BATTLE OF USL CHAMPIONS: NYRB II (2016) welcomes Louisville City (2017)

In a rematch of the last two USL Cup champions, Red Bull II (2016) will host Louisville City (2017) in a United Soccer League game at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. Friday at 7 p.m.

NYRB II, which is in the middle of a three-game homestand, defeated Penn FC, 2-1, last Friday. NYRB II, which sits fifth in the Eastern Conference, is 9-2-1 when at home.

Friday’s match will be John Wolyniec’s team’s fourth Friday night game of the season at MSU Soccer Park, with the three previous resulting in wins.

NYRB II continue to lead the USL in goals scored (48) and shots taken (419). The franchise record for goals scored in a season is 61, set in 2016.

Louisville City FC heads into Friday’s game carrying a three-game unbeaten streak, most recently drawing 2-2 with Indy Eleven at Slugger Field. The Boys in Purple, sitting fourth in the conference, are led by Cameron Lancaster with 10 goals. When on the road this season, Louisville City FC are 4-3-3.

NYRB II and Louisville City FC squared off earlier in the season at Slugger Field, resulting in a 3-3 draw. The draw featured a first-half brace from Lancaster, as well as a comeback from NYRB II to put the game 3-2, which was drawn level by a Magnus Rasmussen goal in stoppage time.

Following Friday’s game, NYRB II will end its three-game homestand at MSU Soccer Park against one of the league’s newcomers in North Carolina FC Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. ET.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.