March 4, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
Louisville City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC)
Louisville City FC’s officially on to its 2023 campaign after on playing Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to a scoreless draw Saturday at Highmark Stadium in Pennsylvania.
It marked the third straight year LouCity and Pittsburgh – frequent playoff opponents, including in last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinal won by City – have tuned up for the regular season against one another.
The boys in purple open their USL Championship regular season next Saturday at Orange County SC, with kickoff at 10 p.m. ET.
“I’m really happy with the performance overall from the group,” said LouCity coach Danny Cruz. “This is a tough place to play, but we try to put the players in positions that are challenging for them here in preseason. I thought the group handled it really well. We created some good opportunities in the first half, and our defensive block was excellent.”
LouCity arguably had the better of the chances Saturday, though neither side managed to score.
Of note, Brian Ownby got to the end line before delivering a 20th-minute cross to Oscar Jimenez, who forced a save from the top of the box. Four minutes later, Ownby chipped the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation but saw the try sail over the bar.
Pittsburgh had a similar break in the 58th minute when Kenardo Forbes got in behind the LouCity defense for the Riverhounds’ best chance of the day. Forbes’ shot on City goalkeeper Kyle Morton flew wide.
Both sides fielded starting lineups fit for a regular season game. LouCity – which returns a league-record 22 players from last year’s Eastern Conference Championship squad – had two newcomers among its 11 with defender Jordan Scarlett at center back and Dylan Mares slotted in the attacking midfield. Morton made his first start of the year, still on the return from a back injury that ended his 2022 season early.
“We built the preseason the way we did for a reason,” Cruz said. “I certainly believe we got the things out of it we were looking to get out of it. We played some really difficult opponents, saw some positive performances and growth from the group.”
Following its opener at Orange County, LouCity’s team will stay out west to play at Monterey Bay FC on March 18. The boys in purple host El Paso Locomotive at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, in their home opener.
2023 LouCity…