want to do in the stadium, but at the end of the day, the focus for us is on Pittsburgh."

Here are five things to know about the matchup:

How to watch Louisville City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in USL Championship Playoffs

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

Location: Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville)

TV: WBKI

Online livestream: ESPN+

Terrestrial radio broadcast: 680 WHBE-AM; 105.7 WHBE-FM

Louisville City's Gold Glove winner, Kyle Morton, among those questionable to play

Two days before kickoff, Cruz said he didn't know if the USL's top goalie, Kyle Morton, would be taking the pitch against Pittsburgh due to an undisclosed injury.

Morton, who played for the Houston Dynamo in the MLS before joining Louisville, earned the league's coveted Gold Glove award after holding opponents to 0.74 goals per game and posting 13 shutouts in 28 regular-season appearances. The West Chester, Pennsylvania, native never conceded more than two goals during games he was defending the net, keeping his team within striking distance more often than not until the final whistle.

"We're hopeful for Kyle to be able to play in a playoff game," Cruz said, "because he's earned that with his performances this year."

If Morton is unable to go, Cruz will turn to either Daniel Faundez or Parker Siegfried in goal. Faundez started five matches to Siegfried's one during the regular season and surrendered an average of 0.68 goals per 90 minutes.

That's just the beginning of LouCity's injury uncertainty.

Cruz said forward Cameron Lancaster is questionable to play against Pittsburgh after an injury-plagued regular season. The club’s all-time leading goal scorer, Lancaster missed all but six regular-season matches after tearing a hamstring during the preseason and sustaining a groin injury over the summer.

Longtime winger Brian Ownby is also questionable, according to Cruz, as he continues to recover from a leg injury. Midfielders Niall McCabe and Jorge Gonzalez, meanwhile, have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to foot and knee injuries, respectively.

"The one thing I know about this group is, when someone's number is called, they've stepped up this year," Cruz said. "That's why we finished where we did. I have full faith in everybody in that locker room and full faith in the team that I put out on Saturday is going to give us the best chance to win the game."

How did Louisville City FC fare vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC during the regular season?

LouCity defeated Pittsburgh 2-0 on April 30 at Lynn Family Stadium, and the teams played to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 10 at the Riverhounds' Highmark Stadium.

Cruz called Pittsburgh a "really, really difficult team to prepare for" because of head coach Bob Lilley's propensity for throwing different formations at opponents over the course of a match.

"We'll make sure that, as the game starts, we're getting a good read on what their shape looks like," Cruz said, "and then from there, it's about executing."

Defender Amadou Dia said his first playoff game as a member of LouCity is shaping up to be "a chess match" between Cruz and Lilley. It helps, Dia said, that he and his teammates have gotten better at switching formations on the fly during their regular-season stretch run — and that the game is being held in Louisville.

"The fans have made it extremely difficult for teams to come in here and play their style," Dia said. "We're very grateful for them, and we can't wait to see them show out on Saturday with us."

Player to watch: Sean Totsch

If Morton is unable to play Saturday, LouCity's defenders will need to keep the pressure off his replacement by limiting shots on target. That task will fall to a group anchored by Sean Totsch, the club's all-time leader in minutes played heading into the final stretch of his sixth season in Louisville.

During the regular season, Totsch won 25 tackles with a 62.5% success rate and accounted for 51 clearances, 11 blocks and 34 interceptions. The Oswego, Illinois, native also netted a career-high nine goals and went a perfect 5 for 5 on penalty kicks, establishing himself in Lancaster's absence as LouCity's go-to guy in those high-pressure scenarios.

Look for Totsch and Dia asserting themselves early to derail Pittsburgh's offensive momentum and to generate counter-attacks. In his first year with Louisville, Dia leads the club with eight assists.

What's next for the winner of Louisville City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC?

The winner of Saturday's match in Louisville will play the winner of No. 2 Memphis 901 FC and the No. 3 Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Eastern Conference championship on Saturday, Nov. 5. LouCity went a combined 2-2 against its potential opponents during the regular season.

The USL Championship Final will be held Sunday, Nov. 13.

Reach recruiting and trending sports reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville City FC: 5 things to know about USL Championship Playoffs