SAFC vs. Lexington SC: Preview

SAFC stays on the road this week, traveling to Kentucky to take on Lexington for the 2nd (and likely last) time this season. Lexington is currently sitting in 11th in the West, but just 1 point behind a playoff spot and only 4 points off of 4th place. In the first meeting, SAFC won 2-0 with goals from Jorge and Erofeev.

Starting XI

Batrouni

Crognale-Taintor-Barbir

O'Connor Ward-Maldonado-Berron-Cuello

Erofeev-Patino-Jorge

No reason not to have a strong lineup, but I'm assuming Suarez is still out injured. If that changes, I'd start him instead of Barbir.

Maldonado/Berron have been a solid pairing in that midfield, so I wouldn't change it. Especially with Parano likely still out injured and Erofeev needing to play higher up the field. I'm bringing Patino back in the lineup. We need a CF who is scoring goals, and I'd give him 45 minutes to take back the job.

Opposition Analysis

The underlying metrics for Lexington have improved since we last played them, while the results have remained erratic. Most recently in USL play, they went on the road and beat El Paso 4-1; El Paso did finish the game with 9 men. If we remember back in March, they had several stretches where they outplayed us.

They want the ball, as they average about 53% possession this season and are 7th in the league for touches in the opposition box. They do struggle to turn that possession and touches into goals. Their leading goal-scorer is a DM in Aaron Molloy, which should tell you all you need to know. They do have Marcus Epps, and while still dangerous, he's a far cry from the player who was with us in 2021. Latif Blessing and Nick Firmino are solid USL attackers. Their striker, Goodrum, has struggled since moving from Louisville City, but he's shown signs with 2 goals in his last 3 appearances.

Defensively, Lexington will press our back line, so we'll need to be ready for that to avoid giving them easy chances. Old friend Kendall Burks anchors their backline. He's a very good USL CB, but our movement could give him trouble.

Prediction

I'll be in attendance for this one as it's just a 45-minute drive for me. I was there last year for the dramatic 3-2 comeback win, but hopefully this won't be as nervy. I'm going to say we win 2-1. I've been to three games in Lexington, and the crowds are usually sleepy, so I don't anticipate an especially hostile crowd.

I'll say Patino finally gets off the mark and Jorge closes it out.