The One with the Trophy (not a rerun)
In this fairytale match, the good guys won, the hero got his trophy, and the evil villain went home with the red card. Lou City FC 4-Lexington SC 2.
Okay, okay, I used to love Phil Goodrum as much as the next Lou City fan, and my fan group includes someone who used to have a little crush on him, but that dude plays dirty. As Michael so eloquently put it, “He’s a jerk, but he was our jerk,” so yes, we loved him. But his absolute meltdown at the July 11th match is why we were okay to part ways with him. Phil can score the goals (if he doesn’t get kicked out of the match), but so can Jansen Wilson and a dozen other Boys in Purple who can do it while keeping their cool.
So when Goodrum earned his first yellow card, the Lou City fans all simultaneously turned into a bunch of 15 year old girls who squealed with delight. Yellow cards are supposed to be warnings but no one explained this to Phil Goodrum. He continued being a menace on the pitch like a bunch of 15 year old boys doing anything. It didn’t take him long to earn that earn his second yellow/ red card in the 33rd minute, and the crowd went wild. I personally was sad to see him exit, because I love watching the dynamic on the pitch between Goodrum and Kyle Adams. I would challenge you to find two more competitive USL players. Watching them spar is its own form of entertainment that Disney would love to capture in a bottle and then sell first as a cartoon and then as a live action film destined to bomb at the box office.
Kyle Adams’ competitive streak and natural leadership are why I endlessly promote him. Not because of his hair, as some have alleged. Against Lexington, I saw Adams help Keeper Danny Faundez find an open player to receive a goal kick, keep the team alive to defend a goal, and exchange atta boys with Coach Simon Bird after Chris Donovan’s goal in the 34th minute. After the match, Adams rallied the players for pictures and the trophy lift. (He may have missed one player who was busy signing autographs.) That’s our Captain. He knows what needs to be done and gets it done. No questions, no hesitation, no jerkfulness.
First on the pitch for warm-ups is the hard-working Hugo Fauroux. He was thrilled to see me point my camera in his direction to capture the moment. He is 100% the type to do good when no is watching and probably isn’t used to being caught. Sorry, Hugo. I see you and I love it.
Also taking the pitch to warm up for Lexington SC are Ed Sheeran and Jafar from Aladdin.
Captain Kyle Adams realizes he’s lost an earbud when Taylor Swift stops singing in his right ear.
Players line up and Sean Totsch shares his latest Dad joke with Danny Faundez.
“Hey Danny, how do soccer plays cool down?”
“Sean, you know I hate-”
“By standing near the fans!”
“Why do I always stand next to you?“
Kyle Adams finds former Women’s US National soccer team player (and his fiancé) and current Racing player Savannah DeMelo in the stands. She asks if they can stop by McDonald’s on the way home for a Filet O’Fish. He gives her the thumbs up.
Even from my temporary seat in the suites, I manage to capture the team and Kyle’s usual disdain for me from the pre-match huddle. He doesn’t like my camera, but he respects the tradition. All other eyes are on Sean Totsch.
Some headers are brutal because you can hear the skulls clash. Others are brutal because you think maybe you’re interrupting a private moment between two players who missed each other so much since the last match that they need to hug it out. This particular header…I think Kyle just wanted to mess with Phil.
I always feel like…somebody’s watching meeeeee….
The first punch of the match is thrown and of course it’s in Goodrum’s direction. Thankfully it’s delivered by Danny Faundez and the recipient is the ball.
Oh no! Somebody fell down! Hope whoever this is, they’re okay!
Tonight Bartender Sean Totsch is serving up some heat but I hear he also makes a great Manhattan.
Totsch showing Goodrum how to play soccer without being all mean about it.
Goodrum is calling Kyle Adams a tattletale but Kyle is just helping me fill out my series, Kyle fusses at the ref. This ref got such a fussing.
Kyle continues his petition to the ref while reminding fans of his commitment to the gym while Phil promises that he’s been lifting. As much as 15 pounds, some days!
When you tell mom that little brother has been eating cookies before dinner and little brother claims innocence despite the chocolate chips in his moustache and mom believes you over him.
How about we all put down the cookies and play some soccer? Lou City goal! Courtesy of Jansen Wilson with an assist from Sam Gleadle.
Celebration/ Pouting Carousel
Wonder how Goodrum is going to handle this goal? Probably with the calm and professionalism that he’s always known for- I’m sorry, I’m being told that we need to go live down the field to watch Goodrum’s walk of shame as he’s earned himself a red card.
Lou City pauses out of respect for the fallen former colleague. Haha just kidding, there’s another goal, this one from Energizer Donny (Chris Donovan) with the assist from Jansen Wilson. I only managed to get some of the celebration shots because I was still off toasting the red card. Same for Jake Morris. He didn’t realize they scored again until Adams ran up beside him.
Celebration Carousel #2
After Lou City’s 2nd goal, the score is 2-1. Danny Faundez has been busy at goal, with saves like this one. Respect from Jake Morris.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a more detailed review of Danny’s night in goal.
Meanwhile at Lexington’s goal, the guys heard that Big Nita’s cheesecake was almost sold out.
What’s better than cheesecake at Lynn Family? Maybe only that sunset view, especially when enhanced by celebration purple smoke.
Just a little moment of appreciation for the field maestro, Taylor Davila.
And another moment for that fantastic sideline support, most of whom are starters many nights.
Wonder how they’ll feel if Jansen scores a second goal to take the lead?
In this case, a thousand pictures are worth a word: Love. No, that’s not it. Team! No, I think the social media team got it right: Daddy.
But this is my favorite of the bunch. Lou City 3 - Lexington 2
Suddenly the ball is a little scary. Lexington is afraid that Lou City will score again. Jake Morris is afraid of making Lexington cry.
I know it looks like Sean Totsch is kicking this Lexington player but please wait while I crawl up this hill that I will die on - Sean would never do that. And if he would, the dude deserved it.
Kevon Lambert is tired of everyone else having all the fun (drama) and decides to join in (yellow card).
Too bad Kevon is subbed out and misses maybe the best part of the match - Lexington’s own goal. Did the player miss hit the ball or was the keeper out of place? Soccer analysts will talk debate this for days to come but I say - hear me out - it was Phil Goodrum’s fault.
Are we tired of celebrating yet? The own goal makes it Lou City 4 - Lexington 2.
Is it really a Lou City match if Tola doesn’t get some playing time and mix it up with someone? It’s still a match, but a slightly less fun one.
As soon as Quenzi went in, Michael said “You know he’s going to try to score,” and he was dead wrong for thirty seconds.
I think the fans had a fun time watching this match and the Commonwealth Cup match (which has been lifted by this crew many times now).
We also got to welcome back John Schweizer who got to thank his heroes during halftime.
But this security guard was Ready. To. Go. Home. Until next time!
Bonus if you scrolled all this way…I watched Kyle Adams sign an Aiden McFadden jersey for a fan who was wearing the McFadden jersey backwards. I want to say he was inspired by Sheldon wanting to have Stan Lee sign his Batman comic, but I think Michael and I are the only ones who would get that reference.
