New York Red Bulls ll 4, Louisville City FC 6

PHEW, WHAT A CRAZY NIGHT !!!!!!

They could have tied up their temporary tenure quietly and demurely, but instead the Triumvirate and their City gang decided to go out with a BANG!

Well, not just one bang, but the full proverbial six-shooter’s worth.

Playing the roles of the storied Earps, Cameron (3) and Ilija (2) partnered up for the bulk of the kill count with George lV firing home another.

As with Indy last Sunday, this match was a rollercoaster of emotions that started with a shock to the system.

From a former state of relative sobriety (and that term we use figuratively), all of a sudden life for a Lou City fan has become a box of chocolates.

As vs. Indy, early events were nothing short of misadventure for the good guys.

Magnus lasted less than 3 minutes before succumbing to an injury, perhaps caused by planting into the artificial turf, forcing Niall to be substituted in.

But a greater jolt was still to hit the visitors who, before they realized there was a soccer game, found themselves 2 behind inside 14 minutes on a pair of muzzle flash counterattacks.

The first came from a fine lead pass by Aguinaga, allowing Barlow in behind a rather too casual Paco. Greg took the risk of coming far wide from his goal to thwart the expected shot, only to get caught in no man’s land, and Barlow was able to slice the ball back across him and through the legs of the hapless Paco to Red Bulls captain Tinari who, with the remaining defenders already dropping off to cover the goal line, finished easily from 12 yards.

The lead was quickly doubled when the talented Aguinaga, once on the books of Real Madrid, played across to Kutler on the edge of the area. Oscar failed to close down enough and Kutler ripped one which Greg got a big hand on and probably thought he should have got the save.

One of the problems early on might have been that the coaching trio had decided to start Ilija high, supporting Cameron who was reinstalled at center-forward.

On the surface, this would appear a smart and logical move, providing much increased scoring potential, but one of the fears was that this set-up would take some intensity and physicality out of the midfield.

This may well have been the case as the Morados were looking ragged and about to go over the cliff and could easily have been 4 goals down before they even got started.

However, at this point the Purple Machine recalibrated, finally kicked itself into gear, and quickly grabbed back the initiative, and within 4 minutes City were back in the game.

Oscar, from the left, sent one in directly to Cameron whose gentle header across the six found Ilija all alone. In what seemed like glorious, mellifluous slow motion, No. 14 repositioned and executed a textbook bicycle kick finish, to the petrification of New York keeper Louro who might have believed Ilija was intending to put it to his other side.

Nevertheless, it was a wonderful acrobatic play that sent the well turned out Coopers at the Copper and Kings watch party into rightful raptures.

As the half proceeded, the Red Bulls’ looks were turning from clear-cut to half-chances, and City were having the better of the proceedings, and in the 43rd Cameron seized onto a chipped ball forward from George lV, staunchly held off 6’4 Cameroon YNT defender Ndam, and bundled the ball past Louro for the equalizer.

The youthful Red Bulls were utterly stunned, and a more seasoned unit might have been able to claw their way back into things.

However, just 3 minutes into the 2nd, it was George lV punching 3rd jersey wearing Lou City into the lead after another great Oscar cross which was delightfully controlled and back-heeled to him by Ilija.

It was the exact reversal of the turnaround Red Bulls had laid on City at Slugger some 41 days ago in the James O’Connor swan song game.

On this occasion, however, there would be no fairy tale home team salvation for John Wolyniec’s young chargers.

In the 53rd, Oscar cut inside and with his right delivered an incisive ball which a now rampant Ilija redirected past Louro.

10 minutes on, and it was that man Oscar once again, slapping a left wing corner onto the head of Paulo who knocked it back across for Cameron to in turn head adeptly inside the near post.

Then, to the delight of surely every sentient Louisvillian watching, Luke stepped on to finally resume his injury clipped season, the first time the Triumvirate had all been on the same side of a touchline since he went down.

The 15 minute cameo showed obvious signs of his long months out, yet with 7 minutes remaining he did manage a good feed to Cameron who duly accelerated past Politz and slotted home for the 6th and final City score and a famous hat-trick which takes him to 13 on the season and outright leader in the race for the USL Golden Boot (..is there one??).

Either side of that were Red Bulls marks by Aguinaga (where 6 barely contested opposition touches in rapid succession, in the heart of the purple area resulted in Greg again getting a fruitless hand on a goal bound shot), and a Ndam penalty on an unfortunate handball situation in which Kyle appeared to be handcuffed by a pass hit at him – but at least was spared a second yellow card.

Also of note late was a desperation Paco tackle denying a certain goal for Barlow.

So, the inscription on the tombstone was written, though the Shootout could have ended even closer.

Ultimately, after the last sheriff departed all those 41 days ago – seems like *1881 – the town could so easily have gone pear-shaped.

Instead the much lauded Triumvirate deputies have taken to the task and proudly ride out having, in USL play, secured a phenomenal 4 wins, a draw and but one narrow loss whilst in charge.

Hi ho, silver lining, indeed. Who could come away denying they have been anything but a runaway success?!

Now, it’s up to new-pistol-in-town John “Hack” Hackworth (who will be showcased for fans Tuesday night at Falls City Brewing Co. and Saturday in his Slugger Field debut vs. Nashville SC) to reinforce a loose midfield and leaky defense whilst simultaneously extending the Purples’ winning ways.

With his time already served in the saddle and steady hand, he ought to be just the right lawman to take up the mantle and keep us safe.

Go City !