This was a tough 1-0 loss for the Boys in Purple, and no one took it harder than Aiden McFadden, who ripped his jersey and then stood, forlorn, in the middle of the pitch for some minutes after the match ended. In case anyone was wondering how he felt, he shared a loud, one-word monologue (that rhymes with truck) with the entire stadium before disappearing into the unknown. Or maybe he headed back to the locker room.

We’ll start this recap with a brief pause to empathize with Aiden, then enjoy the passion of play that Lou City brought to the pitch last night. (On the right, Dia fiercely protects his daughter from the demons that are haunting McFadden. Or maybe this picture is taken out of context and included for dramatic effective. We’ll never know, but isn’t she just the cutest?)

Click here for Michael’s recap of the game sans pictures.

Captain Kyle Adams enters the stadium with the confidence warranted by his team’s play this season. This professionalism continues until he leaves the pitch. Did you spot him in the background of McFadden’s picture, making his rounds to applaud the fans as he does every match? That’s just one reason he wears the arm band.

Minnesota’s keeper is a good head taller than Las, but that’s mostly made up of ego. He and three other MNUFC starters (for tonight’s match only) had their signing with the team announced just 1.5 hours before the start of the match, called up from the MLS Reserves. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame, kids.

You know that awkward feeling when someone gets you a gift for Christmas but you didn’t get them one? Yeah, Kyle Adams was feeling none of that as he accepted the pennant from MNUFC. (We had a pennant for Lexington, and for Richmond, did someone leave the one for Minnesota in their car last night? Oh well.)

*The pre-match huddle. I always get chills from this, so I will always take and post a picture. It’s the pinnacle of energy and excitement before the game.*

*McFadden, when his jersey was still intact, his hair managed by the headband. Happier times.*

*As you can clearly see here, Serrano was onside for that first goal that wasn’t a goal because Serrano was offside.*

*First of a few dozen remarkable efforts from Manny Perez. I hope he saved some energy for Saturday’s match because he seemed to leave it all on the pitch last night.*

Goodrum on the ground. Dia on the move. Serrano onside. This was one of the best looks at the goal that Lou City had in the first half because the ref didn’t blow the play dead. He probably couldn’t find his whistle.

*Serrano thinks it’s going in. Goodrum is still mad he didn’t draw the foul. The ref is still looking for his whistle. (No complaints here.) Doesn’t matter, the shot is wide.*

Here, my camera thought I was trying to take a picture of Michael (far right, yellow vest) rather than the two football players three feet away, so we have a blurry Manny Perez showcasing his football skills to Bowl Cut.

Goodrum and Evan Davila bring the ball down the field again. Minnesota’s player on the far right is clearly exhausted already and wondering when he can have the Capri-Sun that he snuck into the stadium in the ball bag.

*Adrien Perez checks the score and can’t believe it’s still 0-0, and oh yeah here comes the ball from Evan Davila.*

Adrien Perez tries to clear a path with his arm and Jedi mind tricks (this isn’t the ball you’re looking for…) and it seems to work based on the nameless Minnesota player’s face (this isn’t the ball I’m looking for…).

*Goodrum must’ve moved the ball at least 30 feet down the field just bouncing it off his chest and abdomen. It was a gutsy move. Sorry, I can’t control it; these puns write themselves.*

*Great defense from Adams through-out the game, and a little more offense than we usually see, especially later in the second half.*

*Quick throw-in from Manny Perez. I know what you’re thinking - Manny doesn’t usually take the throw-in. Lou City was trying to offset the massive time-wasting from MNUFC.*

*Check out that stride from Adrien Perez. And he keeps a foot on the ball despite being surrounded by Minnesota.*

*Another great save from Las. He didn’t have to catch that ball (it was a pretty high shot), but I think he wanted everyone to know that he could anyway.*

*Players falling all over themselves trying to stop Manny Perez.*

*The Davila bros (I wonder if they hate when people call them that?) are still full of energy and then there’s Tired Guy again from Minnesota.*

*“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m levitating (whoo).” -Ordóñez and Dua Lipa*

Probably the best chance for a Lou City goal all night. Adrien Perez is caught in a bear hug. The Minnesota keeper is flailing about like a hummingbird fighting for nectar, and Goodrum cannot believe the ball doesn’t make it into the net. Hummingbird eventually managed to grab the ball with his wing-arms.

*Adrian Perez was the first of several Lou City players who had kind words for the ref based on the A+ officiating that we saw in the match.*

Brief Kyle Adams’ appreciation gallery.

*More action following a Lou City corner kick that just couldn’t find its way into the net.*

*Here’s that pesky goal from Minnesota (no way to know for sure who scored it) but it snuck in through a low corner.*

The valiant effort continued during stoppage time, with a foreshadowing of McFadden’s breakdown with some breakdancing; Goodrum kept the pressure on the Keeper who continued the time wasting, and everyone else kept being their awesome selves.

*Tiny victory for Lou City when the ref finally hands out yellow cards for Minnesota players’ intentional time wasting.*

Post-match snaps. Adams checks in with his Racing fan club. (Where have I seen her before?) Lou City players resting for the game Saturday show off their classy threads. Dia walks with his daughter in her “Daddy” jersey before chatting with media. Manny Perez signs autographs for some fans.

5-7-25 Lou City v. MNUFC

5-1-25 Lou City v. Lex