(Photo: EM Dash Photography)

With their playoff fate finally secured, Louisville City FC now aims to lock down the best possible seed over their final three regular season matches, beginning with a trip to New Mexico United on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET from Isotopes Park.

Currently, fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, LouCity is level on points with fourth-place Memphis 901 FC but trails on tiebreakers. As a result, City is still jockeying for that final home playoff seed which goes to the top four teams in each conference.

“Our goal now is to move up the table and ensure we can host a playoff game,” said defender Sean Totsch. “We know how important that home-field advantage is.” 

After a disheartening loss at Miami FC followed by a nervy playoff-clinching win at Loudoun, coach Danny Cruz has been pleased to see his side’s form stabilize.

“I think we’ve found our rhythm at the right time,” Cruz remarked. “Now it’s about maintaining that focus and consistency.”

Finding the net has not been a problem of late, with City scoring in six straight matches. Wilson Harris, in particular, is red hot having equaled the club record by scoring in four consecutive games.  

Saturday’s opponent New Mexico sits 11th in the West but remains in contention for a playoff spot just four points out of the cut line. They figure to be a problematic foe especially at home, where they regularly draw five-figure crowds.

Cruz will also prioritize rotating his squad with another road test looming next weekend. But LouCity is determined to keep their foot on the gas with seeding scenarios still fluid.

Having finally punched their postseason ticket, the boys in purple now aim to be playing their best soccer when it matters most. These final games represent a dress rehearsal for the challenges ahead.

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