Sporting KC II v Louisville City FC: Preview, Starting XI, and Predictions

Sporting Kansas City II vs Louisville City FC

When: Saturday, October 3rd, 6:30 PM CT

Where: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

How to Watch: ESPN+ ($4.99/month or 49.99 annually)

Sporting Kansas City II will bring an end to the season with their fourth visit of the year to Louisville City FC.

From three previous meetings, SKC II has won once while Lou City has won twice, including the most recent meeting being a 4-1 win for Louisville in August. Paulo Nagamura’s side is full of confidence after ending their four-game losing streak with a stoppage time winner from Bailey Sparks against the Indy Eleven.

Leading SKC II in scoring is 20-year-old forward Wilson Harris with eight goals this season. Former Colorado Rapids veteran Dillon Serna has also contributed four assists while the versatile Petar Cuic and winger Fredinho Mompremier each have three assists.

SKC II, 5-9-1, will finish the season in last place of Group E, but a win in their seventh consecutive road match on Saturday would give them their sixth win of the season, which would equal the same amount of wins they had in 2019 with 18 fewer games and 14 of 16 of them on the road.

Louisville City FC

Despite their slow start to the season, Lou City currently sits on a 10-3-2 record and have already clinched the top spot of Group E. Louisville could finish the season 11 points clear of the second place finishers if they win Saturday’s contest and Indy Eleven draw St. Louis FC.

Under the management of John Hackworth for the third consecutive season, Lou City steamrolled their way to win the group with eight wins and two draws in August and September. Their last loss came on July 29th when Jake Davis and Wilson Harris linked up for SKC II’s 83rd minute winner.

Speedy Williams’ 43rd minute header proved to be the difference in their latest win over Saint Louis FC on September 23rd. STL scored two goals before Williams’, but they were called back for offside.

Cameron Lancaster leads Lou City in scoring with nine goals, scoring a goal in each of the three previous meetings with SKC II. The trio of Corben Bone, Speedy Williams, and Napo Matsoso have combined for a total of 12 goals. Corben Bone is among the league leaders in chances created with 36 while Antoine Hoppenot leads the hosts with five assists.

Predicted Starting XI

For the final predicted XI of the season, there are just two changes with Enoch Mushagalusa swapping with Fredinho Mompremier while Christian Duke is replaced by Bailey Sparks.

With a week of rest before Lou City’s playoff opener a week from Saturday, I would expect Lou City to put out another strong lineup. That could cause some trouble with the inexperienced Kayden Pierre at right back. He did well against Indy, but a Lou City team full of confidence will be a completely different animal.

Final Prediction

With the fate of both sides already determined, Saturday’s match will be difficult to predict. Saturday’s contest won’t be the most highly anticipated contest, but with the opportunity for the Academy kids to get some crucial minutes against one of the frontrunners to win the USL Cup, this can be an invaluable experience for the organization.

For my final prediction, I think Lou City will come out on top with a 2-1 victory. Having been shut out just twice all season, SKC II always seem to find a goal, which is likely to come from Wilson Harris.