CINCINNATI – Louisville City FC claimed first blood in the 2018 River Cities Cup as an early goal earned a 1-0 victory against FC Cincinnati before a USL home opener-record 25,667 fans at Nippert Stadium on Saturday night. Louisville’s Kyle Smith had the first good chance in the 10th minute as he forced a low save from FCC goalkeeper Evan Newton from the right side of the penalty area, but three minutes later the visitors struck as Cameron Lancaster shot home from 10 yards. Cincinnati almost equalized in the 25th minute as a great counterattack came to FCC’s Corben Bone, only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Louisville’s Paco Craig. FCC’s Lance Laing also forced a save from Lousiville’s Greg Ranjitsingh with a long-range strike, and Emmanuel Ledesma fired high for the hosts 10 minutes into the second half after a ball fell loose in Louisville’s penalty area, while Louisville’s Magnus Rasmussen just headed wide as both sides continued to look dangerous. Cincinnati’s Danni Konig went close with 12 minutes to go as his header went over the crossbar from eight yards, and after both Dekel Keinan and Justin Hoyte also fired high in the closing stages a late scramble in the penalty area was cleared by Louisville’s defense to preserve a hard-fought victory.

Scoring:
13’ – LOU – Cameron Lancaster (George Davis IV)

• #CINvLOU: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. It was all hands to the pump for Louisville City FC in the second half as the visitors had to absorb pressure from Cincinnati regularly, but the defensive display produced a third consecutive win to start the season for a side that has now recorded three shutouts in three games to start the season. Louisville’s ability to close play down higher up the field also played an important role in the side’s victory, but the ability to bend but not break as the pressure rose was impressive.

• 2. It became clear early that Louisville wanted to try and get Kyle Smith free on the right side regularly and in the 13th minute that early commitment paid off. Smith was able to elude the challenge of FCC’s Blake Smith to get into the penalty area, and while Cincinnati almost recovered defensively to shut down George Davis IV’s initial chance to finish, Cameron Lancaster picked up the scraps and put home a composed finish for his first goal since last year’s USL Cup game-winner.

• 3. Cincinnati grew strongly into the game after conceding early and showed plenty of attacking potential in either half as it sought an equalizer. Louisville’s defense had to scramble at times, including a remarkable goal-line clearance by Paco Craig that kept out a lightning-quick counterattack for the hosts after Corben Bone’s shot had snuck past Louisville goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh. FCC was unable to take advantage of its pressure in the second half, however, as Louisville claimed the upper hand in the first River Cities Cup game of 2018.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Paco Craig, Louisville City FC – Craig was excellent throughout, recording 11 clearances as Cincinnati pressured in the second half, and made a goal-saving play to keep out Corben Bone’s first-half chance.

Upcoming Games:

FC Cincinnati at Bethlehem Steel FC – April 15, 3 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium

Louisville City FC vs. Richmond Kickers – April 14, 7:30 p.m. ET, Slugger Field