That was better. Wins usually are. There are still some kinks to iron out in transition defense in my view, but I thought this was a good Louisville City performance. I certainly would have liked to see another goal or two from open play (there were certainly enough chances) but at this point City can be pretty pleased with the three points. Atlanta’s lone goal was perhaps preventable, and I’m sure Paco Craig will be beating himself up a little for deflecting it past Greg, but those things happen. They’ve been happening with greater frequency than usual, but they happen.

Both teams opened up the game with their foot on the floor. City had a two shots, a corner and a free kick in the first ten minutes, while Atlanta had three corners, three shots on target and a goal called back in the same period for offside. Lancaster’s goal wasn’t the result of pretty play, but rather a defensive breakdown when the Two Spikes couldn’t clear a shot from George Davis IV that he easily capitalized on in the 24th minute.

Laurent Kissiedou’s equalizer about five minutes later would have been saved if not for the deflection. Paco Craig did a good job stepping up to Lagos Kunga, who was making a driving run toward the box. Alexis Souahy was trying to occupy space in the center just in case Paco got beat. Devon Sandoval had split Totsch and Alexis with a run, which opened up space for Kissiedou that City was slow to recognize and close down, though Alexis tried. The rest of the defense was on the other side of the play and in no position to shut it down. Kissidou could have laid the ball over to a very open Jon Gallagher, but instead took his shot and made the most of it. Both of Nashville’s goals last week were taken from a similar spot. Transition defense is still something City needs to work on, as there were a couple other looks like this on the night. They aren’t high-percentage chances, but there should probably never be five purple shirts inside the D on a counter-attack.

The second half was an exercise in frustration, as it looked like Atlanta might take another point from City. That was in spite of City having an enormous amount of good chances to score – twelve, according to Opta – while Atlanta was juuuuust hanging on. ATL had just two touches in City’s 18 yard box in the second half, while City peppered the Atlanta goal with eleven shots, four on target. Then, Luke Spencer was taken down in the box in stoppage time, Ilic’s winning penalty was well taken, and that, thankfully, was that.

City passed the ball much better in this game, hitting almost 80% total and a respectable 66% in Atlanta’s half. Again, passing and possession aren’t necessarily meaningful statistics, but usually City passes the ball really well in games they win. City took 26 shots, which is a ton, and had seventeen inside the box. That all sounds amazing until you realize there were just six on target, and only one went in from open play. Atlanta was much more clinical in that they had just five shots, but forced Ranjitsingh into two saves and got a goal.

I think Alexis is coming along pretty well. He’s playing a lot more than anyone probably anticipated due to the injury bug, of course, but I think he gets better every game. He’s obviously an imposing physical presence, but the early knock on him was passing and decision making. I think he’s improved a lot on both fronts, and did a pretty good job in this contest. Paco and Totsch both looked like they were back to being mostly themselves. Both passed really well and got involved in the attack at certain points without causing too much concern with counter attacks. I love seeing Totsch make a driving run up the middle with the ball, mostly because opposing defenses almost never expect it, and he usually makes the most of his appearances in the opposition half.

The wings both did very well, too. Kyle Smith actually showed off some flair in the first half, and had a two or three good chances to score. Oscar had a shot on target and created eight (EIGHT) chances himself. Paolo and Speedy did fine, though I think PdP is still a little out of rhythm. He didn’t do anything wrong, just not quite up to the sterling standard he set for himself in the first six or so games this season.

Cuatro was probably very glad to be playing in the attack again, and turned in one of his best games of the season. He didn’t do much to light up the stat sheet, but certainly looked more comfortable up front and kept the left side of Atlanta’s defense busy. Cam Lancaster made the most of his chances, and Niall McCabe had a very good passing game, also. Luke Spencer made the centerbacks’ lives hell once he came on, and probably should have scored once or twice – he had three shots on target in about 35 minutes. Ilic and MAG RAM didn’t do a ton in their appearances, but Ilija hit the net when it mattered, and brought home the three points.

We don’t have time to rest on this one, of course. St. Louis is coming to town for the Open Cup on Wednesday at Lynn Stadium, and then the boys trek up I-71 to face The Worst for the second time this season. Let’s get ’em.