ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Men of Asheville City faced off against the Louisiana Krewe in the 1st round of the USL League Two playoffs and could not overcome playing down a man for an entire half as they fell 3-2 in Dothan, Alabama.
After the game was originally postponed an hour due to a lightning delay, four minutes were played before another delay occurred that lasted around an hour and a half.
Two minutes after restart, Italo Jenkins took advantage of a miscommunication from the Blues’ backline to put Louisiana in front 3-2.
Five minutes later the Blues responded when Ernest Mensah Jr. played Tony Kim in behind the defense on the right side of the box. Kim squared it to Sergi Solans who tapped it in right in front of the goalline to open up his Asheville City account and knot things up at 1.
In the 12th minute, the Blues almost struck again through Solans but his volley in the center of the box rang off the crossbar.
The first half was sloppy from both sides as they both (literally) struggled to gain footing in the match on a slippery pitch, leading to mishit passes and turnovers from both. The two teams battled for a bit before the Krewe jumped back in front in the 28th when Pol Mur found the back of the net to make it 2-1.
The Blues started to stack chances as the clock crept into the 40s but Max Hinke and the Krewe backline stood strong. Disaster then struck for the Blues three minutes into stoppage time when Simon Carlson was assessed a red after a tackle in the midfield.
Things did not start out well in the second half either when Pol Mur took advantage of an awkward Asheville backpass to double the Krewe’s advantage to 3-1.
The Blues did not give up however, Michael Rempel and Brennan Creek both ripped dangerous shots on net in the 59th and 62nd minute, respectively, as the Blues pushed to get back into the game.
Finally the lead was cut back to one in the 73rd minute when Solans was left open for a free header to make it 3-2 and give the Blues’ a fighting chance.
In the 76th minute, Rempel hopped on a ball on the right wing and sent a low half-volley into a crowd of players in the center of the box and a mad scramble ensued. Multiple Blues had cracks at it but none could put it home and Louisiana remained in front.
The Blues created multiple chances in the final 10 minutes of game time. An open Jack Casey header at the back post on the left side forced a hard save out of Max Hinke, Rempel put a freekick from 40 yards out on frame that again tested Hinke, and moments later Solans put a header on net that again was saved as time ran out on the Blues’ season.
Despite a tough ending, the Blues enjoyed a successful season overall that included an undefeated regular season as well as their third straight South Central Division title.