As I sat on the plane home from Rhode Island writing this edition of Pitchside, I found myself making a last-minute change in strategy. Initially, I planned to focus this piece on process-driven analysis—sharing data on recent performances and offering context on our season as a whole.
However, last Sunday’s game changed that. We out-possessed the opponent, played out from the back, opted for technicality over physicality, and ultimately left with a point in a game in which we arguably deserved more. A 90-minute summary of the previous 31 games.
A less inspiring style of play may have yielded better results for LUFC in 2024, but I genuinely believe this is a style that will see us attract talented players to the club in years to come, as well as get the best out of our current group heading into the 2025 season.
All of us here at Loudoun United are working to build something sustainable with a solid foundation.
In last month’s Pitchside, I referenced a playoff feel to our recent games. Behind the scenes after the loss to Indy, I challenged the players to be more selfish. We have an incredible group of humans on our team, who are arguably too nice at times. That may not feel like a compliment, but it is. My exact words were, “Nobody’s going to give it to you. There are no points awarded for having the nicest style of play. You have to take it.”
Indy came to Segra and took three points home off a set-piece goal in a game where we possessed the majority of the ball. Again. That same story played out in Rhode Island—dominance on the ball but we came home with a 0-0 draw.
We’ve been unlucky, too. Our expected goals (xG) metrics suggest we should have found the back of the net more often. For those unfamiliar with xG, it’s a reliable measure of a team’s long-term success. Those shots we’re taking should have resulted in more goals.
Now, with two games left, we face a pivotal moment. On Saturday, we host Pittsburgh in a match that, while not technically a playoff game, feels every bit like one.
I referenced pressure being a privilege last month and we have the opportunity to deliver the biggest win in club history, in the biggest game in club history, in front of our fans.
I’ve asked before, and I’m asking again: we need your support. This is a rallying call. Bring the noise, bring the smoke, bring the drums. Bring your friends, neighbors, your youth soccer teams—anyone who can help push us across the finish line and make playoff soccer a reality.
If you’ve ever braved a rainy midweek game, stayed up late to watch us play on the West Coast, or traveled to Pittsburgh to cheer us on, you deserve this moment. And I promise, the boys feel the energy when Segra is full, fun, and loud.
Let’s do this together. United, as one club.
– Olly Gage, Director of Soccer
