As I mentioned yesterday, this wasn’t exactly a well-played game of soccer, by either team. A look at some of the numbers bears that out. However, If there was ever a game that could persuade you that simple soccer statistics are worthless, this is one.

• Cincy won the possession battle, won more duels, especially in the air, had more shots, way more passes, more interceptions, and more corner kicks. Five corners isn’t much to fuss about, to be fair.
• Neither team had a shot on target in the second half. That’s more of a credit to City’s defense, as Cincy had quite a bit more of the ball during that period.
• Cincinnati played in 43 crosses in the game, which was silly given that their center forward isn’t really a number 9, hold-up type player. What’s sillier is that they KEPT DOING IT ALL GAME LONG.
• 44 clearances for Louisville City. That’s a lot.
• Morados only won half their tackles.

I think the bigger story of this game was the tactical setup. Cincinnati started pretty hot, but settled down after the first five minutes. That’s when Louisville City really took the game over and generated two or three chances, culminating in Lancaster’s goal. After that, Morados didn’t exactly pack up and park the bus, but the tenor of the game plan definitely changed. Cincy tried to use their width to spray in balls from the wings, but they weren’t getting to anyone. For some reason, they never abandoned this tactic. To be fair, Paolo DelPiccolo and Speedy Williams had the center of midfield mostly locked down. Kyle Smith and Oscar played much narrower than I’m used to seeing, ostensibly to offer some support to the central mids and to dissuade Cincy from trying to play up the middle. Oscar’s average field position was basically on the center circle.

It worked. Cincy was only ever truly dangerous on counterattacks or when City dedicated one or two too many bodies forward in their spells of possession in the opposing half. That includes the miraculous goal line clearance from Paco Craig in the first half. Otherwise, Cincy pretty much did exactly what O’Connor wanted, and never changed course, even if they did try a formation change with about a half hour to go.

Some individual notes:

• Mag Ram definitely had an influence on the game and was very dangerous in attack. I don’t think he was necessarily clicking on all cylinders, however. A few more games under his belt, though, and watch out.
• I didn’t feel like Cuatro played all that great, but then I looked to see he created four chances in the game before being subbed off. Shows what I know.
• Speedy got the start and completed 92% of his passes. He had two very nice seeing-eye balls that I wish had come to more.
• Paolo was 82%, also very good, and I thought really had control of the middle of the park.
• The back line all played really well and played near mistake-free soccer in defense.
• Ilija should’ve scored!

It was a win against a wealthy team that was previously un-scored-upon and undefeated with Brian Ownby on the bench, Luke Spencer not even in the 18, and other players battling some small injuries. Take those three points and laugh all the way to the bank.