His first 90 minutes as a professional down, Richard Ballard was asked after Louisville City FC’s season opener back in March what he’d learned about himself at the next level.
“I’m gonna have a lot of fun,” the midfielder said.
Ballard’s 13 appearances since then — including LouCity’s 1-1 draw Saturday night at Eastern Conference leader Charleston — support that statement.
The rookie from Louisville has tallied 2 goals and 2 assists, mostly as his side’s super substitute. Ballard brings pace and athleticism on the wing, a nightmare scenario for defenders on tired legs late in games.
“He’s a weapon with his speed. He’s a weapon with his dribbling,” said Paolo DelPiccolo, LouCity’s captain. “He can score goals like we’ve seen the last month. He’s a solid footballer.”
Ballard continued creating Saturday after swapping for Brian Ownby in the 63rd minute. Looking for the game-winner, he made a run with the ball about half the distance of the pitch before placing a shot between a defender’s legs and on goal. A minute later, he was back in the box with the ball, where a defender was forced to lunge in for a tackle.
Into stoppage time, Ballard continued pressing, taking a gaggle of Battery defenders one on three.
“I think I can bring on a lot of energy when other teams are starting to die out at the end of the game,” Ballard said. “It’s something I’ve been told before — that I have a strong attacking presence, and that pace and quickness are my best attributes.
“…I try to be dangerous and bring a second wind to the team, prop them up a little bit and hopefully create some chances.”
Ballard’s season highlight to this point came June 7, when the DuPont Manual High grad scored the only goal in a win over the Charlotte Independence at Slugger Field. Running along the sideline, he flashed an “L” sign with his hand in recognition of his hometown.
The midfielder scored as a substitute next time out at New York Red Bulls II and a game after that assisted teammate Niall McCabe’s first goal of the year back at Slugger. Ballard nearly earned another assist on what ended up the game-winner July 1 against Ottawa Fury FC, showing determination to earn a ball back in the box and push it toward Luke Spencer for a goal; the scorekeeper, however, determined Ottawa’s keeper got a piece of the pass forward.
Coach James O’Connor lauded Ballard for his patience continuing to work as a sub rather than starter — at least for now.
“Richard has done tremendously well,” O’Connor said. “He’s someone we have a lot of belief in. For us, it’s great to have somebody like that who can come off the bench and cause so many problems.
“…It’s a process with Richard and all the players with their development. He’s at the earliest stage, and he’s done well playing the role we’ve asked him to play at the moment.”
