LCFC Busts Out and Thumps OKC 6-2, Orlando vs. Louisville Friendly Announced

If you missed the news regarding the split between Louisville and Orlando City, we've got you covered. As for this column, it will continue on for the rest of this season, per usual, bringing you Louisville City news on and off the field. With that, let's check up on what happened between the lines this week in the world of Louisville City.

Louisville City 6 – 2 OKC Energy

It's remarkable what the "It's us against them" motivational tactic can do for a team.

After losing three matches in a row for the first time in history amid a 320-plus minute scoring drought, Louisville City was through with outside detractors.

"People were talking about a goal drought," Captain Matt Fondy said to the gathered media after his Man of the Match performance on Saturday. "So we were just trying focus on getting the ball forward, getting the ball wide, getting some balls in the box and ending what you guys called a goal drought."

Louisville drubbed a testy OKC Energy squad that was game from the opening whistle. Louisville looked eager to get the monkey off of their collective back early and took the game to the visitors, but OKC took the lead in the 17th minute on a well executed counter attack, which saw Louisville go down at home again for the second straight match.

However, the weight of the supposed "drought" apparently didn't weigh much on the players' minds, even after going down a goal. Louisville equalized just 10 minutes later on an indirect free kick in the box that was awarded due to an illegal back pass on the part of OKC.

"A long goalless streak, for me, wasn't a concern," Head Coach James O'Connor said. "Perspective is something that I'm very keen to keep an eye on and one of the things that I've found very helpful is that you keep an even keel. You don't get too high, when you have a performance like tonight, and you don't get too low."

Louisville would go ahead before the half on a Fondy goal, but OKC showed determination on the road when they won a penalty in the early going of the second half.

After that, though, Louisville would run away and hide.

Four more goals, including two more for Fondy to complete both his and LCFC's first hat trick, sealed the deal in the most prolific scoring outburst for the club yet.

"I think a lot of people last week were questioning a few things, which I was surprised at," O'Connor said. "I will never come out and make excuses, the players will certainly not make excuses, we have high standards for ourselves, so I'm really pleased with the way tonight's gone."

Louisville City to host Orlando City in August 25th Friendly

Amidst all the hullabaloo surrounding the Orando-Louisville breakup today came the news of what had previously been a much anticipated friendly between Orlando City and Louisville City. The match, which has been the subject of rumors since it was mentioned by officials at the Louisville City announcement last summer, will take place at Louisville Slugger Field on Tuesday, August 25th. Check out the official Louisville City press release for ticket information.

Notes

• The crowd of 6,646 was good enough to raise Louisville’s average above 6,000 fans, though it wasn’t quite at the mark for a fourth straight record.
• Orlando City loanee Sidney Rivera was not listed on Louisville’s bench for the match, though that wasn’t due to injury. It was simply a coach’s decision.
• Matt Fondy’s hat trick was good enough to earn him the USL Player of the Week award for the second time this season. Joining him on the USL Team of the Week was midfielder Magnus Rasmussen, who’s two goal, two assist performance was also outstanding. Check out the official USL release for more info.