LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A second-half goal by Tyler Blackwood lifted Saint Louis FC to only its second league victory against Louisville City FC in the Kings’ Cup history between the clubs as the visitors took a 1-0 win at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday night.

Making his 100th regular-season appearance in the Championship, Cameron Lancaster almost marked the landmark with an early goal, firing a first-time shot from the top of the penalty area toward the bottom-right corner that STLFC goalkeeper Kyle Morton just got his fingertips to, turning it onto the post before it was cleared to safety.

Lancaster was denied again by the woodwork in the 22nd minute as the defense dropped off him 30 yards from goal and allowed him to curl an ambitious shot to the top-left corner that froze Morton but rang off the crossbar and deflected behind. The 2018 Championship Golden Boot threatened three minutes before halftime as well with a free kick 12 yards from the goal line on the left side that he whipped past the wall and on target, only for Morton to punch clear.

After being put under pressure for much of the first half, however, Saint Louis grabbed the lead seven minutes into the second on a clever set piece routine. Todd Wharton played the ball short to Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare at the top-left corner of the penalty area, and after receiving a pass back lofted a deep cross to the back post where Guy Abend was waiting. Abend’s header fell to Blackwood, who finished simply from close range to put the visitors ahead.

Facing the threat of suffering a second consecutive defeat to open its new venue, Louisville continued to apply pressure but was unable to find a quality chance to equalize. A header by Devon Williams shortly after STLFC went ahead was comfortably saved by Morton, while Napo Matsoso didn’t get full purchase on another header off a cross by Antoine Hoppenot in the 64th minute.

Louisville continued to press into stoppage time, but chances were few and far between. A header that flew high from Abdou Thiam was the last real chance for the hosts as Saint Louis defended resolutely to see out the remaining minutes and claim their first road victory in Louisville in club history.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Kyle Morton, Saint Louis FC – Morton posted a four-save shutout, including an outstanding pair of saves to deny Cameron Lancaster when the game remained scoreless, in a big victory for the visitors.