The Richmond Kickers came to Louisville never having taken a point from Slugger Field – and for a good part of the game looked to be the spoiler. A superb strike against the run of play from the Kickers’ new acquisition, NASL journeyman Brian Shriver, came out of nowhere in the 17’ to put the Kickers in front. It was literally the only couple of passes Richmond put together in the first half, and certainly the only real shot, but that was all Shriver needed. He possessed the ball nicely near midfiled and played it up to Gonzalez, who dropped it back for Shriver’s one touch curler from 25 yards to the bottom left corner.

At least it was a true gem of a shot that ended the shutout streak. But no one saw it coming from this Kickers side that looked to let Los Morados possess and attack as much as we wanted, at least until we threatened its goal.

The first half was full of possession from City with a few half chances here and there as we pushed for the equalizer. Cameron Lancaster connected on a nice ball in from Shaum Francis, flicking a header that produced a great save from the Richmond keeper. City’s best chance may have come just before the break as Paco Craig had a great look to put away a header off a corner from Oscar but couldn’t quite get on top of the ball, putting it over the crossbar.

Other first half highlights included, much to City’s chagrin, a bunch of Richmond goal kicks preceded by a highly choreographed sequence by the keeper that included drink of water, shin guard adjustment, and golf putt -esque measurements.

City came out guns blazing and were relentless in the second half. A big spark came with the first appearance of the season for Brian Ownby, who replaced Magnus Rasmussen in the 55’. Ownby looked sharp in his 2018 debut, and City fans will be pumped be is back in the rotation.

Lancaster was active all night and looked dangerous leading the line for the second straight game. His hard worked paid off in the 62nd minute. Oscar put him on a great pass in the box and he earned a penalty when Richmond’s Yomby dragged him down from behind. Kyle Smith stepped up and buried it to level the score.

City smelled blood at this point and really took it to Richmond. With the exception of a scary corner kick from the Kickers in the 70’, it always looked like the boys in purple would go on to get the winner.

Oscar got in behind up the right side several times, once from an absolutely deft pass by Sean Totsch from way back. Oscar and Ownby worked well together. One of their give-and-gos put Oscar in for a hard left footed shot just inside the 18 produced a great save from Richmond’s keeper at the near post.

But it would be super-sub George Davis IV, the former Kicker, who would seal the deal. Davis came on for Francis in the 75’ and combined with another super sub, Ilija Ilic, to get the winner in dramatic fashion. Ilic played Davis in on the left side in the first minute of stoppage, who had smartly adjusted his run wider to make room for a shot. He collected and drilled a left-footed strike to the opposite corner, leaving no question.

Jubilation ensued and Los Morados saw out the victory. Deservedly so, as City enjoyed 67% possession and outshot the Kicker by 20+.

It was a great night. Elsie’s best start in club history and is now alone at the top of the table. Let’s keep this train rolling! C’MON CITY!!!