Fight Club: Lou City 4-NCFC 1
Kyle Adams offers a high-five to a fearful NC player as Lou City sets up an early goal opportunity.
It was an action-packed night in the Purple City as North Carolina (who struggled again to make it all the way to Louisville) literally fought for their single goal. I vaguely remember seeing some green shirts on the pitch but there was no refereeing happening within a 5-mile radius. The Greens did dish out a yellow card to Coach Danny Cruz for some unknown reason, but NC’s #8 gave Kyle Adams a good shove during one of the Fight Breaks with not so much as a finger wagging from an official.
Since play was a free-for-all, Lou City racked up three goals in the 2nd half. If you were nice to Sam Gleadle this week, he gave you a ball to put in the back of the net. The Boys in Purple definitely played better in the second half, probably because they stayed on their level rather than stoop to the shenanigans of the NC Cowards. Enjoy some snaps of the action.
A nice breeze on the pitch made it feel like 70 rather than the actual 80 degrees for the match. Pro tip: If you want to know if the wind is blowing, see if Kyle Adams’ hair is moving. To check the humidity, check the tightness of his curls - there’s an inverse relationship there. Last night: Nice breeze, low humidity.
Taylor Davila, warming up his awesomeness so he can go be awesome against North Ca. Wait, I forgot, he wakes up like this.
Speaking of awesomeness, it was Military Service Appreciation night. Thank you to all who have served or are serving, including my amazing nephew who became a Marine at the age of 17.
Look at these happy kiddos. They’re not worried about going back to school next week; they’re thrilled to be on the pitch with their sports heroes.
Every time a little disagreement or mini brawl was in the works, I thought back to this moment pre-match when everyone was still friends. Little man knew something was fishy, though.
More-sweet-moments-of-the-walk-out-and-handshakes Gallery
I was trying to get a good picture of the huddle but Phil Goodrum wanted us to know that he’s been working on his abs. We see you, Phil.
Jansen Wilson demonstrates a new take on “sweep the leg” as he takes the ball from a nameless NC player.
Kyle Adams takes the ball down the pitch seemingly practicing his “walk the dog” yo-yo move. The slight breeze continues to the delight of fans.
Didn’t have to wait long to get the newest addition to my series “Josh Jones dries the ball.” I hope they auction off one of his used Gatorade towels at the Soccer ball - I’d love the see the Lou City and Racing foundation make a small fortune.
Also if someone made this into a poster and had Josh Jones sign it. (Note I will only charge 1% commission for my brilliant ideas.)
A night full of beautiful headers and a full-on flip coming soon. They make it look so effortless until you zoom in on their faces or hear their heads clunk together.
Evidently this moment was preceded by a wonderful header from Man of the Match Kevon Lambert, but I missed it because I was busy explaining to Horrible-Timing security guard from Andy Frain Services that I was in fact sitting in the right place. I know he had good intentions, but the timing was not ideal. They should “refrain” from interrupting media when Lou City has the ball 3 feet from the opponent’s goal. Ok that was not a great line, but I needed to write at least a good paragraph about it to feel better.
Lucky for Horrible-Timing guy, I did not miss that epic Kevon Lambert flip.
Lambert’s Goal Celebration Gallery (Even though he celebrated, he looks shocked about the celebration)
Here’s another effortless header, this one from Sean Totsch, with a little piggyback ride from nameless NC player.
Davila the Elder putting on a show.
Aiden McFadden holding a clinic.
Players from both teams lined up like moms heading into Target for school supplies.
Wilson making the Keeper work for it. Turns out this Keeper would spend a lot of time on the grass. (I really wanted to make a Lightning McQueen joke about this guy’s name, but let’s face it, Lightning McQueen is cooler than any of us, really.)
Phil Goodrum taking Mustache for a stroll. (I know Phil also has a mustache, but compared to this dude, he actually doesn’t.)
Ray Serrano trying to get the crowd into it before Lou City’s corner kick. They responded by cheering for him. It’s possible than some people love Ray more than they love Lou City, football, or their mother. No judgement.
Something in this play sparked the first incident of the night. It could have been pure jealousy over Aiden McFadden’s hair, or it could’ve been #13 trying to undress Lambert. Josh Jones also appears to take a punch to the gut. Haha just kidding, he doesn’t have a gut, he probably didn’t feel a thing.
Match Fight #1 Gallery (Watch Taylor Davila play peacemaker; it’s beautiful.)
Adams reminds the referee that he, Kyle, is the Lou City captain, but he’s getting really tired of coming over and asking him, Invisible Ref, to do his job.
If anyone ever deserved a soccer ball over his face in my pictures, #8 does. If I had time, I would soccer ball so many faces. Maybe not #13 - he looks like a young Noah Wyle. (If you haven’t watched The Pitt, and you enjoy medical dramas and good acting, check it out.)
Damian Las temporarily delegated the yelling to Kevon Lambert (I know, I was surprised too).
Dirty plays land Serrano on the ground right before the first half ends, leaving it 1-1 for locker room discussions.
Second half, the fouling starts again. I’ve never seen Kyle Adams line up with the boys for a free kick, but he was running out of patience with NC.
Amadou Dia gets a beautiful pass over the NC player as a warning that three goals would be following shortly.
Davila the Elder sets up a beautiful play. He’s clearly inbounds.
Speaking of inbounds, here’s Sam Gleadle with a fantastic save to keep a long pass from Josh Jones in play. And the ball was inbounds. Definitely inbounds.
NC confirms that the ball was inbounds. They’re even celebrating with Lou City as Goodrum puts it in the net. Gleadle stays quiet in the corner.
Lou City celebrates while NC threatens to take their ball and go home.
A mere 12 minutes have passed and Gleadle tees up another ball (inbounds) for Jansen Wilson to launch to the net.
You’d-think-they-would-get-tired-from-all-the-Celebrating Gallery
Lambert defends the Lou City goal with a header because why not? He’s done everything else tonight. Probably even changed a diaper or two today.
Kyle Adams is daring nameless #8 to come at him. (Actually, “Dolabella” roughly translates to “Pretty Dollar” so maybe I should use his name.) Dollar shoves Adams, knowing that the Blind Refs aren’t going to do anything, playing right into Adams’ trap. Easy money. (Sorry, the bad puns are coming fast and furious today.)
Dollar runs to his friends for back-up and then slinks off to hide in a corner. It would take four of them and someone with a brain to outsmart Adams.
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s NC’s last glimmer of hope flying out of the stadium.
In comes Young Davy (with a goal in his pocket and now a fun new nickname) and Cameron Lancaster (with the ferocity of a gorilla asked to fight 100 men).
First sign that Davila the Younger is up to something. The net is calling.
Lancaster, the ball, and a crying Keeper have a tea party in the net after Evan Davila’s first regular-season USL goal.
Young-Davy’s-First-Goal Celebration Gallery
Maybe you’ve heard of the Irish exit (leave a party without talking to anyone)? May I present, the Serrano exit - leaving the match by talking to everyone! Everyone gets a high five and night made.
Ray-Serrano-handing-out-Smiles-Gallery
Brandon Dayes sees some action. Absolutely love when he gets minutes.
Dayes and Las chilling by the net, exchanging jokes, like what if North Carolina make it down here again? Ha!
Bringing the ball down the pitch. I love how Lambert is looking out for Hayes with Gleadle and Jones flanking.
Niall McCabe was in maybe two minutes before he was fouled. (Is it a foul if the refs don’t call it? Maybe he was just gently bumped to the ground.)
Wrapping up a 4-1 win for three delicious points and sending the NC Bullies on their way.
Coach Danny was very pleased with the second half of play. And of course the delicious three points.
Young Davy shared that his family was in town to celebrate his grandparents’ 60th anniversary and were at the match, so he was beyond grateful for the opportunity to score his first USL goal with them in attendance.
Man of the Match Kevon Lambert confirmed that we could see more flips in his future, because that is his preferred method of celebrating. I think Coach will want him wearing protective gear of some sort for the next one. This was Kevon’s first goal of the season.
More action shots and post-match celebration images are below in the Fin Gallery.
