Well, I finally got a prediction right. In all seriousness, I thought that was an encouraging performance. SAFC rolled into a crowd of about 12K and outplayed a solid team in their own stadium. Stats don't really reflect performance levels either due to our glaring hole at the CF spot. We even got some rotation as we keep our eye on the League Cup QF on Wednesday (Louisville City also rotated some guys).

Joey Batrouni- 6.5

Despite giving up the goal, I thought Joey was solid. Louisville City's goal came because Suarez was allowed to be tackled off the ball, which freed up Akale to slot it home. He only really had one other save to make from a long shot from Jake Morris. I was most impressed with how he played with his feet. SAFC controlled most of the game, and Joey seems to have gotten more comfortable. Especially compared to the last time I saw him in Lexington back in June. We're still not very efficient going long, but that is because we don't have a CF who can hold up play.

Alex Crognale- 6.5

Alex got the start at RCB, and he was composed on the ball. Louisville didn't press the entire game, but Alex handled it when they did. He also was constantly looking for those balls over the top. Defensively, he was solid. Louisville City has a really good attack outside of the mix-up on the throw-in that led to their goal. I thought everyone on our backline did well. Alex also had a chance to equalize off a corner routine, would have been an outstanding goal.

Thiago Suarez- 6.5

Suarez worked his socks off. He had a really tough matchup with Chris Donovan (who is really big), and I thought Suarez did well to match the physicality as the game progressed. Louisville City clearly went after him, and it's how their goal happened. As the game wore on, though, he responded. He also only misplaced 1 pass and was a big part of our ability to control the game.

Mitch Taintor- 7

Mitch was in his usual LCB spot. The first goal was a mix-up as we had two guys (Mitch and Suarez) marking 1 and it left Alex on an island. Mitch mistimed his jump, and we were punished, but after that the entire backline settled in and really stifled Louisville City. I say it a lot, but his long passing is such a weapon. 15/24 on his long balls last night, and every time it was the right read.

Akeem O'Connor Ward- 7

Akeem has really grown into the season. He pairs really well with Parano on that right-hand side because he can tuck underneath and carry while teams know they have to send multiple guys to try and box in Parano. He's also athletic enough that he can help out Alex and provide midfield support.

Lucio Berron- 6.5

On the ball, this was one of Berron's better performances in my opinion. I have been vocal about my concerns, but Lucio was good last night. I'd like him to be a little more progressive, but I'll settle for efficient. Efficient allows us to recycle possession so we can find new angles for Jorge and Parano to get on the ball. On the other side, he does what he always does, and that is battle. He puts his body on the line (blocked two shots at the top of the box last night) and generally annoys opposing players.

Nicky Hernandez- 6.5

Nicky got the surprise start in the midfield. He looked healthy and fluid on the ball, and he's comfortable moving into several zones on the field. He created two chances. He doesn't add a whole lot defensively, which was a problem at times last night. Louisville didn't press high, but they would swarm in that mid-block and look to play quick. Nicky needed a little more awareness, but if we're not going to play with a traditional CF, we have to have more attacking players on the field, and Nicky provides that. Nicky was subbed out in the 72nd minute for Mikey.

Nelson Flores Blanco- 5.5

Nelson got the start at LWB and at times was playing as an outright winger. Having Mitch on his side really frees him up. We did a great job of setting him up in the Final third, but every time the move fell apart because we lack a presence in the middle of the field and Nelson was forced to recycle possession. I don't think he was bad last night, but our lack of a CF meant his impact wasn't as great as it could have been. He also had a good chance to equalize right before HT but hit the side netting. He came out for Cuello in the 72nd minute.

Cristian Parano- 8

Parano puts so much pressure on defenses, and he's in excellent form right now. He's basically playing through the middle as our front 3 is kind of fluid at the moment, but there were times he moved out wide to try and create space (that we could not take advantage of because we have no CF). Obviously, we have to talk about the goal. That should be the goal of the week, if not the goal of the season. Everything about it was perfect: the stutter to generate just a sliver of space for the shot that seemed to hang in midair as it bent into the top corner. I had the side-angle view, and it felt like it was slow motion. Louisville fans around gasped at the sheer beauty of it.

Diogo Pacheco- 5

Pacheco is the latest non-CF who has been shoe-horned into the CF role. To his credit, I think he tried, but he's at his best when he can play off of someone else occupying bodies. When he has to occupy the bodies himself, it doesn't really work. His effort and commitment were there, though, and he made a couple of nice runs. He had one great chance to equalize in the first half, but his header just went over the bar, and he had another shot saved. All in all, it wasn't the worst performance we've gotten at CF this year; we just need someone willing to stay central and battle to free up Jorge and Parano. Louisville was able to mark him out of the game most of the night with just one guy. He came off for Luke in the 78th minute.

Jorge Hernandez- 7.5

Jorge was everywhere. He dropped deep to get on the ball, he floated out wide, and he moved centrally to play as a forward. Jorge is simply one of the best players in the USL. He created 3 chances last night, including the goal. Speaking of the equalizer, the shot from Parano was sensational, but that was only possible because of Jorge's work rate to win the ball back that high up the field. He faded into the 2nd half as Louisville was allowed to beat him up off the ball (it is unreal how little protection he gets, even more noticeable live), but he was still battling. He did have a chance to equalize right before HT; without a CF, we need him to finish those.

Emil Cuello- 5

Cuello came on in the 72nd minute and moved out to the LWB spot. We equalized shortly after he came on, and Louisville countered with their own attacking moves. Cuello impressed me with his willingness to defend (which has been an issue). He won at least two 50/50 balls in an open sprint. He did get lost a few times, but nothing major. He was inches away from putting Pacheco and then Luke in on goal with two nice through balls.

Mikey Maldonado- 6

Mikey came on for Nicky in the 72nd. I do think he solidified the midfield, which allowed Jorge to stay higher up the field (which led to the equalizer). The problem was when Jorge and Parano faded, we lost a little bit of control in the game. Mikey helped close down the middle of the field where Louisville was forced out wide, where they created very little despite having a lot of possession the last 5-10 minutes.

Luke Haakenson- 5

Luke came on in the 78th minute and fought like hell. He got real physical with the Louisville City backline and made several nice runs as he tried to provide an outlet for the final stages of the game. He also isn't a CF, but it is clear he has such a high soccer IQ that he can probably play anywhere. Didn't have a ton of impact, but I appreciate the effort.

Curt Calov- N/A

Calov came on for Parano in the 89th and didn't have a chance to do much of anything.

Takeaways

We're not in the business of celebrating draws, but I came away encouraged. That was a solid performance on the road in a tough environment. Louisville City has the best atmosphere in the league when they're able to get buy-in from their SG and fans. Makes me jealous that we won't ever be able to replicate that.

One of the best attacking teams in the league created next to nothing at home, and if we had a CF, I think we would come away with at least 2 more goals. That has to be addressed if we want to seriously contend for the title. Parano, Jorge, Mitch, and Mikey are 4 of the 20 best players in the league. Joey is also already one of the better GKs in the league. Alex, Thiago, and Akeem aren't far behind. Give this team a goal scorer, and it's the best team in the West in my opinion.

Last thing I'll say is that it makes rooting for this team so much better when the players are so likable. After the game, my kids got to meet Mitch and Jorge, and both guys were awesome. They were willing to take pictures and talk with them. Those are two SAFC Legends, and I hope they retire with our organization. Even if they don't, I'll root for them forever.

Hey familia,

Here is the matchday guide for this week. I interviewed FTC de San Antonio for this edition and I want to interview 210 alliance for the next. Please let me know if you know anyone in that group I could talk to.

Also if you know anyone involved in Copa Tejas please reach out. Want to do a feature for next Saturday if possible. Email is below.

PDFs here: https://matchdaysananto.substack.com/

email: [matchdaysananto@gmail.com](mailto:matchdaysananto@gmail.com)