June 19, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Louisville City FC News Release
Louisville City FC midfielder Jansen Wilson
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Ed Thompson)
Louisville City FC rookie Jansen Wilson struck a second half goal from distance Wednesday and, as tends to be the case when the boys in purple travel to play Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, that was enough to win it.
A 1-0 LouCity victory followed scoreless draws between these sides in both 2022 and 2023 over the compact turf at Highmark Stadium. It took a bit of brilliance for Wilson to break through, too, as he took just one touch near the top of the box to strike the 49th-minute winner.
LouCity improved to 11-2-2 on the season while bouncing back from a rare weekend defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. City’s 35 points rank best in the USL Championship and are six ahead of second place in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re really, really proud of the execution of the game plan,” said coach Danny Cruz. “It’s not pretty when we come here. We have to change a little bit about how we play. I was proud of the resolve from the group. I was proud of the mentality.
“…I thought we created chances in a tough environment on a tough field.”
LouCity knocked at the door throughout the first half, generating at least three quality chances. Wilson Harris wound up a shot on target in the eighth minute, Jorge Gonzalez put a header on frame in the 43rd, and Gonzalez curled another attempt in just before the half.
The end product, however, lacked, with those shots taken directly at Pittsburgh’s goalkeeper. But there was little Jason Randolph could do on the other side of the break when Wilson got his opportunity. Elijah Wynder popped a pass out to the wingback, who fired to the keeper’s left to score.
It marked the third goal of the season for the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, native Wilson.
“It was a good buildout from the team,” Wilson said of the goal. “We were able to switch it and get out on the right side. It was good combination play from Jorge and Elijah as well. Luckily, the ball bounced out to me.
“…It’s always a privilege to put on this jersey, and I can say for every person on this team, they have the same feeling.”
LouCity completed a season sweep of the Riverhounds, who they also defeated by a 3-1 score back on March 23 at Lynn Family Stadium. These losses – and a series of others – have left Pittsburgh an uncharacteristic 10th of 12 on the Eastern Conference table.
Wednesday’s hosts struggled to…