On a fairly warm Saturday evening just south of Atlanta, Asheville City Soccer Club squared off against the Georgia Revolution. The field where the two teams met at North Mount Carmel Park is the nicest of the bunch in a sprawling complex. For the first half, the sun was to the backs of all those in attendance. In the end, Asheville could not manage to net a late third goal and took only one point home with them after a 2–2 draw.

Georgia came out strong and dominated possession early on, but it was Asheville that got on the board first in the tenth minute. After several keen passes to move the ball up the field, Tom Deeley collected it on the left side of the box, and made a quick touch pass to find (who else?) Elma N’For, who made one quick move to separate himself from the only defender in front of him and bury it in the left side of the net. Aaahhh, déjà vu.

Jack Miller played excellent D. on Saturday (photo credit: Alex Hamilton)

Victor Spaggiari, who started in net for the Blues this game, was impressive throughout, especially in his communication: he was vocal the entire game.

Speaking of being vocal, there is a fun little bonus in attending these NPSL games. At some of these fields, and in Hampton, GA it was particularly evident, you are rewarded for making the trek with the auditory bonus that comes along with being right on the sideline… player banter is hilarious. Sure, it’s present in every sport at every level, but that doesn’t mean it gets old. The obvious bubble of chatter that migrates around with the ball like a metaphorical, ominous rain cloud is one thing. But, the lagging remarks that follow the bubble like a serpent’s tail, flowing through players and from one team to another, constantly making inaudible jabs at each other or the referee, or self-loathing over a mistake… that’s where it’s at.

If ever given the chance to witness a lightly-attended match (the quieter the better), go. Sit as close as possible and tune in. You shan’t be disappointed.

(Photo Credit: Alex Hamilton)

I digress. The Revs would hold off a few more good looks, including a shot from Christian Szalay that went just wide, and a cross that N’For could not quite out-jump Revolution keeper, Carson Oakes for. Late in the first on the other end, Spaggiari would make a beautiful save on a one-on-one, diving quickly to his left to display exceptional reaction time in order to preserve the Blues’ lead. Finally, the heat would subside a little as the sun set over Hampton at the close of the first half. It was quite poetic really.

1–0 was the halftime score.

Another wandering moment, my apologies, but I want to give a shout out to the Georgia Revolution’s owners and crew at the stadium. They were more than hospitable, even going to the extent of driving our beer cooler into the stadium on an ATV for us. Now that is service. But seriously, they were great people and I definitely plan on making the trip back next year. Also, I hope the ACSC crowd represents Asheville in the same manner when teams and their fans come into town. Thank you, Georgia. Tip of the hat.

Onward we go into the second half. Five minutes in, Shaun Greenfield (at the least, a USL level on-field banterer if I do say so myself) would drive a shot into the same corner N’For previously scored on, and it was all tied up at 1-1. There wasn’t anything Spaggiari could have done about that one. Just a solid strike.

Elma N’For could not bring this one down enough to put it on target. (Photo Credit: Alex Hamilton)

Asheville would get a chance to break the tie a few minutes later on a cross into the box, placed beautifully onto the foot of Elma, but he couldn’t quite get on top of it enough to keep it on target. It was aesthetically pleasing to watch, nonetheless.

The Revolution came on the attack in the 65th minute as Cameron Moseley was the recipient of the right pass at the right time, unknotting the score with a great shot that sailed past an outstretched Spaggiari, 2–1 to the home team.

But the Blues would strike back rather quickly in the 67'. I believe it was the first goal off of a corner kick for Asheville this year. Nick Boegemann leapt above the crowd of bobbing noggins to get a good head on it for his first goal of the season. And don’t hang your head, Tom Deeley; no goals on the night, but that was your second assist on the evening.

This stolen momentum would continue to build for Asheville who pretty much controlled the remainder. In the last 7 or 8 minutes there was a series of about 5 corners that proved fun to watch. However, they were still unproductive in the end. The final whistle blew, 2–2.

Another draw and a singular point on the road for Asheville City. Knoxville beat Memphis 3–1, though, so the Force moved into second in the division behind the Atlanta Silverbacks, who are cruising right along.

Asheville hosts the Silverbacks this Saturday for their first meeting this year in what is promising to be quite the showdown at Memorial. The Silverbacks are accustomed to large crowds, but that doesn’t mean a Saturday night at Memorial with a fanbase that’s gaining steam can’t make a huge difference for our boys in blue.

They will need all the extra surge in energy we can provide for them in this one. Wins this time of year can’t be under ppreciated, and against the division leaders, a win would clearly be big for home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Up to date standings, courtesy of ACSC.

Sadly, I personally cannot make it to this game. My best friend getting hitched is one of the few things that would keep me from it.

Kickoff this Saturday is at 7:30 again. There will be pregame festivities going on at Hi-Wire’s Big Top. Join the South Slope Blues for the #MarchToMemorial and get loud for this one. #PTCB all ye Ashevillians!