It took an own goal to finally break the draw, but that was all that was needed to put the Louisville City past Lansing United into the third round of this year’s US Open Cup.
In a closely contested match in which USL side Louisville City, a fully professional team, had the majority of possession but NPSL squad Lansing United, an ameteur team, had the better scoring chances, it was an own goal from Lansing captain Matt Brown that that sent Louisville on to the third round, where they’ll face the NASL’s Indy Eleven.
U.S. Open Cup: Louisville City Into the Third Round With 1-0 Win Over Lansing United
Lansing came out quickly against the USL side, generating a decent scoring chance to open the match and earning a corner in just the second minute, but as the teams settled in the gameplans became clear. Louisville, the USL affiliate of MLS’ Orlando City, dominated possession and routinely worked the ball wide for crosses into the box. Lansing sat back defensively, spending much of the first half with nine defenders behind the ball leaving just a single striker up top. While Louisville did dominate possession, their crosses into the box played right into Lansing’s hands as United’s Ben Lamb, Jimmy Fiscus, and Austin Dunn were dominant in the air, clearing most of the early crosses with ease.
The counterattacking mentality from United gave Louisville most of the ball, but generated a few good scoring opportunities. Dunn was key for United in generating a number of counter attacks, picking up the ball in defense and pushing the play forward.
Louisville’s lone goal came in the 48th minute and was marked as an own goal despite being on target. Off a corner kick, Charlie Adams of Louisville City played a short corner to Magnus Rasmussen, who laid the ball back to Adams. Adams put his shot on target, and it ricocheted off the Lansing captain and past goalkeeper Quinn McAnaney.
As the second half wore on Lansing had a number of opportunities, and should have leveled the score. In the 70th minute, defender Ben Lamb almost headed home a cross from Fiscus following a corner. Lansing fullback Ade Adeniyi had the best of the chances with two minutes remaining, glancing a shot off the outside of the post. Louisville’s defense held strong though and goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh kept United out of the back of the net to preserve the shutout and send Louisville to the third round.
For Lansing the result was a disappointment, but the club showed a lot by competing against a higher level club. The team now turns its attention to the NPSL regular season and their home opener in the league on Friday night against the Indiana Fire.
Louisville City turn their attention back to USL play before taking on NASL side Indy Eleven next Wednesday in US Open Cup third round play.
Main Photo: Hoffman Photography, via Louisville City FC
