The Open Cup experience for Orange County came and went. Orange County bowed out in the fourth round to Loudoun United and can now shift all of its focus to the league.
It has been a very good start to the 2024 season as Orange County is 4-3-1 through 8 matches, which is good enough to put them third in the Western Conference. In four away games this year, Orange County have gotten eight out of a possible 12 points and have not yet lost. Each of the opponents that Orange County have faced away are all currently in playoff position. Now comes another road test: Louisville City.
THE OPPONENT - LOUISVILLE CITY FC
Louisville City needs no introduction. The most successful USL Championship side have gone to nine consecutive Eastern Conference finals en route to two USL titles. This season is shaping up to be another strong one with Louisville City already finding themselves second in the East.
The 2024 year has been pretty good for Louisville to this point and one could argue that a good start to the season was needed since last year was statistically Lou City’s worst year to date. They only finished fifth in the East, but still managed to find themselves in the Eastern Conference final. For any other team, this would be a successful season. But for Louisville, this was not good enough. So they go out and add the reigning USL Defender of the Year Arturo Ordóñez. Ordóñez has slotted nicely into the back three to lead a defense that has only let in seven goals. Those seven goals are good enough to be tied for 2nd in the league with two other teams.
Since they are tied for second in goals allowed it only makes sense that Louisville will also be second in goals scored in the USL. They have scored 23 goals which is just two behind Charleston who have 25. Their last leaguegame definitely helped this total when they thrashed Hartford Athletic 6-0.
Danny Cruz is in his third full season for Louisville and he will look to win his first USL title as a head coach and the third overall for Louisville.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisville have found their groove both offensively and defensively. Where the defense is anchored by Ordóñez, the LouCity’s offensive anchor is Wilson Harris . Of Louisville’s 23 goals for, Harris has scored seven of them. The next best player for Louisville only has three. Harris is only 24-years-old and should be with Louisville for the foreseeable future. And at this r ate, he is on pace to become the youngest-ever player to score 50 goals in USL Championship history.
Thomas Amang came on at the half during the Open Cup and needed just 17 minutes to find the back of the net. Unfortunately, OC couldn’t find another goal. Photo courtesy of Orange County SC
On the orange side of things, Thomas Amang is beginning to find his form and at the right time. The Cameroonian forward has four goals on the year, three of which have been scored in league play. He has also found the back of the net in his last two appearances. He is a true poacher in front of the net, and someone who has found minutes in every game of the season so far. For OC, it has been a joint effort to score goals this season, but Amang is separating from the pack with his goal contributions.
THE MATCH UP
Both teams have very good defense, yet both teams suffered defeats in their midweek Open Cup matches. Louisville may have gotten it a bit worse though: they were eliminated by the Seattle Sounders in penalties.
This will be the third time that these two teams have faced each other.
Louisville has gotten the better of OC both times with a pair of 3-1 victories; both in Kentucky and Southern California. The last match up came last year in the season opener, when Kevin Partida scored OC’s lone goal.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Louisville City FC (USL Championship)
When - May 11, 4:30 PM PST
Where - Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY)
OCSC Form - LWLDW
LOU Form - LWWWW
All-Time Match Up - 0-2-0
TV - KCAL 9, ESPN+