February 11, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
Louisville City FC takes on Sacramento Republic FC
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Zac Cahill/LouCity)
Louisville City FC continued a promising start to its year Sunday, defeating fellow USL Championship power Sacramento Republic FC by a 3-2 score in preseason play.
Newcomers Adrien Perez and Tola Showunmi scored their first goals in purple before Ray Serrano tacked on LouCity’s third. Sacramento’s chances were limited outside of a pair the Republic finished during the neutral site game in Tucson, Arizona.
This result capped a trip out west that previously saw City draw Major League Soccer’s Austin FC and defeat USL Championship rival El Paso Locomotive FC.
“I was really, really proud of the group,” said coach Danny Cruz. “It was an excellent way to finish our trip. We talked there at the end about making sure we continue to push forward and grow. I thought our pressing was excellent. We created a ton of chances today and would probably like a few more of those box – but all in all, an excellent performance.”
Perez, who signed with LouCity off a 10-goal season for San Diego Loyal SC, drained a 19th-minute free kick to open scoring Sunday. After a LouCity error at the back allowed Sacramento to equalize leading into the half, the young striker Showunmi put the boys in purple back in front on a 70th-minute goal from Serrano.
Serrano converted two minutes later to put the game out of reach, though Sacramento did pull one back in the 77th minute to cap a flurry of goals.
Cruz singled out Taylor Davila, another offseason signing, for “excellent” midfield play against Sacramento. Perez “continued to creative opportunities and cause issues for the opponent’s back line,” Cruz added. “Tola had a really good finish, and Ray on the day – both in the attack and defensively – was excellent.”
From here, LouCity’s squad will look ahead to Thursday’s trip to play St. Louis CITY SC from MLS. It’s just more than a month until the boys in purple open their regular season on March 16.
2024 Louisville City FC Preseason Schedule
Feb. 3 at Austin FC (D, 2-2)
Feb. 7 vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (W, 2-0)
Feb. 11 vs. Sacramento Republic FC (W, 3-2)
Feb. 15 at St. Louis CITY SC
Feb. 18 vs. Lexington SC
March 2 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
March 9 vs. One Knoxville SC
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