After manhandling ATL Jr and advancing in the US Open Cup in a thrilling fashion against Detroit City, it’s off to LA for Louisville City for a spooky Friday the 13th match against the Galaxy 2. LouCity and Los Dos have never faced off before. It will be their only meeting (barring the playoffs). Will Morados fly out of Tinseltown with some points or will short rest get the better of them?
Despite being a MLS 2 team, they haven’t done too bad. They are flirting with the playoff line in the Western Conference with 11 points in nine matches. Away from home, they have struggled, but they will not have that to worry about in this matchup. John Morrissey (aka USL Tactics) has them pegged as a team with a “fluid back three”. Statistically, they have been mediocre by most measures. 14th for goals for (1.3) and 18th for goals against (1.6). They are middle-of-the-road when it comes to creating big chances (16th with 13) and find 4.2 shots on target per match (13th). They are accustomed to leading in possession (5th with 53.5%) and pass well with 7th for accurate passes per match at 377.
Individuals to watch out for include Michael Salazar, Cameron Dunbar, Taylor Davila, and Owen Lambe. Salazar not only brings a veteran presence to a young squad but has contributed two goals and two assists (both tied for first on his team) and the 2nd highest shots per 90 with 2.7. Dunbar leads Los Dos with an average player rating of 7.18 and big chances created (three). He has provided two assists and the 2nd highest shots on target per 90 with 0.9. Davila is tied for 2nd with an average player rating of 7.17 and has created the 2nd most chances on the team with 12. Lambe, who is tied with Davila with a player rating of 7.17, has the most successful tackles per 90 on the squad (1.7) and the 2nd most interceptions (2.3).
Louisville City has been given a 55% chance to win and a 25% chance to draw, according to FiveThirtyEight. However, these odds may not factor in the exhaustion impact of going to PKs on Wednesday and the absence of Manny Perez and possibly Amadou Dia. Academy product Owen Damm was recalled from loan to assist with the depth issues. LouCity endured somewhat similar conditions for their match at Charleston and came out with a point. Despite the adversity, Coach Danny Cruz will do all that he can to squeeze a result out of this squad that has yet to see defeat (13 unbeaten including Open Cup matches in 2022).
Parting Thoughts
Be sure to check out my assessment of LouCity's start to the season as well as my feature on Josh Wynder!
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