Oakland scored first, but it was the home team Louisville City FC that would come away with the win in what was a dramatic contest from start to finish on Saturday night at Lynn Family Stadium in Kentucky.
Lou City opened the match by putting immense pressure on Roots, finding openings in the Oakland defense that led to multiple high quality scoring chances.
But Roots keeper, Paul Blanchette, continued to do what he has done for his team throughout the season, making one big save after another throughout the first frame.
Oakland eventually settled into the match and had some good opportunities of their own, looking particularly dangerous on fast counter attacks.
Regardless, Louisville consistently moved the ball into Oakland’s defensive third, and generated shots on goal forcing Blanchette to play a career half to keep his team in it.
Lou City celebrated what looked like a go ahead goal in added time of the first frame, but the official ruled that contact was made with Blanchette on the play, and the goal was disallowed — to the dismay of the home crowd.
Frustrated and perhaps frazzled by what had just transpired, Lou City took their foot off the gas for the final seconds before the halftime whistle.
In a shocking reversal of fortunes, Roots capitalized on this brief lapse of defense when Memo Diaz found room to work on the right wing and sent a beautiful cross in front of goal to a waiting Johnny Rodriguez. Oakland’s leading scorer finished the play by heading the ball into the twine, sending his team to the locker room up 1-0 at halftime.
Oakland opened the second half with renewed confidence following their late first half goal, nearly repeating the feat in the first moments of play when Diaz found Rodriguez again in front of the goal, this time the attempt being denied by the Lou City keeper.
The run of play turned in Louisville’s favor once again for much of the remainder of the match. Lou City capitalized on their consistent pressure in the 71st minute when Brian Ownby finally beat Blanchette, tying the game up at 1-1.
Each team battled to the end, and Roots’ Anuar Peláez nearly put his team back ahead in the waning moments of regular time with a highlight-reel shot into the very top corner of the goal. But a miraculous diving save from the Louisville keeper kept it even.
Louisville pressed hard during the added time of the match, and found the game winner in the final seconds of added time courtesy of Oscar Jimenez — a heartbreaking finish for Oakland.
Roots return home next to take on NorCal rivals Sacramento Republic on Saturday, September 2nd at 7:00 PM PT.
Oakland Roots SC vs Louisville City FC
USL Championship | August 26, 2023
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky
Kickoff: 4:30 PM PT
Weather: 82 degrees, scattered storms
SCORELINE:
LOU: 2
OAK: 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
OAK: 45’+ Johnny Rodriguez
LOU: 71’ Brian Ownby
LOU: 90’+ Oscar Jimenez
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
LOU: 45’+ Danny Cruz (yellow card)
OAK: 53’ Tarek Morad (yellow card)
OAK: 81’ Neveal Hackshaw (yellow card)
OAK: 88’ Paul Blanchette (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Danny Barbir, Neveal Hackshaw, Emrah Klimenta, Wolfgang Prentice (Daniel Gomez), Tarek Morad, Napo Matsoso (Irakoze Donasiyano), Memo Diaz, Trayvone Reid (Ryan Her), Johnny Rodriguez (Anuar Peláez), Lindo Mfeka (Jeciel Cedeño)
Unused subs: Taylor Bailey
Shots: 7 | Shots On Goal: 4 | Corner Kicks: 3 | Fouls: 12 | Offside: 3 |
LOUISVILLE CITY FC LINEUP: Oliver Semmle, Oscar Jimenez, Wes Charpie, Sean Totsch, Manny Perez (Kyle Adams), Carlos Moguel (Tyler Gibson), Jorge Gonzalez Asensi (Maarten Pouwels), Paolo DelPiccolo (Rasmus Pedersen), Wilson Harris, Elijah Wynder, Ray Serrano (Bryan Ownby)
Unused subs: Cameron Lancaster, Danny Faundez
Shots: 23 | Shots On Goal: 10 | Corner Kicks: 7 | Fouls: 16 | Offside: 0 |
