Louisville City came into it’s season kick off in El Paso with every reason to feel good about the 2024 season. After a somewhat disappointing 5th place regular season finish last year, followed by a deep run in the playoffs that ended in the semifinals, the club added some significant pieces to the roster and have to expect another great season. Of course, we hadn’t seen a thing until today in El Paso, with the sun shining bright in El Paso.

First five minutes of the match, Louisville was in control, but with little bite in the box, aside from a cross or two that didn’t find a head. For their part, Locomotive was in the same boat, getting chances up the field sporadically but without any luck in the final third. 15 minutes in, starting right back Brandan Craig went down with an ankle knock. Hard to tell how bad it was, but he couldn’t put weight on it and had to be helped off the field. Noah Dollenmayer subbed in for him, but we’ll hear more on his status after the match.

Certainly in a match with chances but without goals, the play of Jhamale Waite has been on display. His kick save on what would have probably been a Dollenmayer own goal was absolutely beautiful. He was leaning the opposite direction, but still managed to get a foot out in the path of the ball and deflect it past the post. Several moments in the first half, Louisville has been moving the ball up the field quickly, efficiently carving up the Locomotive defense, only to watch their shots disappear into Waite’s gloves. He’s been stellar in his first three matches for Locomotive, great offseason pickup.

Last 15 minutes of the first half, we saw El Paso begin to take the match by the reins. Particularly up the left side with Lucas Stauffer. He’s dangerous with the ball at his feet, but like the rest of the attackers, couldn’t find the back of the net. First half ended with no scoring for either side. Second half kicked off with a couple of substitutions for Locomotive, most importantly Justin Dhillon, who had sat out the first half.

Louisville would strike first in the second half, when Sean Totsch would launch a pretty innocuous cross into the box that found the head of Harris in the box. He beat Waite and put the visiting side up 1-0. After the goal, El Paso was clearly the more attacking side, pushing the ball up the field and getting multiple chances. Moreno, Stauffer, and Dhillon all had several chances apiece, but the ball would just not go in the net. Even midfielder Eric Calvillo got a headed chance at the goal, but nothing. In his postmatch interview, Clarhaut focused on the finishing, “at the end of the games when we're down, we need to be more ruthless, put more balls in the box and our finishing needs to be sharper.” Louisville’s keeper, Damian Las, played a part in that, getting several good saves. And that’s how the match ended, 1-0, Louisville winning their opener on the road and Locomotive continuing to struggle, with moments of brightness.

Now winless in three, Locomotive have to solve problems, regardless of the promise. Are they a lump it and get in the air team? Certainly looked like they were trying it at times. Are they a possession team? They certainly looked like they were trying it at times. There’s still so many questions about this club, but the quality of the roster should give them chances to turn it around this young season.

- Dan Vaughn