Thanks to a two-goal performance in his side’s 5-3 win over New York Red Bulls II, midfielder Napo Matsoso earned a third straight nod for Man of the Match.
His recent scoring burst came after a bit of nagging from head coach John Hackworth, as noted by Matsoso himself.
“He’s been giving me a hard time since preseason,” Matsoso said. “It’s been a long waiting. I’m happy to finally score now, but we just have to keep going.”
Two goals in a three-minute stretch from number 27 opened the Louisville City lead to 3-1, including a strike off a rebound with another slotted in the bottom right corner on a long run.
“Oh, it felt good, especially with how New York Red Bulls play,” Napo said on the importance of his attack. “They press every time. They don’t really let any goals in, so it was massive to get that many goals.”
Great timing and brilliant skill from the Louisville native came in arguably the biggest match of an 8-game unbeaten streak for the Boys in Purple, with a chance at a win over the top-ranked Red Bulls II and a jump up the table on the line.
“Oh, it’s massive,” he said on the win. “I mean they’re the number one team in the East, so it was a huge motivation for us to continue winning, continue beating the top teams and showing the whole league that we are up there too.”
When asked about the last time the 5-foot-6, 150-pound Lesotho-born midfielder scored twice in a league match, Matsoso did not hesitate to answer.
“Never. That was the first one and felt amazing to have another win at home. Massive win against Red Bulls. All the goals came because of the team. We all believe in each other.”
Up next for Matsoso and the now 6th ranked Louisville City club is a Saturday night clash with a Tampa Bay Rowdies side sitting at 3rdin the table. Kickoff at Slugger Field is set for 7 p.m.
