March 16, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Louisville City FC News Release
Wilson Harris of Louisville City FC
(Louisville City FC, Credit: Andres Acosta)
Wilson Harris reached a significant personal milestone Saturday while helping Louisville City FC to a victory in the club’s 10th anniversary season opener.
Harris headed in a 57th-minute Sean Totsch cross that propelled LouCity to a 1-0 victory at El Paso Locomotive FC. It marked the striker’s 50th career USL Championship goal, at 24 years old making him the youngest player to the half-century mark in league history.
Defensively, LouCity goalkeeper Damian Las made six saves while pitching shutout at Southwest University Park, a purpose-built baseball field that serves as the Locomotive’s home.
“I thought it was a bit of an ugly game,” said coach Danny Cruz. “The field here’s not great. The size of the field makes it that way, but I was extremely proud of the bite of the group. We talked a ton about making sure that when we go back and watch the game that you see a group that was relentless – and that when people are watching back home, they look at it and say that group is relentless. I certainly felt that way.
“…If we have that mentality, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Harris’ goal arrived just as it looked like the sides could settle for a scoreless afternoon. Shots on target were tame to that point, with the best look from either club a 29th-minute near miss for the boys in purple. Harris put a cross in that a defender got his foot to first, and El Paso goalkeeper Jahmali Waite needed a kick save at the near post to prevent an own goal.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, City took advantage on the other side of the half. Totsch played a ball in from the right side, and Harris flicked in a header that stood as the game winner. Las later stood tall to deny an El Paso equalizer in the 71st minute when getting a paw on Amando Moreno’s rocketed shot from the top of the box.
“It’s something I’ve been chasing,” Harris said of the 50-goal mark. “I was a little disappointed not to get it last year, but I couldn’t ask for a better start this year. I’m really excited about that but also excited about three points with this group of players right now.
“It was a pretty chippy game both halves. In the second half, we wanted to raise the energy a bit, and I just saw Totsch on a good run. I knew he was going to beat his man when he got the ball first, and I was just trying to be in the area to find his…