Louisville City FC, the two-time defending United Soccer League champions, is off to a slow start — perhaps the slowest in the team's five-year history.

The team lost again last weekend, marking its third defeat in the first five games. Just how surprising is that? Here's how long it took to a lose a third game in the previous four seasons:

2018: June 27 (Game No. 14)

2017: July 15 (Game No. 16)

2016: July 30 (Game No. 21)

2015: June 20 (Game No. 13)

So what's causing the early-season struggles? Coach John Hackworth and veteran midfielder Oscar Jimenez blamed it on "little mistakes."

"If we put together the type of soccer we’re capable of playing and then eliminate these little mistakes ... we’re going to be fine," Hackworth said.

The reality is it can be pinpointed more specifically on four factors.

Execution

LouCity has scored six goals and allowed nine this season. In comparison, the team scored 43 goals and gave up 16 in the 17 games last season after Hackworth was hired.

The team needs more in the offensive and defensive 18-yard boxes, Hackworth said.

"We need to finish our chances that we create — we haven't done that," he said. "We need to make sure that we on the defensive side get that block, stand the guy up, make the save, all of those things."

Read more:Louisville City FC signs 16-year-old Collegiate student as first Academy signing

Injuries

The team lost two veterans, forward Luke Spencer and midfielder George Davis IV, to hamstring strains last weekend, joining midfielders Brian Ownby (knee), Richie Ballard (hip) and Paolo DelPiccolo (soreness), and goalie Chris Hubbard (leg) on the injury list.

Another player, forward Sunny Jane (ankle), could potentially return this week.

Jimenez took an optimistic approach, saying the injuries are "part of the game." He called it an opportunity for the team's other players — and veterans — to step up.

"It’s really unfortunate that it comes to a lot of our key players, a lot of our veterans," he said. "Not only do they bring quality to the field, but they also bring a great sense of leadership and understanding of the game. ... I’m looking forward to seeing how these guys step up. Everyone needs to step up, including myself."

More:From suit and tie to sweatpants and cleats: A LouCity coach comes full circle

Personnel changes

The team lost four key players in the off-season: their two-leading scorers, forwards Cameron Lancaster and Ilija Ilic, starting defender Kyle Smith, and starting goalie Greg Ranjitisingh.

The team prides itself based on the system it's built over the last few years. But the influx of new faces has led Hackworth to play a number of different formations in the early part of the 2019 season.

He said the team has improved in those systems, especially in the last two games. Specifically, the team has moved better as a team, and defended the counter-attack, a necessity for Louisville's offense, which likes to flood the attacking half.

"I still think that we’re a team that's played better soccer than our opponents so far," Hackworth said. "And if we build on that, I think we’ll win more games than we lose in this league."

Also:Louisville City FC's Sunny Jane waits for 'electrifying' debut with hometown team

Mindset

Jimenez said LouCity players need to improve their "nitty-gritty mentality" and "hunger to get the win." That includes responding better to taking an extra shot as the two-time defending champions.

"The fact that we won the championship last year, making it two in a row, makes things a little bit harder," he said. "I think so far this season we haven’t been the best at it."

LouCity will look to get on track Saturday against an undefeated Tampa Bay Rowdies team that has been the virtual opposite of them so far. Tampa Bay has won three games, tied two and outscored their opponents, 8-1.

It will mark a homecoming for Hackworth, a Dunedin, Florida, native, who said he grew up a Rowdies fan. He said he'll also have several family members in attendance.

"I’m not going to lie, there will be some sentimental feelings coaching against the Rowdies for the first time because as a kid growing up there, they were larger than life," he said. "And some of those guys were my heroes and the reason I’m a soccer coach today and turned into a soccer player."

But he said the only objective is "to go down there and get a result."

"It’ll be nice to not be kind of the favorite heading into this game for once," Hackworth said.

Social Hour

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What We're Reading

In case you missed the news late Wednesday night, Louisville finally received the long-expected notice of inquiry from the NCAA regarding an investigation into the pay-to-play scandal.

Congratulations (again) to Louisville's three women's basketball seniors, Asia Durr, Sam Fuehring and Arica Carter, who were all selected in the WNBA draft.

Louisville's V.J. King is testing the NBA draft waters.

The Matt Bevin-Jeff Walz beef has reached prime level.

Louisville City FC made a historic signing with the addition of 16-year-old Elijah Wynder, the club's first Academy player.

Justin Sayers: 502-582-4252; jsayers@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/justins.