This is it. It’s the start of Week 1. We’re playing a real opponent with real refs, real league-approved balls, real kits (we assume), for real points and real stakes. Pre-season’s over. Real season’s on.

Louisville City enters the week a little worse for wear. Richie Ballard is on crutches. Luke Spencer was a DNP on Saturday night due to some injury. Shawn Francis was visibly limping during and after his substitute appearance on Saturday at UofL. So there’s a little roster uncertainty.

North Carolina is an unknown quantity, by and large. I’ll get more in depth with them later this week, but it’s difficult to plan to play an opponent with a new coach and an almost totally overhauled roster with no film to watch. St. Louis does it almost every year.

But now it’s crunch time. Time to get in the routine. Get your rest in, get your practices in. Have a quiet Friday night so you can scream on Saturday. Let’s get ready.