LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It proved a harder task than a season ago, but No. 2-seed Louisville City FC continued the defense of its USL Cup as a crowd of 6,881 fans at Slugger Field saw Brian Ownby’s two-goal outing lead the hosts to a 2-0 victory against No. 6-seed Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday night in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs.
With former standout Matt Fondy on hand to take in the game, Ownby’s first two goals of the 2018 campaign sent the vocal crowd into celebration as Louisville gained a place in the Eastern Conference Final for a fourth successive season. For his teammates, the brace was indicative of the sort of player Ownby is at his best.
“It’s great for us, but it’s no surprise,” said Louisville captain Paolo DelPiccolo. “I can’t believe it took this long because you can see what a weapon he is. Not just with his pace, which is obviously so quick, but his skills are incredible. For him to get two goals, it’s awesome but also expected, almost.”
In defeating Bethlehem for a second consecutive year in the playoffs, Louisville has now won eight consecutive games dating back to its September 19 win against Penn FC in the regular season.
Here are some of the sights and sounds from another memorable playoff night at Slugger Field.
Louisville City FC advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for a fourth consecutive season as a pair of goals by Brian Ownby led the defending USL Cup champion to a 2-0 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC before a crowd of 6,881 fans at Slugger Field.
Representing @loucityfc in the middle of the Caribbean. Come on City! @SarahNichter pic.twitter.com/uZWYbSnWzP
— Drew Nichter (@drw5) October 27, 2018
Just about an hour until kickoff! Let's go #LouCity! #USLPlayoffs #USL pic.twitter.com/WPk2ZWQ9o3
— AHittWAVE3 (@AHittWAVE3) October 27, 2018
Hangin with a @loucityfc legemd pic.twitter.com/AMptsfAFLl
— Civility don't cost nuthin'(@JoeyJoisey) October 27, 2018
@loucityfc strikes first. @BrianOwnby90 tucks a dandy inside the far post. pic.twitter.com/OiRfHc1uaA
— David Guildford (@guildford56) October 28, 2018
Watching @loucityfc push for the Eastern Conference Finals pic.twitter.com/SlLN8zZHbA
— Russ @ Open Xchange (@OXRuss) October 28, 2018
LOUISVILLE CITY TO THE EAST FINALS LETS GO @loucityfc @BlackSheepLCFC pic.twitter.com/XKBiEF3WwV
— Shu (@sdotsom7) October 28, 2018
We pumped!!! #LOUvBST #LouCity pic.twitter.com/40SleIbowr
— John Harper (@handsomejohnh) October 27, 2018
"Have we told you the gospel of @loucityfc? Come children, harken to our joyous noise."#LOUvBST #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/N3vE4b1pAq
— The Coopers (@LouCoopers) October 28, 2018
Here we go... @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/vbc3CPyanC
— Howie Lindsey (@howielindsey) October 28, 2018
From #KickOrTreat in Bowling Green this morning, to #USLPlayoffs in Louisville... one hell of a soccer day! Back to BG in the morning. @loucityfc pic.twitter.com/YKkFDUTo0D
— Dylan Wilbur (@Dwilbur003) October 28, 2018
@lorenlong I know you were intent on seeing @USL Conf Championship game, so please come to Louisville on Friday - Jeanie and I would love to host you and Tracy! Go @loucityfc ! pic.twitter.com/ftk1Wx6TaH
— John Kallis (@Kali1128) October 28, 2018
Just turned on the TV to watch last night's replay and I'm on TV momma!#USLPlayoffs #LOUvBST #LouCity #VamosMorados pic.twitter.com/nVctV8fjMh
— Martín [El Cucuy SZN] Morado (@Vehement_Cruz) October 28, 2018
LOUISVILLE CITY is still the best! Good luck tonight to the boys in their eastern conference semifinals match! @loucityfc
— Mark-Anthony Kaye (@MarkThEwizz) October 27, 2018
Families who Ultra together stay together #LouCity pic.twitter.com/bxxeMvWaxe
— Spooky Ryan Massey (@allvowels) October 28, 2018
He’s a delight! @loucityfc @LouCoopers @vincentdonofrio @GeorgeTakei @BradTakei pic.twitter.com/YXZBmCdhfi
— Louisville Heretics (@LouHeretics) October 28, 2018
Come on @loucityfc! It’s time to float like a butterfly and sing like a bee! One half away from advancing to the next round in the playoff. #louvbst pic.twitter.com/vryJ5ORL7P
— Adam Sayre (@adam_sayre) October 28, 2018
What a team and what a City!! Slugger was electric tonight. We will be getting the watch party together for the Eastern Conference Finals up here in PA! #LouCity #USLPlayoffs
— Jeff (@jhobie24) October 28, 2018
It is final! @loucityfc defeats @BSteelFC 2-0 to move onto the Eastern #USLPlayoffs Final against @NYRBII! All thanks to a brace from @BrianOwnby90. #LOUvBST #CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/cBM0OuuIoF
— Mathew Ballard (@mathewballard) October 28, 2018
So proud of these @loucityfc men! Took care of business against a very talented side. Normally don’t call out specific players, but so happy for @BrianOwnby90 - he’s worked his tail off this year and those goals were sweet! Can’t wait for Friday night!!!
— Brad Estes (@brad_estes) October 28, 2018
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