By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC defeated San Antonio FC 1-0 on Saturday night in front of a lively Lynn Family Stadium crowd — 11,589 strong, which cheered the boys in purple on in a rematch of last season’s USL Championship Final.
Saturday’s clash had a completely different feel compared to that final won by San Antonio. The deciding goal was found in the 23rd minute when LouCity striker Wilson Harris, making a run to the near post, met Enoch Mushagalusa’s cross by making a snapping header that sailed the ball over SAFC goalkeeper Jordan Farr and into the side-netting of the back post. LouCity then, along with pushing for a cushion goal, defended honorably for the ensuing 80 minutes, limiting its opponent to just two shots on goal.
“The atmosphere tonight was incredible,” LouCity head coach Danny Cruz said about the energy inside Lynn Family Stadium. “It made a difference, especially in important moments. [It was] a collective performance from the group and a lot to be proud of and a lot to build on. We talked about in the locker room about inspiring tonight — about not taking a moment for granted.”
Saturday’s contest could eventually turn into a playoff precursor, as the two USL Championship juggernauts have both been given favorable odds to win their respective conferences. San Antonio, undefeated this season entering Saturday, looked the more dominant side in last year’s final against a LouCity team riddled with injuries. But Saturday proved to be a solid and organized effort from front to back in Cruz’s squad.
Solid Semmle
A preseason LouCity signing, rookie goalkeeper Oliver Semmle has put the league on notice. The German shot stopper hasn’t allowed a goal in all four of his games in purple — three USL Championship matches, plus a U.S. Open Cup contest. Against San Antonio, Semmle came up big again.
In the fourth minute, Semmle dove to his left to deny the opponent an early lead after a breakaway scare. Playing the role of sweeper-keeper, the 25-year-old made a bold diving header outside his box to clear his lines in the 60th minute. In the 93rd minute, Semmle dove for a save just as crucial as his first, reaching low to stave off a dipping SAFC long shot.
Semmle’s assertiveness against San Antonio allowed his back line to trust his decision making and communication. On multiple occasions, Semmle called off his center backs in order to collect the ball and climbed to high heights to punch or catch corner-kicks and crosses.
Divide and conquer
While in possession against SAFC, LouCity was able to open up wide swaths of space by packing one side of the field and threatening an overload, then quickly switching the point of attack to the far side.
Oftentimes, City winger Brian Ownby would drive down the right touchline, appearing intent on getting a cross off, but would then cut the ball back onto his left side and would either play a direct long ball or use the midfield to switch the play. A well-positioned Mushagalusa was then able to exploit his pace to run at San Antonio defenders.
Building up to the go-ahead goal, Mushagalusa received the ball on the left wing. As he dribbled at a defender, Amadou Dia made an underlapping run into the box. This crucial run forced a San Antonio midfielder — whose positioning was preventing Mushagalusa from crossing with his right foot — to track Dia, opening up the space for the assist into Harris.
What we learned
LouCity showed that its woes against El Paso Locomotive and Sacramento Republic in previous weeks were not indicative of the squad’s ability to contend with some of the best teams in the USL Championship.
Additionally, Harris’s offensive potency is a welcome addition after the 23-year-old missed the opening four games of LouCity’s 2023 campaign through injury. Harris has now scored two goals in two games, both being game-deciding blows to the opposition.
On Saturday, Harris not only showed an offensive vigor, but also a stellar defensive work rate when out of possession. For his efforts on the night, Harris was awarded Man of the Match.
“When I look at the work that he puts in day in and day out, when I look at his growth since he’s been here at the club, he deserves all the credit in the world,” Cruz said about Harris’ heroics. “We asked a lot of him tonight. When you look at who applied most of the pressure, it was Wilson. He was asked to do a ton of work, and not only did he do it defensively, he scored a goal.”
Although questions could be raised about their defensive pairing in LouCity’s 5-0 loss to Sacramento a couple weeks ago, Sean Totsch and Josh Wynder have proven to be LouCity’s rocks at the back. Against San Antonio, the duo combined for four tackles and 14 duels won.
Heading to Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday, San Antonio FC had scored first in all of its league wins so far this season. Totsch and Wynder heavily contributed to nulling this effect by picking up LouCity’s third straight clean sheet in all competitions.
LouCity will travel to take on an in-form Charleston Battery next weekend. The Battery currently lead the Eastern Conference by two points over the boys in purple.
