That was fun. On a beautiful night at Lynn Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville, thousands were treated to a really, really entertaining soccer game. My own recollection probably won’t do the game justice, so I’ll reprint the press release and add my take after:

A 3-2 win over the New England Revolution in the Fourth Round of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup does not even begin to tell the tale of City’s incredible USOC performance against Major League opposition. Yet, three goals—one from Oscar Jimenez, one from Cameron Lancaster, and one from Brian Ownby—set the city ablaze with cheers as the “Boys in Purple” advanced to a coveted place in the USOC Round of 16.

What Happened?

In front of over 5,000 fans at the University of Louisville’s Lynn Stadium, Louisville City FC dominated the New England Revolution in the club’s first-ever competitive meeting with Major League Soccer opposition.

Conceding just five minutes in, City was quick to respond as the attack continued to pile pressure on the Revs goal. After narrowly missing high minutes earlier, midfielder Oscar Jimenez would put the equalizer in the back of the net after 11 minutes. Serving from a wide position, midfielder Brian Ownby—one of many sparkplugs in City’s attack—served in a cross on a platter for Jimenez, who hit the ball at the first time of asking to beat Revs ‘keeper Brad Knighton.

In keeping the ball high up the pitch, opportunities would then fall for forward Cameron Lancaster, Brian Ownby, and George Davis IV, though none would convert to put City ahead. Just before the half-hour mark, the Revs found their second goal via a LouCity own goal. However, still not to be deterred, City’s press paid off as they would find a second equalizer before 40 minutes thanks to Lancaster. Settling a pass from Jimenez, the Englishman darted between a pair of defenders and produced an untouchable finish at the far post.

At the break, the pair shared the spoils.

Into the second half, City would not relent and continued to ask questions of the Revs’ defense. Shots from Devon “Speedy” Williams and George Davis IV would both end up just high of the crossbar and out, but only for a moment…

In the 63^rd minute, Brian Ownby produced a world class effort to put City ahead for good. Turning inside off a pass from Davis IV, Ownby darted around potential challenges before ripping an effort that found its way inside the top left corner of the goal. City wasn’t done, either, as substitutes Luke Spencer and Niall McCabe both had chances fall at their feet, though neither one managed to hit the net.

At the final whistle, Louisville City FC advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 for the first time in club history, defeating the New England Revolution, 3-2.

The Round of 16 draw will be streamed live on Thursday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m. on USSoccer.com and Facebook.com/OfficialOpenCup.

Ok, so my quick, disorganized thoughts:

• City gifted New England two goals and they still couldn’t win.
• City generated more and better chances all night, even with less of the ball. New England won the possession battle almost 60%-40%. It didn’t matter, because they had less of the ball in City’s half.
• City completed more passes in the final third than New England did, 59%-57%, had more shots (15-9) and more shots on target (7-4). That’s all you can ask for, win or lose, sometimes.
• Morados’ high press is really what won the game. New England couldn’t deal with it. Lancaster, Ownby and Davis all constantly forced the Revs defense into making quick decisions, which often led to risky passes to the middle that Speedy and Paolo ate up.
• I said it on the podcast, but I’ll write it here: games like that one are so great because there’s almost no expectation to win. I expected the game to be competitive, and I wouldn’t have been heartbroken if we’d lost as long as Morados held their own. They did that, and then some. The win was just icing on the cake.
• That was so much fun. Let’s do it again!