While Louisville City FC hasn't had great results against FC Cincinnati this season, its attendance has.

Louisville City FC (10-4-5) is seeking to continue one trend and abolish the other when it hosts FC Cincinnati (8-7-7) in this season's final installment of the River Cities Cup on Saturday at Louisville Slugger Field.

It will be just four weeks removed from Louisville City's last meeting with FC Cincinnati, a 3-2 defeat — Louisville City's first home loss in nearly a year — in front of a record crowd.

Louisville City hopes for a similar fan turnout this weekend, but with three points attached. Louisville City has yet to beat its rival in three games this season, including a U.S. Open Cup matchup in May. This time out, Louisville City coach James O'Connor said his club will be ready to "sharpen our sword."

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Louisville City heads into the rematch off a 3-1 road loss to the Charlotte Independence, while FC Cincinnati's last league fixture was a 2-2 draw with Orlando City B.

"Well looking at Saturday (against Charlotte), we haven't learned any lessons, and that was the frustrating thing," O'Connor said. "I think the game Saturday for me was very similar to the Cincy home game — a lot of play, a lot of possession and a lot of chances, but a couple of poor goals."

FC Cincinnati is also cruising on momentum after advancing to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, but Louisville City defender Sean Totsch said his teammates are determined to focus on their own momentum.

"We see it as, if anyone's going to beat us, it's ourselves," he said.

Louisville City is expecting an extra boost Saturday from its fans. The club is aiming for a first-time sellout at Louisille Slugger Field with 13,131 fans — roughly 2,000 more than were present for the last FC Cincinnati game.

Louisville City players are taking notice of the increased public interest in the club.

"If I'm wearing a Louisville City shirt or a polo or something, someone comes up and is like, 'Hey, I went to the game last week. You guys are awesome,'" Totsch said. "So that's the coolest part for me, is being around town and seeing the energy and the excitement that people have about the team."

That excitement can serve as a double-edged sword at times. O'Connor and multiple players spoke about the importance of limiting the emotional aspect of the rivalry game, a task complicated by the fact that Louisville City will be seeking to bounce back from the Charlotte loss.

Louisville City has yet to lose back-to-back games this season, and O'Connor said he is confident the club is mentally prepared to keep adjusting accordingly.

"When you get a game like you did last Saturday it's very easy to feel very sorry for yourself because you go out and dominate the game," O'Connor said. "It's easy to come away and go, 'Woe is me,' and that's something that we've spoken to the guys about to make sure we don't actually do that."

IF YOU GO

What: Louisville City FC vs. FC Cincinnati

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Louisville Slugger Field

Tickets: Starting at $15 from www.louisvillecityfc.com/tickets

Sports enterprise reporter Danielle Lerner can be reached at dlerner@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4042.