Kyle Smith, for much of the season Louisville City’s leader in minutes played, could have used the break anyway. But he viewed a recent three-game suspension doled out by the United Soccer League as more of a letdown to his Louisville City FC teammates.
“So I feel like I had to make up for that,” the defender said, and that’s what Smith has done with goals in back-to-back games since his return.
Smith scored a 55th-minute penalty kick Friday night to bring his last month full circle. He received a red card and suspension for a stoppage-time shove when LouCity visited Bethlehem Steel FC back in August. Smith’s goal equalized in the return game with Steel FC at Slugger Field.
The point earned from a 2-2 draw ended up crucial, as on Saturday other results around the league clinched LouCity’s trip to the USL Cup Playoffs.
“He gives us that option on the right,” winger Oscar Jimenez said of his counterpart. “He’s not going to stop working or fighting. It’s fun. We have a little connection going in practice and stuff. It’s good to have him back. We really missed him those three games, but the guys who filled in did well.”
Smith would rather not simply watch.
Voted the USL Midseason Defender of the Year, he’s totaled three goals to go with a pair of assists. His other recent goal came on a 43rd-minute strike Sept. 9 against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. With that, Smith ensured a stylish return to the lineup.
“We all know Kyle,” coach James O’Connor said, looking back at the red card. “He’s not that type to lose it. A lot of people have seen the tape. That wasn’t worth sending off— but unfortunate.”
Smith added: “I’m going out every game and just giving 100 percent.”
Just once, he went too far. Both Smith and Bethlehem’s Sekku Conneh were assessed suspensions by the USL in August. O’Connor’s confidence in one of his top players hasn’t waned.
With Steel FC causing delays on the run up to LouCity’s penalty Friday, O’Connor instructed Smith — rather than forward Luke Spencer, who held the ball — take the shot. The coach didn’t want Spencer overthinking the opportunity.
“I just wanted Kyle then to grab the ball and just take it and almost take the pressure off because I think when that happens, it felt like an eternity,” O’Connor said.
Smith, the right winger, scored minutes before Oscar Jimenez, the left winger, booted in a free kick. A day before LouCity solidified its playoff spot, Smith discussed the importance of twice rallying for a draw.
“If this happens in the playoffs, we have to make sure that we just stick to what we know,” Just stick to the process and do the things that coach tells us to do. And make sure that we never lose fight, never give up, and if we go down 2-0, 3-0, we can always come back. We can score five goals in a game. Just to make sure we never give up.”
