LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC moved into first place in the USL Eastern Conference with a 5-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders in front of 6,763 fans at Slugger Field in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 at Slugger Field. Harrisburg had the first chance of the game as Ropapa Mensah headed over in the ninth minute, but two minutes later Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye opened the scoring for Louisville with a good low shot to the left corner after cutting in from the right flank. Ilija Ilic added a second for the hosts in the 13th minute as Louisville held a free kick in the penalty area, allowing Ilic to fire into the left corner of the net. Kaye went close to a second on a counterattack soon after, but Harrisburg goalkeeper Brandon Miller tipped his shot over the crossbar. Louisville added a third in the 27th minute, however, as Paolo DelPiccolo scored from close range after a short corner routine was then delivered to the top of the six-yard area. Louisville found the net again in the 67th minute a Ilic’s slipped pass allowed Niall McCabe to drive home a first-time finish into the left side of the net, and while Cameron Lancaster almost added another with six minutes to go from a free kick that just flashed wide, the hosts wrapped up the scoring in second-half stoppage time as Sean Totsch headed home Niall McCabe’s cross for his first goal for the club.

Scoring:
11’ – LOU – Mark-Anthony Kaye (George Davis IV)
13’ – LOU – Ilija Ilic (Tarek Morad)
27’ – LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo
67’ – LOU – Niall McCabe (Ilija Ilic)
90+’ – LOU – Sean Totsch (Niall McCabe)

• #LOUvHAR: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Louisville moved into the top position in the Eastern Conference with a comprehensive display that has mirrored the club’s recent performances, over which time it has taken five wins in the past six games. Louisville’s squad depth was particularly evident as once again James O’Connor rotated his lineup, but even with forward Luke Spencer on the bench after scoring four goals in the past three games, the team’s attack rarely missed a beat as it recorded its fourth game with three-plus goals in its last six outings.

• 2. One of the main talking points in Louisville’s camp over the past few weeks has been how the Gold Cup experience has paid major dividends for 22-year-old midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye. With an excellent goal to open the scoring, and another good all-around performance, the young Canadian’s confidence was evident throughout his one-hour performance. With another call-up to the national team coming after Saturday’s game with Orlando City B, Canada Men’s National Team Coach Octavio Zambrano will likely be pleased with what he sees when he checks the game tape.

• 3. Harrisburg might have reached the tipping point when it comes to playoff hopes on Wednesday night, as the side’s defeat left it eight points out of the top eight with seven games remaining in its regular season. The City Islanders struggles in front of goal since a run of four wins in five games have been evident, and resulted in the side slipping gradually out of the playoff hunt. If past seasons are anything to go by, it’s going to take something remarkable for this side to make its first trip back to the postseason since 2014.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Paolo DelPiccolo, Louisville City FC – DelPiccolo found the net for Louisville’s second goal of the night, and marked his return to the starting lineup with a composed display as he won possession and linked play well throughout.

Upcoming Games:
Louisville City FC vs. Orlando City B – August 26, 7:30 p.m. ET, Slugger Field
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies – Sept. 6, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field