Charlotte Independence 0, Louisville City FC 3

It may not actually be true, nor what we’d like to believe, but are our Boys in Purple perhaps more relaxed and cohesive playing in away fixtures?

After just a pair of games against heavily contrasting opponents and tactics it’s not yet possible to generalize on the style the new coach intends to employ, but a trend for the season is starting to appear and that is that City are a genuine force of nature on the road.

After being stalemated by a hard-working and well-organized Nashville SC at Slugger just 4 days earlier, John Hackworth’s likely lads visited the Independence and found the challenge markedly easier. The decision to reconfigure the midfield, installing temporary NYFC loaner James Sands in the anchor role, paid off more than almost anyone, even his delighted head coach, could have anticipated.

Missing top scorers Jorge Herrera and Cordell Cato (collectively accounting for 19 of the club’s 31 league and cup goals in 2018), it was apparent from minute 1 that the wobbling local side (1-6-6 in their previous 13) were going to be content to sit well back, try to absorb the Louisville attack, and bank on taking advantage of any rare look at goal it might happen upon.

But Charlotte are no Nashville. They ceded their guests far too much time and space, especially in the early going and the result was a free-flowing game with the ball moving continuously. This seemed to suit the City boys just fine.

With the absence of any offensive press and the composed debutant No.8 settling in just as though he were a veteran, as had been hinted at Speedy and, even more so, Paulo were free to advance further up the pitch than usual.

In spite of this, City took some time to start creating the number of scoring opportunities that the freedom and a significant benefit in possession ought to have, the best example of this demonstrated by never adding to the sole corner kick won in the 4th minute of the game.

Nonetheless, it was they who would strike first when in the 12th minute Oscar advanced up the left wing and dropped the ball in to Niall who was allowed the luxury of turning unopposed. He instantly spotted Cameron breaking into the box and slide ruled an inch-perfect through ball. A panicked Andrew Dykstra in the Independence goal, knowing too well the danger, chose to gamble, racing off his line and diving at the feet of the swashbuckling striker. Cameron anticipated however, wisely slipping the ball aside right as the ‘keeper came barreling in, taking the legs out as he did, and the only option for referee Rubiel Vazquez was to point to the penalty spot. Cameron duly converted and City were away and flying.

With acres of room and Charlotte often seeming as if they were a couple of players short, Los Morados bravos were being given virtual free reign, though all the combinations and pretty patterns were not always amounting to much.

In the 28th minute, Speedy found his opponent in behind him and was forced to foul in a handy central position, just outside the area. Jake Areman stepped up and delivered a nice effort over the wall and below the bar, but it was little trouble to a hitherto underworked Greg to parry down and collect.

Immediately, play swept to the other end and George lV took the ball wide and turned it inside to Kyle. Je-Vaughn Watson, who holds 80 caps for Jamaica and has 160 MLS appearances under his belt, sized up his much less experienced opponent, but the venturesome right back drew him in, slipped the ball by and saw Cameron waiting just outside the area. In a play remarkably similar to his goal on July 21st against the very same club, the whip-sharp No.9 collected, gave himself an angle and lashed it low across the helpless Dykstra and into the right hand corner for his and the team’s 2nd. It was a patented, clinical Cameron Lancaster finish.

Shortly after, it was a bolt by Oscar from distance that only barely blazed beyond Dykstra’s left upper V.

Then it was Oscar connecting with Cameron who missed a golden chance to notch his 2nd hat trick in 12 days, this time perhaps a little casual and unable to beat Dykstra despite being on his favorite left foot.

Cameron then picked up a caution for a needless foul from behind, high in his own half, although he’d have to earn plaudits for his enthusiasm and willingness in being a two-way teammate.

The half wound up with George lV dragging wide a decent chance provided by Speedy.

The 2nd half opened with Independence necessarily revamping their tactics, now offering resistance much higher up the pitch, and City somewhat yielding the ball, but without allowing The Jacks anything like as much space to work with as they had themselves enjoyed in the 1st half.

Cameron was almost in once again as he sprung onto a misplayed back pass by Watson, but this time the ‘keeper arrived momentarily and was able to thwart the attempt. The play had begun on a delightful chipped service by Niall.

Next it was Niall’s himself turn. A fine move from Sean through Speedy and Paulo sent Niall diagonally in from the left corner of the area. Dykstra made the stop, but it was getting all too easy again for the visitors.

Seconds later, George lV was gifted a blatant giveaway from a by now beleaguered Watson and hit Cameron 20 yards out. His right-footed curler gave Dykstra no chance but wouldn’t quite dip and it crashed against the bar. If Cameron hadn’t then wheeled away in consternation (a surprising lapse for a man with his instincts) Paolo, to whom fell the rebound, might have returned the ball to him for a straightforward finish, but now his only play was to go for goal and he skied it over on the one-time volley.

Next, first Oscar from Niall, and then George lV courtesy of Speedy and a nice dummy by Paolo (both contributing usefully in their mandated advanced roles) had tame efforts.

Charlotte then had their lone decent chance of the match when Joel Johnson overlapped up the right and crossed for Caleb Calvert in the center of the area. Sean was sagging off a little but the ex Colorado Rapid has not found the net much the last couple of seasons and, as he was falling, lifted his shot well over Greg’s crossbar.

Cameron went down with what appeared to be a hamstring twinge and fortunately did not look in too much pain as the precautionary substitution was made.

It was Luke who replaced him and with only a half hour or so remaining this was a much better situation for him than it was having to start the match last Saturday since he had not had the chance to regain his conditioning. And within minutes he would have his first goal since his return from infirmary 12</days ago.

Sean picked off an errant pass by former France YNT player Yann Ekra and fed the ball to James. Having already enjoyed an impressive match, he now stamped his mark offensively by sending an exquisite 45 yard ball through the defense and directly into the path of Luke who had only to nudge on into the area before shooting with his left between the hapless Dykstra’s legs.

As if City even needed the dagger.

Doubly encouraging: the debut assist from James, and to see Luke moving so fluently, though he may not have intended to embarrass the keeper so – but he will take it.

Coach Hack had raised a few eyebrows, subbing only once in the weekend game, so Shaun would be sent in for a not altogether thrilled Niall who has struggled for regular minutes this season and seems hungry for all the time on the park he can get. One simply has to love the feisty Dubliner’s spirit.

Paolo then won a free kick just outside which Speedy took well, putting it around the wall but narrowly wide of the left post.

Hack would exceed himself, subbing on Pat for El Cuarto who had handed in yet another consistent performance.

Before the final whistle, there was just time for Luke to put a half-chance on the turn up and over the bar, and for Charlotte substitute Mutaya Mwape to pick up an equalizing yellow card for a foul on Greg as he was clearing. It was after a slightly soft back pass that might have been there to be won, but at the end of the day Mwape is no Mbappe!

So, Charlotte had died once again, just as E.B. White would have had it.

Not the toughest task Los Morados will ever undergo then, but a comprehensive team effort and another satisfying, clear-cut win on the road.

Standouts on the night: Paco again due to his reliable defensive display, Niall for the opportunities he carved out for himself and others, Paolo who added much in a more offensive role, and of course Cameron who with his 14th and 15th of the season maintains 2nd place, just 1 goal behind Orange County SC star Thomas Enevoldsen for the USL Golden Boot.

However, Man of the Match simply must go to the impressive James Sands who surely won over all those watching the game and belied the fact he is a mere 18 years and 47 days old. He was starting for the very 1st time in a professional football match, distinguishing himself in all aspects like a seasoned pro.

On his big night he contributed all over the park and appeared confident, physically strong, adept in the fundamentals, possessed a good read on the game and is, dare one say it, gritty!

The future is extremely bright for this young man and it will be Lou City FC’s fortune for as long as we have him.

And if this is any indication of the savvy and pulling power of our spanking new coach we are going to have a lot more to look forward to coming down the pipe.

On then to Richmond on Saturday for another very winnable fixture.

Go City!

~~~ Fun Fact Footnote ~~~

Good to note the return of Richard Ballard, albeit as an unused sub … no place in the squad though for new loan signing Jose Carranza.