2026 US Open Cup Round 2: Louisville City uses “collective performance” to get past Lexington SC

Another Bluegrassico victory goes to Louisville City, as the away team beat host Lexington SC, 2-0 to advance to the Round of 32 in the 2026 US Open Cup. A seemingly one-sided rivalry between the two USL-Championship sides, this puts Los Marados at 5-0 in matches against LSC. 

“It wasn’t an easy one, we grinded out for the goals, and we kept a clean sheet. Happy to impact it with a goal and happy we’re moving on,” Louisville forward Tola Showunmi said.

The game broke in the 24th minute when Lou City’s Babacar Niang slotted home a goal. The free kick came when LSC’s Jacob Greene committed a brutal foul on Jake Morris. This put Louisville in a prime position to score, just outside the box. Jansen Wilson crossed an inviting ball inside the box, which Niang headed upwards at the crossbar. Showunmi collected the rebound but was denied by a defender. With immediate recognition, Niang gathered the rebound and put it in the right-hand corner, leaving the defense standing still.

“Getting the goal when we did, I think, helped because we were under a little bit of pressure in the first half. But the goal settled us down, and it ended up opening the game more,” said Lou City’s head coach Simon Bird. 

The rest of the first half, Lexington did not show signs of quitting. The Greens maintained majority possession, with 114 passes in the opposition’s half and two corners. Their efforts were highlighted by Aaron Malloy’s shot in the 36th minute. From more than 35 yards out, Malloy launched a knuckleball, whizzing by defenders. Typically, this is a familiar sight for Lexington fans. Malloy has already scored two goals from outside the box this season, including one against Louisville. But this was not a normal night. The ball was adeptly saved by City’s Fauroux.

Ultimately, the game was decided shortly after halftime. Only six minutes in, Showunmi netted the ball to put Louisville up 2-0. The game was sealed in the 51st minute after a direct attack started by a penetrating ball from Niang to Wilson. With his speed, Jansen Wilson beat the defender and laid a shot on target, but LSC goalkeeper Oliver Semmle came out of the net to make a save. The Lexington defenders tried to make a clearance, but the effort was weak, and the ball fell to Mukwelle Akale. Akale propelled a shot on target, but Showunmi stuck a foot out to make a cheeky deflection. By the time Semmle attempted to make a save, the ball was already hitting the back of the net.

The Greens tried to shake things up by making a few substitutions, yet these changes proved unfruitful. Michael Adedokun was uncomposed, often being untidy with his touches, making sloppy passes, and giving the ball away. In the 73rd minute, Lexington led a promising attack. Xavier Zengue played an excellent cross right to Adedokun’s chest. With open space, Adedokun sailed the ball wide right, resulting in a throw-in for Lou City.

As the match went on, you could feel Lexington’s tires deflating. Lou City’s pressure was just too much. Impact subs like Manny Perez rejuvenated their defense, while Showunmi remained a nuisance the whole 90 minutes. 

“I think when we won the ball and connected that first pass, we were exceptional,” Bird said. “I thought it was one of our better games with the ball, and in possession we moved it at a high tempo.

“I think today was more of a collective performance. My hope is that’s what people see with us.”