Nicholas Murray USL Louisville City FC 2, Real Monarchs SLC 1

“History hasn’t been kind to visiting sides in the USL Championship Final, and while there’s a lot to like about what Real Monarchs SLC bring to the table in talent and experience, it’s hard to overlook Louisville’s postseason pedigree when it comes to Sunday’s first meeting between the clubs.



And, what’s more, this isn’t just a postseason thing. After the calendar has turned to August 1 over the past four seasons, LouCity has racked up a record across the regular season and postseason of 43-7-15 with a +82-goal differential. This year alone that record is 12-1-3 with 37 goals for and 17 goals against.



So, it happens again. Brian Ownby scores his first USL Championship Final goal inside the first 15 minutes for the earliest goal in Championship Final history, and Antoine Hoppenot adds a second early in the second half to give the hosts a comfortable lead. The Monarchs pull one back through Maikel Chang inside the final 20 minutes, but the hosts hold on to lift the silverware for an unprecedented third time.”

Jeff Rueter The Athletic Louisville City FC 3, Real Monarchs SLC 1

“It's worth appreciating how unlikely this matchup looked ahead of the USL Championship postseason. Both four-seeds had pretty difficult paths to the final. For Louisville, it meant hosting a dangerous Tampa Bay Rowdies side, going on the road to knock off a previously impenetrable Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defense, and clawing back in stoppage time to overcome hosting Indy Eleven. Real's Conference Final may have been easier against No. 6 seed El Paso Locomotive FC, but beating presumptive postseason favorite Phoenix Rising FC at their friendly confine was going to be far from easy. It's a final that showcases two clubs that have gone about their construction in very different ways. It should be a well-balanced contest.



From an outsider perspective, Tuesday saw Louisville go from relying on home-field advantage for an edge to being an overwhelming favorite. Why? The late-match antics of Monarchs attacker Douglas Martínez, who earned a suspension for the Championship Final by headbutting and open-hand slapping El Paso Locomotive FC opponents. That act of losing his cool results in his team entering Sunday without its most dangerous attacker. For a Louisville side that hasn't allowed more than a single goal in each of their first three playoff matchups, their defensive scouting has gotten easier than expected (if I had to guess who scores for Real, it's Jack Blake via free kick). I think John Hackworth could be on the verge of a three-peat — and with a new stadium on the horizon, who knows how long their reign could endure.”

John Arlia USL Real Monarchs SLC 1, Louisville City FC 0