By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC defeated El Paso Locomotive FC away from home, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon in LouCity’s opening match of the 2024 campaign — an ideal start as the boys in purple hunt a third star over their crest.
LouCity forward Wilson Harris nodded home his team’s first goal of the season after getting on the end of a lofted cross from veteran defender Sean Totsch. Harris glanced the header out of the El Paso goalkeeper’s reach for the 24-year-old’s 50th league goal, making him the fastest player to reach the half-century mark in USL Championship history.
“It’s something I’ve been chasing,” Harris said of the record. “I couldn’t ask for a better start this year. I’m excited for [reaching 50 goals] but I’m just as excited for getting three points with this group of players.”
“I was extremely proud of the fight from the group,” added LouCity head coach Danny Cruz after the win. “We talked a ton about making sure that when we go back and watch this game that you see a group that was relentless. I certainly felt that way. I was proud of the press. I thought our center backs, for the most part, did a good job winning their individual battles. There’s some work to do, but if we’re going to have that mentality, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
In LouCity’s third match last season, El Paso came to Lynn Family Stadium and put three goals past the boys in purple without conceding. This time around, however, LouCity looked to be in control of the game even without the majority of possession.
A clear game plan
Even after a long offseason and with many moving parts to the team, including six new players in the starting lineup, LouCity looked connected throughout the match. Cruz, starting his fourth season in charge, seemed to have a clear game plan—press high and force mistakes from the opposition.
In the first 15 minutes of the game, 50% of action happened in Locomotive’s own third. This pressure forced El Paso to play quicker than comfortable and allowed LouCity to take five shots within the first 30 minutes, compared to El Paso’s one. In the 29th minute, new LouCity signing Jake Morris won the ball in El Paso’s half and slid a perfect through ball to Harris, who crossed it low and dangerously to the middle of the box where Locomotive almost conceded an own goal.
Additionally, City made 10 interceptions in just the first half, which kept Locomotive FC on its heels without much opportunity to get numbers forward when a counterattack was sprung. In the 71st minute, El Paso got forward quickly on the counterattack, where Locomotive striker Amando Moreno got a good shot off, forcing a fantastic save out of LouCity’s goalkeeper Damian Las, who is on loan from Major League Soccer’s Austin FC. While Moreno did get a shot on goal, El Paso being forced to play deep due to City’s pressure prevented Locomotive from creating a better chance with more numbers closer to LouCity’s goal.
Part of last year’s game plan was to feed fullbacks Amadou Dia and Manny Perez, who were extremely efficient at getting forward and crossing the ball into dangerous areas. Against El Paso on Saturday, with Perez off to Europe and Dia unavailable due to injury, Morris and Totsch filled those shoes.
Morris, who joined this offseason from the Columbus Crew, recorded one chance created, three crosses, and won possession six times against Locomotive FC. Totsch, usually seen at center back, appeared to play a portion of the game out wide, where he grabbed the assist for City’s lone goal, put a shot on goal, and had 11 final third entries, second-best on the pitch. Totsch played every minute of every regular season game last year for the second time in his career and will be looking to remain a stalwart in City’s defense.
New partnerships, same goals
Saturday marked LouCity’s first game of the club’s 10th anniversary season. City has made a run to at least the Eastern Conference Final every year of the club’s existence — an unprecedented feat. Only three players remain from City’s 2017 and 2018 title-winning teams, yet a whole host of new players look ready to fight for the badge with the same goal of going all the way.
Against El Paso, new on-pitch partnerships looked to be forming. Last year’s defender of the year and new City addition, Arturo Ordoñez, and center back Kyle Adams looked cohesive and dominant at the heart of LouCity’s defense. The pair combined for four interceptions, seven clearances, and 10 duels won. Adams also wore the captain’s armband against El Paso, a role that was previously occupied by the recently retired Paolo DelPiccolo.
“Wearing the armband for me is special, especially at a club like this,” Adams said about his new role. “We came out of there with three points. It doesn’t always have to be pretty. We just have to get the job done. Also, all of the new guys were incredible. They’ve adjusted well. It’s a different system. Not many teams play the way we play — the way we press.”
Along the wing, Totsch and Jansen Wilson linked up several times. Totsch played Wilson into space six times against Locomotive and even fed Wilson the ball before the new signing dribbled past two El Paso defenders and put a threatening shot on goal from the top of the box in the 32nd minute.
With veteran winger Brian Ownby out for the foreseeable future due to injury, Ray Serrano’s role will likely expand. The winger was impactful against Locomotive FC, creating two chances, three shots, and 14 passes into the final third — all of which were team highs. Serrano will be partnering with some new faces in the midfield this campaign with the offseason additions of Adrien Perez and Taylor Davila.
LouCity will look to carry its momentum into next weekend’s home opener against Pittsburgh Riverhounds, trying to collect another three points on its march to a third league title.