SAN DIEGO – Louisville City FC continued its undefeated start to the season while handing San Diego Loyal SC its first loss at Torero Stadium this campaign with a wild 5-2 victory that included three penalty kicks and two red cards as both sides ended the contest with 10 players.

Louisville capitalized on a mistake by the hosts to take the lead in just the fourth minute as Wilson Harris picked off a pass by SD Loyal’s Grant Stoneman and wove past a defender and the goalkeeper before putting home his fourth league goal of the season. The hosts pulled level in the 14th minute, however, when Thomas Amang was brought down by Sean Totsch as he bore down on goal, resulting in a penalty kick. Andrew Carleton stepped up for SD Loyal and converted to the top-left corner of the net past the dive of LouCity’s Kyle Morton.

The visitors almost capitalized on another defensive miscue by the hosts only two minutes later as Brian Ownby’s first-time shot from the top of the penalty area was saved by SD Loyal’s Austin Guerrero as it darted toward the right corner. LouCity regained the lead in first-half stoppage time, however, as Guerrero came for a corner but was unable to claim the ball cleanly, allowing the ball to drop in the penalty area where Wesley Charpie struck home a half-volleyed finish into the right corner.

LouCity got the chance to add to its lead four minutes into the second half when Harris’ free kick was handled in the defensive wall, resulting in a penalty kick. Totsch stepped up and shot to the left side, sending Guerrero the opposite way, to make it a two-goal edge for the visitors, but just as quickly SD Loyal responded as Kyle Vassell broke onto a ball over the top, held off his defender and curled a shot into the top-right corner of the net from the left side of the penalty area.

Three minutes later, LouCity was reduced to 10 men as Totsch was sent off for his second yellow card of the contest, but despite being down a man the visitors almost added to their lead midway through the half when Harris played Ownby into the right side of the SD Loyal penalty area for a shot that went wide of the left upright. Ownby’s speed on the counterattack resulted in a second penalty kick for the visitors that also saw Stoneman sent off as he brought down the winger in the penalty area for denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Niall McCabe stepped to the spot and converted to restore the two-goal lead for the visitors with seven minutes to go.

SD Loyal wouldn’t let go of hope, and with four minutes remaining Morgan Hackworth had a chance that he sent just high and wide of the right corner after stealing in behind the defense before being confronted by Morton. The LouCity goalkeeper also came up with a big save in stoppage time as he parried away a turning shot by Vassell to keep the two-goal margin. Ownby wrapped up the win for the visitors in second-half stoppage-time, however, as he capitalized on a miscommunication on a long-ball upfield to steal in and claim possession and score the fifth of the night for the Eastern Conference leaders.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Wesley Charpie, Louisville City FC – Charpie scored a key goal in first-half stoppage time that put the visitors ahead for good, and also completed 23 of 29 passes while making three clearances and four interceptions.

Scoring Summary
LOU – Wilson Harris 4’
SD – Andrew Carleton (Penalty Kick) 14’
LOU – Wesley Sharpie 45+4’
LOU – Sean Totsch (Penalty Kick) 51’
SD – Kyle Vassell (Grant Stoneman) 52’
LOU – Niall McCabe (Penalty Kick) 83’
LOU – Brian Ownby (Kyle Morton) 90+4’

Full Box Score