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Louisville Gets Everything but the Goal in Hackworth’s Debut

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/19/18, 9:24AM EDT

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New Head Coach delighted by reception despite scoreless draw in front of 9,684 fans

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In terms of the opening night of John Hackworth’s tenure as Head Coach of Louisville City FC, the club’s clash against regional rival Nashville SC in front of a crowd of 9,684 fans at Slugger Field had almost everything the former Philadelphia Union and U.S. U17 National Team Head Coach could have asked for.

The only thing that was missing? The goal that would have given the hosts all three points as the sides finished in a 0-0 draw that kept Louisville in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 12 games to go in the regular season.

That’s not to say the hosts didn’t have chances to find the net. Louisville held a 19-8 advantage in shots over its visitors as it looked to claim a third victory in their four meetings this season, but through a combination of rusty finishing and a stellar goalkeeping display by Nashville’s Matt Pickens – who finished with a five-save shutout – Louisville’s streak of seven consecutive games finding the net came to an end.

“I think Luke [Spencer] is probably going to look back at two headers he missed and wanting those back, and nine times out of 10 he’ll finish that,” said Hackworth. “George [Davis IV] had one in the first half. We had some chances, but we had to get on the board, had to put the ball in the back of the net, and needed to make that play. Unfortunately, we didn’t.”


Louisville's Speedy Williams came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half, but the hosts finished scoreless against Nashville SC at Slugger Field. | Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

Returning to the starting lineup after his return from injury last Friday night, Luke Spencer had a chance to make a big impact in the closing stages of the first half as a free kick from the right by Niall McCabe hang nicely, but the rust of time away may have showed as the powerful forward was only able to glance his header wide of the left post.

Both Speedy Williams and Cameron Lancaster got full purchase on their chances early in the second half, though, and it took a pair of fine saves by Pickens to deny the hosts the opening goal within five minutes of the restart. As the game wore on, though, Nashville threatened to grab victory as forwards Brandon Allen and Tucker Hume almost made it an even tougher night with a near-miss by Allen and a good shot by Hume that forced one of Louisville goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh’s two saves on the night.

“I thought we were a little fatigued there at the end and made some really silly decisions both on the ball and away, we missed a couple opportunities at the end,” said Hackworth. “That’s something that we have to correct. At the same time, we have to focus on the positives and correct a couple small things and get better.”

Away from the field, though, the reception the side and Hackworth himself received as the club extended its undefeated streak to five games was one that the new sideline boss was delighted by. With a busy two weeks coming up for the side, Hackworth is hoping the side will return home from its two-game road trip ready to produce more magic as the club moves toward the postseason defense of its title.

“The fans were awesome,” said Hackworth. “The welcoming they’ve given me all week long, but when I walked out on the field it was really overwhelming, to be fair. And that’s fantastic. I would’ve loved nothing more than to reward those fans with three points tonight, and they’re great walking in the hall. This is a great city, and I’m proud to be a new member of it. I’m looking forward to games where we can get you three points and they can cheer a little louder.”

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