LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC earned a second consecutive victory as it won 2-1 against the New York Red Bulls II in front of 10,017 fans at Slugger Field on Saturday night. The Red Bulls II almost took the lead in just the second minute as a long-range shot by Zeiko Lewis rang off the right post. Louisville’s first big chance came in the 16th minute as Brian Ownby’s cutback from the right side found Kyle Smith, but New York goalkeeper Evan Louro tipped his effort over the crossbar. The hosts took the lead six minutes before the break, however, as Paco Craig headed home Oscar Jimenez’s free kick for his second goal in as many games. The Red Bull II leveled the score just before the hour-mark as Stefano Bonomo picked out the bottom-left corner of the net off a layoff by Andrew Tinari at the top of the penalty area after a good save by Tim Dobrowolski had initially denied Florian Valot. The hosts regained the lead with 20 minutes to go as Luke Spencer found the net moments after coming on as a substitute with a good header from Paolo DelPiccolo’s corner kick. New York had a chance in stoppage time to equalize with a spectacular bicycle kick by Hassan Ndam, but the chance was denied as Louisville held firm for victory.

Scoring:
39’ – LOU – Paco Craig (Oscar Jimenez)
58’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (Andrew Tinari)
70’ – LOU – Luke Spencer (Paolo DelPiccolo)

• #LOUvNY: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Louisville continued to push its case for first place in the USL Eastern Conference as it completed a season-sweep of the Red Bulls II, allowing the side to keep pace with a Charlotte Independence side that had already taken victory earlier in the evening. On Saturday night it was City’s ability to convert from set pieces that paid off handsomely as two good deliveries were met by decisive headers by Paco Craig – a second consecutive game with a goal for the defender – and Luke Spencer to pick up a good three points in front of another energized crowd at Slugger Field.

• 2. Making the right substitution at the right time is always gratifying for a Head Coach, and on Saturday night for James O’Connor it was the introduction of Luke Spencer that proved the trump card in the win after New York had leveled with a good goal of its own. Spencer had threatened moments before as the ball was hustled behind for a corner kick, but his soaring header to meet Paolo DelPiccolo’s ensuing corner gave the big forward exactly the result O’Connor was hoping for when he’d sent him on moments before.  

• 3. New York once again took a step back after a step forward in its victory last weekend, but there were positive for the side to take as it looks to get back into the postseason to defend its title in the Eastern Conference. Stefano Bonomo’s first goal since his return from injury was well taken, and the ability of the side to compete strongly with a side once again in contention for the lead of the conference despite the absence of key midfielders Arun Basuljevic and Dan Metzger will be a silver lining for Head Coach John Wolyniec as the side returns home to face another tough test in the Rochester Rhinos.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Paco Craig, Louisville City FC – Craig had a strong performance at both ends of the field to help Louisville take an important three points in front of the second-biggest crowd of the season at Slugger Field.

Upcoming Games:
Louisville City FC at Charlotte Independence – August 5, 7 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews
New York Red Bulls II vs. Rochester Rhinos – August 5, 4 p.m. ET, MSU Soccer Park