FENTON, Mo. – Louisville City FC scored four unanswered second-half goals to earn a 4-1 victory against Saint Louis FC on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis to claim the Kings’ Cup for a third successive season. Louisville (9-3-5, 32pts) created a good early opening as a quick passing move came to Ilija Ilic at the top of the penalty area, but Saint Louis goalkeeper Adam Grinwis made a good save to deny. Brian Ownby also forced a save for the visitors after a driving run forward from midfield in the 17th minute. Saint Louis (5-8-4, 19pts) saw its first real chance come to Tyler David, who shot just wide midway through the half, but the hosts took the lead in first-half stoppage time as Daniel Jackson’s first goal for the club arrived just before the halftime whistle. Lousiville swung the game back in its direction with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes of the second half, however, after Saint Louis was reduced to 10 men when Christian Volesky was sent off. Oscar Jimenez notched the equalizer in the 52nd minute with a fine far-post finish after cutting into the right side of the penalty area, and then five minutes later Paco Craig gave the visitors the lead as Jimenez’s low cross was tucked home from close range. Louisville threatened to add to its lead as the half went on, and with eight minutes to go sealed the victory as Luke Spencer shot low into the left corner. Cameron Lancaster then added a fourth as an exclamation point, keeping the Kings’ Cup in Louisville for a third successive season.

Scoring: 
45+’ – STL – Daniel Jackson (Octavio Guzman)
52’ – LOU – Oscar Jimenez (Ilija Ilic)
57’ – LOU – Paco Craig (Oscar Jimenez)
82’ – LOU – Luke Spencer (Richard Ballard)
86’ – LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Richard Ballard)

• #STLvLOU: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Louisville City FC claimed the Kings’ Cup for a third consecutive season thanks to a 15-minute spell at the start of the second half that saw the visitors overturn a halftime deficit and take advantage of Saint Louis’ mistakes in clinical faction. Oscar Jimenez’s outstanding piece of control and finish to level the score was one of the best Louisville has connected on this season. He then followed up with a great low cross as Louisville managed to cycle possession well after a set piece to give the visitors a decisive advantage on the night, and get the side back on track after last week’s disappointing defeat.

• 2. Saint Louis had the halftime lead after another display of what Daniel Jackson can bring to the side with a good display of his speed and finishing that put the hosts ahead in first-half stoppage time. After being buoyed by last week’s victory against the Charleston Battery, though, the second half performance brought STLFC back to earth with a thud as the pursuit of a place in the playoffs took another big hit. The key to reaching the postseason for Saint Louis is going to be finding consistency in its final

• 3. Louisville’s victory provided not only a rousing win for its fans after the end of a 13-game home undefeated streak last Saturday, but also renewed the side’s push for a high finish in the USL Eastern Conference. With the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ victory against the Charleston Battery in the evening, the race for first place is now looking like a contest that could run a very long way toward the conclusion of the season. With Louisville in this mood, Head Coach James O’Connor’s side should be right there when it’s decided.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City FC – Jimenez scored an excellent finish, and then provided the assist for the game-winning goal as he put in another solid shift down the right side.

Upcoming Games:
Saint Louis FC at Richmond Kickers – July 29, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium
Louisville City FC vs. New York Red Bulls II – July 29, 7:30 p.m. ET, Slugger Field