Lexington SC 1 - Lou City 2 As It Happened

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Commonwealth Cup II

Pre-match hyperbole in the stadium characterized the battle for the Commonwealth Cup something like the “best” or “most heated” or “most hotly contested” rivalry in the USL. That seems a bit much for a rivalry that is just about to kick off only its fourth iteration. However, there has been much anticipation for the USL Championship’s first match of the season. There are plenty of storylines, but the most prominent was likely Lexington’s offseason spending and their acquisition of Phil Goodrum. Splashing around lots of cash make me think of Manchester City and I am sure that is who Lexington would like to mimic. I will rate how they look on a scale of Nottingham Forest to Man City once the match is over.

I expect Lexington to set up to counter and have around 40% possession. We will see how close I am.

Lou City lined up as:

30-Troutman, 3-Morris, 4-Totsch, 5-Dayes, 6-Duncan, 8-T Davila, 14-Showunmi, 15-Perez, 21 Huerman, 25-Wilson, 32-Adams (C)

1st Minute

A nice show of solidarity from the players in reaction to the ongoing labor dispute by having a minute of inaction. Lexington SC stadium staff seemed unprepared for this as music played over what should have been a solemn moment. I will chalk it up as a mistake instead of something more sinister and insulting from the owners.

2nd Minute

Goodrum does a good job of closing down Adams and his long kick goes errant.

3rd Minute

This time Adam's connects on his pass, but Morris can't quite bring it down.

5th Minute

Davila demonstrates some good control, but his attempted pass out wide goes long and out for a goal kick.

7th Minute

Wilson’s shot is deflected and just goes wide.

9th Minute

Huerman's speculative effort goes tremendously askew. The horn player in the Lexington supporter’s end plays a hilarious “wah wah wah” to mock him. I giggle a little. Lou City needs this in the Cooper’s end.

12th Minute

Lexington has a shot that goes just wide on a nice counter.

17th Minute

Duncan picks up a yellow for a late challenge.

18th Minute

Goal. Lexington caps off a nice break when another big offseason addition, Molloy, drills in a rocket from distance. It was a really fine effort, but one you might have pictured Las making a heroic save on. To be fair, Troutman doesn’t see the shot coming through the sea of players in front of him, so he really isn’t to blame.

Lexington 1 - Lou City 0

22nd Minute

Wilson hits the post after a corner on a fine effort.

24th Minute

A Lexington player misses an easy header that could have put Lou City in real danger.

34th Minute

Lou City is having a good amount of possession but not doing much with it.

37th Minute

Dayes misses a golden opportunity for a header from the corner delivery.

43rd Minute

Showunmi misses a good chance at a header from another corner.

Halftime

Lex 1 Lou City 0

This is playing out very much like a first match of the season. Nothing is very fluid, but since Lexington has set up to counter quickly, it has given them the advantage.

46th Minute

Three changes at half: Lambert, Akale and Donovan for Duncan, Huerman and Showunmi.

50th Minute

Lexington comes out of the locker room the sharper team in the first 5 minutes as Lou City’s subs find their legs.

52nd Minute

GOAL! Akale shows his class and skill as he scores on a nice dribble and finish that just tucks into the right corner of the Lexington goal.

Lexington 1 - Lou City 1

54th Minute

A quick fire shot flashes just wide of the Lou City goal.

65th Minute

Lou City still having most of the possession, but Lexington is still dangerous on the counter. All three results are just as likely as McFadden comes on for Perez.

73rd Minute

Attendance announced at over 8000. A nice portion (700 maybe) are Lou City fans.

77th Minute

Morris’ shot on goal is easily saved.

79th Minute

Jones on for Dayes, who had a decent night against a dangerous counterattacking team.

85th Minute

GOAL! The masked man (McFadden) scores on a rebound after a nice move from Donovan is saved by Semmle.

Lexington 1 - Lou City 2

86th Minute

Lexington thinks they equalize, but the goal is ruled out on an infringement that looked to me to be a handball. (Later review proves me correct.) My assumption is that the center referee didn’t see it, but the touchline official did and ruled out the goal.

Full Time

Lexington 1 - Lou City 2

The Lou City players rush to the fans in the corner and go back a few times to celebrate. Lexington’s stadium is the perfect type of venue for an away day crowd. Soccer in America will never be as good as football in England because there are way too few opportunities for manageable away days like this one. Indy is possibly close enough, but their stadium is the worst. I can’t see myself ever wanted to miss this match. I might even prefer the away day to the home return.

Lexington actually ends up with 47% of possession and equaled Lou City’s possession in 2nd half. Still, their counter is where the danger was. Lexington also seems to be more Chelsea than Man City in that they spent a ton of money, but the pieces don’t quite fit yet. Give them time and maybe they will figure things out. It would be cool if the two best teams in the USL resided in Kentucky, but Lexington still has work to do.

Lou City set up a 1 goal advantage for the Commonwealth Cup, but more importantly get 3 points on the table before any other team has a chance. After the match, Danny Cruz states that he thought the first half effort was below standard, thus the 3 changes. It’s a long season, but you could tell that this one meant a lot to him too, not just the players.

McFadden often parades around the field like a man possessed and the mask definitely works for his mystique. It took him a good 10 minutes to calm down after the final whistle blew, but there is always a baseline of calm brewing under his fiery demeanor. His finish to win Lou City the match was so, so composed and his thoughts after the match were firmly in the gratefulness area. He talked about the need for the league and players to reach an arrangement that will allow kids to dream of playing soccer and also being able to not be on food stamps or have a second job. Every club has their great players, but many also have their “folk heroes”. It’s hard to see McFadden not living in Lou City lore for years to come.

Dayes wrapped up the interviews, and it is cool to see how much he has grown and matured in a year. He has gone from someone who is just happy to be there to someone who by his own account, deserves the minutes he is already getting at 17.