Following a hotly contested 4-3 loss at the hands of club rivals New York Red Bulls II, Bethlehem Steel FC heads to the Bluegrass state for a grudge match against two-time defending USL Cup Champions Louisville City FC. Kick off from at Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday, July 20 is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Strength
Home-Field Advantage – As Steel fans and the rest of the league have known since their inception, LouCity’s home field has been a huge advantage. While a beautiful park for baseball, the field is transformed into a multi-surface playing area when the infield dirt is covered with turf. With it being one of just two teams in the Eastern Conference that have to cover an infield, teams typically struggle with uncanny bounces where the added pieces are put in. The only team that truly knows how to play on that field is Louisville City FC, making it a huge competitive advantage there.
Weakness
Inconsistency – Although they are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings right now, this is not the LouCity of old that dominated the league. The Kentucky side has been inconsistent this year in their performances. They’ve dropped points against teams that wouldn’t have even been on their radar last year and could leave the Steel with an opportunity to kick in the door in Louisville’s house.
Players to watch
Magnus Rasmussen, M #7 – Rasmussen is LouCity’s leading goal man, having put in seven goals on the year. While none of those came in the last matchup against the Steel, he’s a player that is lethal in front of goal. Give him too much time or even an ounce of space and he’ll make you pay.
Luke Spencer, F #9 – Only trailing Rasmussen by two goals on Louisville’s leaderboard, Spencer is known throughout the league as someone that needs to be watched. The tall Englishman is able to bury chances from his midfield position and five goals in 2019 make him a threat to the Steel defense.
Oscar Jimenez, M #19 – Good finishers are nothing without someone to distribute the ball and create chances. That’s what Oscar Jimenez is to Louisville City FC. Jimenez leads the club in chances created with 62 and three assists on the year. If Steel FC can shut him down, then they’ll have stalled the engine that drives Louisville’s attack.
Injuries/Suspensions
None
The Boys in Blue hit the road this week to take on reigning USL Cup Champions Louisville City FC on Saturday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action on ESPN+.
