
By Andrew Bell
Louisville City FC’s march for a third USL Championship title began Saturday night with a 1-0 win over Atlanta United 2 in a freezing, goal-to-goal game at Lynn Family Stadium. Atlanta United 2 kept the boys in purple scoreless in the first 45 minutes but couldn’t suppress coach Danny Cruz’s team any further in the second. Wilson Harris — the 22-year-old signing from Sporting Kansas City — netted the campaign’s first goal in the 70th minute after firing the ball low across his body, with the opposing goalkeeper unable to handle it.
LouCity entered this game having gone 1-1-2 in it public preseason games, most recently falling to St. Louis City FC in a game when top striker Cameron Lancaster picked up a hamstring injury. With tuneups done, Cruz laid out his goals for the team to open last week: versatility in playing a few different formations, high pressing and starting the season with three points. That’s what the boys in purple achieved in front of 8,318 shivering fans.
“You always want to start the season on the front foot,” said LouCity midfielder Corben Bone. “We gain momentum. We gain confidence. So it’s a good first step [winning the opener].”
Standout signings
Of LouCity’s 12 new signings this season, five started: forwards Wilson Harris and Jorge Gonzalez; defender Amadou Dia; goalkeeper Kyle Morton; and Manny Perez, a versatile type who played on the right side.
Gonzalez, who was on loan to LouCity last season, combined with Harris for 11 shots. Enoch Mushagalusa, who had just come off a breakout season for Sporting KC II with 12 goal contributions, came on in the 60th minute and cleverly assisted Harris by laying the ball off at the top of the box.
“I think the most important thing for us was to stay patient and trust our game,” Harris said. “The guys in the back did a great job holding it down and getting the clean sheet. I was really happy with my debut.”
While Josh Wynder isn’t among those new signings, the 16-year-old out of LouCity’s academy looks primed for a larger role in his first full professional season. Getting the start at center back, Wynder racked up three interceptions, a pair of fouls won and contributed strongly to the clean sheet.
The shutout didn’t come easily, though. Morton, newly installed between the posts for LouCity, came up with a crucial save in the 22nd minute when United 2 forward Jackson Conway broke through the purple back line, firing a shot the goalkeeper shut down with a quick reaction save to his right.
What we learned
Cruz touched on moments of defensive shakiness against Atlanta United 2, stating, “We struggled with some balls in behind sometimes.” Last season, Cruz almost never strayed away from a 4-back formation, while this year a 3-back system will be in play. As with anything, it may take a period of adjustment in the regular season for LouCity to fully adapt, so winning 50-50 balls will be crucial to maintaining momentum away from their own goal.
LouCity numbered 23 shots on the night. Of those, 7 were on target, exceeding Atlanta’s shot total of 6. Expected goals were skewed in favor of the home side, 1.71 to 0.27. With LouCity’s talisman striker Lancaster out, Cruz said the final touch from others will have to be better.
“I know we needed to close the game out with another goal,” he said. “There were some good opportunities that I felt we needed to finish.”
The coach also praised LouCity’s veterans for stepping up and welcoming the younger signings. While the players provide freshness and energy, the vets are the foundation on which LouCity looks to be gearing up for another trophy chase in 2022.
“We still have so much room for growth,” Cruz said in closing. “As everybody continues to get on the same page and we get all cylinders firing, I walk away from this game very excited about what this season holds.”