Matt Fondy sets USL scoring record as Louisville City clinches playoffs

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Louisville, KY — Needing a win to get into the playoffs, Louisville City FC (14-5-6, 48 points) got a hat trick from Matt Fondy, giving him the USL regular season scoring record with 21 goals, to lead the hosts past the Harrisburg City Islanders (10-10-5, 34 points) 4-0 in the final regular season home game in front of 7,702 fans at Slugger Field Wednesday night.

Starting off the scoring in the 19th minute, Lou City set up a series of passes when Magnus Rasmussen sent a short cross inside that found the right foot of Fondy for his first goal of the night. Just three minutes later Fondy would tie the USL record with his 20th goal on the year, after a miscue by Harrisburg that would allow him to get behind the defense, putting Lou City up 2-0.

After a few chances by Harrisburg, Lou City continued to threaten in the Islanders box, with the record breaking goal for Fondy coming in the 40th minute when the keeper chose to dive right, and in turn Ilija Ilic sent a pass to an open Fondy who once again found the back of the net.

Louisville Fire soccer
Matt Fondy

The night wasn’t without some fantastic defensive efforts especially from Lou City keeper Scott Goodwin who saved multiple great chances from the Islanders throughout the contest. Notably in the second half, Goodwin had a double save on Harrisburg’s best scoring opportunity of the game.

The Harrisburg strike in the 78th minute from the left gave Goodwin a save that was pushed out to the Islanders Garret Pettis who had his attempt collected after a strong shot that went right into the hands of Goodwin – giving him a double save on the play.

Finishing off the night, the final goal for Lou City came in stoppage time after three strong chances earlier in the second half. On a routine cross from the right to the left by Bryan Burke, Ilija Ilic was able to score the free header to put Lou City up 4-0 in the last few seconds of play.

Enrique Montano. (Photo from Louisville City's Instagram Page).
Enrique Montano. (Photo from Louisville City’s Instagram Page).

At the final whistle, Louisville City FC would defeat the Harrisburg Islanders 4-0.

Lou City now is in solid position as the second seed in the USL playoffs nine points ahead of their next opponent, the New York Red Bulls II (11-8-6, 39 points), and the following opponent, the Charleston Battery (10-6-9, 39 points). Lou City will hit the road for three games before the playoffs begin though starting Saturday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey versus the Red Bulls II squad that handed Lou City a 2-0 defeat back on June 20th at Louisville Slugger Field. Watch the game live on YouTube starting at 8:30pm EST: Watch the Game Live Here