By Caitlin Ladd
“Coach gives me all the confidence in the world,” Louisville City FC’s Kadeem Dacres said Saturday night, minutes after a dazzling return to the starting lineup left the midfielder all smiles.
Voted Man of the Match, Dacres locked down the right side during a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati to the point where coach James O’Connor said Dacres “gave their left back a real problem.”
Minutes have been sparse this season for LouCity’s third-leading scorer in 2015, a player capable of creating for himself and others. Both traits were on display Saturday in front of a record 10,062 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.
Dacres fired a game-high three shots, and he led a number of other services into the box. LouCity had its chances but didn’t find the back of the net, marking the first 0-0 result in a game at Slugger.
But Dacres’ performance left hope there are goals ahead for the New York native and former Major League Soccer SuperDraft pick.
“I thought he was very direct in his play,” O’Connor said. “His pace was a problem for them, and I thought they really struggled to be with him. He was really able to give us an outlet in and attacking sense and, equally, he did his job defensively tonight, which is important.”
Again, Dacres credited his coach, saying, “When things are going good for me, he always pushes me to trust in my abilities and just do what you’re capable of doing.”
The 24-year-old brought energy to LouCity’s attack in the first half, when the club saw most of its top scoring tries. Dacres believes “hard work throughout the week” earned him a spot in the lineup, and was “really thankful” for the opportunity.
Last season, Dacres tallied six goals and a pair of assists as a regular in O’Connor’s Starting XI. He has seen time in 11 matches in 2016 but before Saturday last made a start in a May 14 win over Saint Louis FC.
In front of LouCity’s largest home crowd ever, Dacres took advantage of his latest chance.
“Tonight was phenomenal,” he said. “They definitely give us that energy to keep going. and we’re really thankful for that.”
