September 10, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
As Louisville City FC played away to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in marking its fifth game in 15 days, well, the boys in purple looked much like a group forced to play five times in 15 days.
To add, one of the USL Championship’s top-scoring sides was confined to Highmark Stadium – smaller than its normal Lynn Family Stadium pitch, and over turf as opposite to natural grass. It all amounted to a scoreless draw Saturday with host Riverhounds SC.
“I’m extremely proud of the group tonight,” said coach Danny Cruz. “This has been a difficult stretch. This is a tough place to go and play, and I’m sure you can tell watching the game we can’t play the football we want to play here. But I asked the group to fight and give all they could before the match, and I certainly felt that they did that.”
With the result, City (18-5-6, 60 points) increased its Eastern Conference lead over Memphis 901 FC. The boys in purple have already clinched a spot in the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs, and over the regular season’s final five games they’ll look to solidify an opening-round bye that comes with the No. 1 seed.
A return game against Pittsburgh (15-7-7, 52 points) – LouCity claimed a 2-0 lead back in April at Lynn Family Stadium – came on the heels of a midweek draw at FC Tulsa following a victory last weekend over Sacramento Republic FC.
Cruz elected for five changes as a combination of injuries and fatigue continue to impact LouCity’s lineup. Two early substitutions – defender Wes Charpie left in the 21st minute and Manny Perez at halftime – further complicated the manager’s task Saturday.
“It was a great feeling coming on the field,” said Josh Wynder, who replaced Charpie to mark his first appearance since July coming off an ankle injury. “The boys helped me out. Everyone fought, and we knew this was going to be a tough game. For us to get a shutout was a great experience.
“…I’m definitely very close to 100%. I’ll be ready if my number’s called again.”
Neither side generated what Stats Perform deemed a “Big Chance” over the first 90 minutes, and Pittsburgh didn’t land a shot on frame until the second half. Riverhounds SC nearly nabbed three points late, though, when Edward Kizza slipped in behind the defense deep into stoppage time. Goalkeeper Kyle Morton came out to make the save, sealing his 12th clean sheet of the year.
The game’s other scoring opportunity came in the 53rd…