The USL Cup Playoffs get underway this weekend with an Eastern Conference clash featuring the conference leading Louisville City hosting the Bethlehem Steel
After a quiet start to the season, Louisville City FC slowly but surely found their place at the top of the Eastern Conference standings and never looked back. Last year, they finished just behind New York Red Bulls II before falling to them in the USL Playoff semifinals on penalties, while in 2015 during their Louisville debut, they finished just behind the Rochester Rhinos and also lost to the conference leaders in the semis. Louisville City will now look to take one step further in the USL Cup Playoffs. Their first order of business will be the visiting Bethlehem Steel, who were able to just edge out Orlando City B for the last playoff spot, despite winning just once in their last five matches.
Head to Head
Get ready for it! pic.twitter.com/yltN170XlW
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) October 16, 2017
Louisville City FC
Record: 18-6-8 (11-2-3 at home)
Last Five Home Matches: 4-0-1
Key Player To Watch: Devon “Speedy” Williams
Why Louisville?: Louisville has one of the more well-rounded USL rosters in league. They finished the regular season with the third-most goals in the league, 58, only behind Western Conference based Real Monarchs SLC (59) and Reno 1868 FC (75). Midfielder Oscar Jimenez leads the USL in chances created with 71, while Speedy Williams has been one of the most accurate passers in the league.
While the attack has been impressive, the defense has also conceded the third-least amount of goals this year with 31. The combined effort front to back, along with their dominant play at home, makes Louisville the clear favorites to reach the USL Cup Final from the East.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Steel FC is playoff bound and even @rogbennett is on board at the right time! #ChampionsReborn https://t.co/sETdH2BqeY
— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) October 16, 2017
Record: 12-12-8 (6-7-3 on the road)
Last Five Road Matches: 1-1-3
Key Player To Watch: Adam Najem
Why Bethlehem?: The Steel have been a streaky team this season. It took them until June to earn a road result, then they won four of their five away games. Bethlehem didn’t instill much confidence for a playoff run with how they rounded out their season, and the last time they beat a playoff contender was July 9 against NYRBII, who are just above them in the standings, in a 2-0 home victory. Of the teams that made the playoffs, the Steel have only beating NYRBII and FC Cincinnati, but were won both of their matches against each of them.
Bethlehem was the only team to earn a result at Louisville Slugger Field of the last five clubs that have played there, walking away with a 2-2 draw. If they can find a similar result against the home side and force a penalty shootout, they could end Louisville into an early off-season.
Match Info and Prediction
Next: Attendance Shocker For NWSL Final
Match Time: Friday, October 20, 5:30 pm EST
Venue: Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY
Prediction: Louisville City 2, Bethlehem Steel 0