You could easily understand the pride for Louisville City FC Head Coach Danny Cruz after his side’s 4-2 victory against Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday night.
The result, highlighted by Phillip Goodrum’s second career hat trick and Taylor Davila becoming the first player to record three assists in a game this season, capped an eight-day run that had seen LouCity take three consecutive wins at Lynn Family Stadium to move into sole possession of first place in the Players’ Shield race.
“I’m proud of the group,” said Cruz. “Not an easy week – not easy to do what they just did – and again, nine points is important, especially here at home.”
There’s no getting around the fact that sweeping three games in eight days is impressive.
But it’s also standard for what Louisville City does at home these days.
Since the start of the 2024 regular season, the club is now 22-1-1 on its home turf. It’s dropped only five points out of 72 available in 24 games. The only team within shouting distance of that record is Eastern Conference nemesis the Charleston Battery, who are 18-2-3 over the same span. Next on the list is New Mexico United with 14 home wins – or 64 percent of LouCity’s total.
What’s more, it’s averaged three goals per game at home – 72 goals in 24 contests – over its current run. There might not be a better bang-for-your-buck in terms of home performances in American soccer right now.
As its undefeated streak to start the regular season – now at 13 games – and overall – now up to 19 games – moves forward, there’s no fortress like that of LouCity’s in the Championship right now.
Here are this week’s rankings.
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
|
1 | ![]() |
Loudoun United FC (8-3-1) Week 16: @ HFD |
![]() Last Week: 3 |
The test Loudoun faced playing last year’s top three in the East in consecutive weeks? Two wins and one draw continues to say this club is a serious contender. |
2 | ![]() |
Louisville City FC (9-0-4) Week 16: @ NC |
![]() Last Week: 4 |
Louisville’s defense carried it over the first three months of the season, but they’ve now scored multiple goals in four consecutive league wins. The Players’ Shield holders are ramping up again. |
3 | ![]() |
FC Tulsa (6-3-3) Week 16: --- |
![]() Last Week: 7 |
Tulsa set a club record with 29 shots on Saturday night against Phoenix Rising and could have taken all three points if not for a remarkable performance by Patrick Rakovsky. This side continues to trend up. |
4 | ![]() |
Charleston Battery (9-2-1) Week 16: @ MIA; vs. PHX |
![]() Last Week: 5 |
The Battery were on the wrong side of a lot of numbers against Hartford but clinical where their hosts were not in front of goal. That’s 17 consecutive league games with a goal, the club’s longest streak going back to 2017. |
5 | ![]() |
Phoenix Rising FC (5-3-5) Week 16: @ CHS |
![]() Last Week: 2 |
Rising couldn’t hold onto its early lead in Tulsa, but at the end of that second half coming away with a point will feel like a positive step forward. This weekend’s visit to Charleston is a massive test. |
6 | ![]() |
North Carolina FC (6-4-2) Week 16: vs. LOU |
![]() Last Week: 1 |
NCFC could feel a little hard-done-by on Rhode Island’s late penalty kick, but it’s still in a good spot in the top four despite the end of a four-game winning streak. |
7 | ![]() |
Indy Eleven (3-3-5) Week 16: vs. LV |
![]() Last Week: 11 |
Two consecutive 1-0 victories have the Boys in Blue on the move. They’re the only team alongside the Charleston Battery to have scored in every league game this season. |
8 | ![]() |
New Mexico United (7-4-1) Week 16: vs. SA |
![]() Last Week: 6 |
Tough loss for New Mexico, but not a lot of damage done with the rest of the weekend’s results. We hope Kalen Ryden is OK after his early withdrawal against Lexington. |
9 | ![]() |
San Antonio FC (6-4-3) Week 16: @ NM |
![]() Last Week: 13 |
SAFC couldn’t quite find enough in the attacking third, but that’s a good point on the road against Sacramento to keep moving forward in the top three. |
10 | ![]() |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (3-4-6) Week 16: @ LEX |
![]() Last Week: 15 |
There wasn’t anything particularly flashy about the Switchbacks’ win against Oakland, but it’s a good result to start an important run of games. |
11 | ![]() |
Sacramento Republic FC (3-3-5) Week 16: @ BHM; @ RI |
![]() Last Week: 9 |
Back-to-back scoreless outings is a step back for Republic FC as it heads for a big week on the road. Where did the scoring outbursts in recent weeks go? |
12 | ![]() |
Miami FC (4-6-1) Week 16: vs. CHS; @ DET |
![]() Last Week: 8 |
Miami’s lost three times after taking the lead this season, and two have come against in-state rival Tampa Bay. That’s going to sting a little. |
13 | ![]() |
El Paso Locomotive FC (5-3-5) Week 16: @ MB |
![]() Last Week: 10 |
Three shots on target out of 24 shots isn’t the percentage you’re looking for. Add some defensive lapses, and you get a 3-0 defeat to Orange County that didn’t really represent the way the game unfolded. |
14 | ![]() |
Rhode Island FC (4-6-3) Week 16: vs. SAC |
![]() Last Week: 17 |
Finally, RIFC has its first victory at Centreville Stadium. That will be a relief for everyone, now the side needs to kick on with some key home contests ahead. . |
15 | ![]() |
Monterey Bay FC (5-5-4) Week 16: vs. ELP |
![]() Last Week: 12 |
Monterey Bay was on top against Las Vegas for the opening half-hour and then that control got wrested away. It’s a setback, and one that needs a response after three defeats in the past four. |
16 | ![]() |
Orange County SC (5-6-1) Week 16: --- |
![]() Last Week: 20 |
Orange County has not played a normal game this season. In every game they’ve recorded multiple goals, they’ve got a result (5-0-1). In every game they’ve recorded one or been shutout, they’ve lost every time (0-6-0). |
17 | ![]() |
Tampa Bay Rowdies (2-8-2) Week 16: @ PIT |
![]() Last Week: 21 |
It’s hard to believe that’s the first time Lewis Hilton has recordedmultiple assists in a USL Championship game, but it’s the truth and couldn’t have come ata more important moment this season. |
18 | ![]() |
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (4-6-2) Week 16: vs. TBR |
![]() Last Week: 16 |
A week after the Hounds held Detroit without a shot ontarget, Indy did the same to them. This attack is proving more miss than hit at the moment. |
19 | ![]() |
Las Vegas Lights FC (4-6-3) Week 16: @ IND |
![]() Last Week: 23 |
We’re going to need to see more out of the Lights after its tumultuous week ended with a win, but there was room for optimism as well as a big sigh of relief on Saturday night. |
20 | ![]() |
Lexington SC (2-6-5) Week 16: vs. COS |
![]() Last Week: 24 |
Finally, Lexington has put up another victory. It’s hard to argue the hosts didn’t deserve it with their overall performance, too. Now the question is can they build on this? |
21 | ![]() |
Birmingham Legion FC (2-6-4) Week 16: vs. SAC; vs. OAK |
![]() Last Week: 14 |
Legion’s back line got torn to shreds by Louisville for a second consecutive trip to Lynn Family Stadium. At least AJ Paterson’s back on the field, with Ramiz Hamouda right behind him. |
22 | ![]() |
Hartford Athletic (1-7-3) Week 16: vs. LDN |
![]() Last Week: 19 |
Good process, bad outcome for Hartford against Charleston. More of those attacking ideas should produce results, but the inconsistency the side has shown remains a worry. |
23 | ![]() |
Detroit City FC (4-4-5) Week 16: vs. MIA |
![]() Last Week: 18 |
Seven games without a win, and 12 points dropped from winning positions for Le Rouge this season. That’s not where we expect this side to be, not that it’s impacted its fifth-place position yet. |
24 | ![]() |
Oakland Roots SC (3-8-2) Week 16: @ BHM |
![]() Last Week: 22 |
The magnitude of the challenge before Benny Feilhaber should be evident to him now. Only five shots and one shot on target in defeat at Colorado Springs. |
Tag(s): Power Rankings San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC North Carolina FC Indy Eleven El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Loudoun United FC Hartford Athletic Miami FC Oakland Roots SC Detroit City FC Monterey Bay FC Rhode Island FC Lexington SC