USL CUP

Louisville City FC (East Champion) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (West Champion)
6pm MST, Thursday, Lynn Stadium, Louisville, KY
TV: **ESPN2**
Radio: Fox Sports 910 / 93.7 El Patron (Spanish)
Stream: ESPN3 (subscription required)
Referee: Joseph Dickerson (5th Rising appearance, 2 in 2018, 2 in 2017)
Series History: First Matchup between Phoenix and Louisville
Matchcenter: LOUvPHX

It all comes down to this. No matter the result, we will see the 2018 USL season end as well as a legend’s career (or will it) tonight. Phoenix will continue

How They Got Here

Louisville City FC

• Conference First Round- Defeated (7) Indy Eleven 4-1
• Conference Semifinals- Defeated (6) Bethlehem Steel 2-0
• Conference Finals- Defeated (5) New York Red Bulls II 5-1

Phoenix Rising FC

• Conference First Round- Defeated (6) Portland Timbers II 3-0
• Conference Semifinals- Defeated (7) Swope Park Rangers 4-2
• Conference Finals- Defeated (1) Orange County 2-1

Three To Watch

Cameron Lancaster – (26 goals, 2 assists)

The USL Golden Boot winner and MVP finalist left the conference final with an injury and, according to coach John Hackworth, is a game-time decision. I would bet that Lancaster is on the field when the opening whistle is blown though and Louisville will be all the more dangerous because of it.

Brian Ownby – (3 goals, 2 assists in the playoffs)

Ownby has been on fire in the playoffs, having already equaled his regular season scoring total in three playoff games. Ownby will likely line up on the wing next to Lancaster, giving Louisville multiple options in the attack.

Oscar Ramirez – (13 assists, 85 chances created)

Playing on the wing, Ramirez led Louisville this year in assists (tied for third in USL overall) and chances created (5th in USL). Playing wide in Louisville’s 3-4-3 and outside back when in a 4-2-3-1 allows Ramirez to join the attack while minimizing defensive responsibilities.

Three Keys

Midfield Defense

To be the best, you have to beat the best. After putting down the highest scoring team in the Western Conference, Phoenix faces the highest-scoring team in the league this year.  Expect that lots of pressure will be put on the midfield two of Kevon Lambert and Colin Fernandez. The two have done well in the playoffs in closing down attackers and filling in potential passing lanes. Thursday will be a dramatically different test and preventing Louisville from moving the ball through the middle of the field is the first step to shutting down their dangerous attack.

Outside Backs

If the first step to shutting down the Louisville attack is clogging up the middle, the second step is to prevent opportunities from the outside (because, duh). As mentioned above, Oscar Ramirez has been a force when it comes to chance creation and he has done so whipping the ball in from the left side. This means that a lot of pressure will fall on Saad Abdul-Salaam in picking his spots to stay back and defend or bomb forward to be another outlet in the attack. The same goes for Amadou Dia on the left side. If either and/or both backs get pinned back by the Louisville attack, Phoenix will find it harder to connect in the attacking third.

Make the Most of Little

Phoenix has played their best this year when their opponent holds a majority of possession, allowing Rising to spring on the counter when given the opportunity. Phoenix will probably not have as many chances in tonight’s match to do so, meaning that the team must be clinical in order to find a win at Lynn Stadium. The team did so last week and another early goal would do wonders in setting up a Phoenix win.  

Lineup

Due to the hamstring injury to Chris Cortez in the Western Conference Final, we expect Kevaughn Frater to be starting in the #9 role.  An alternative lineup would return Drogba to the #9 with Gladson Awako as the playmaker in the middle.  We do not expect to see any other changes in the starting 11.

Mike DaFonte is likely to be unavailable for selection to the final 18 due to an unlisted injury.  Unlike other reserve players, DaFonte did not appear to have traveled with the team Louisville.  Replacing him in a backup role will likely be Douegui Mala.

Other News

Fans are streaming into Louisville for the game.  If you made the effort to travel or not, stay close to @firebirdsite (Twitter) and @fitbawfoto (instagram).  For sounds from the Bourbon City, tune into The Daily Blender with Jeffry O’Brien (1580 am) in the 1 o’clock hour, where we’ll be calling in from a genuine Kentucky tailgate.

#UpRising