After an impressive performance amid his side’s 5-1 dominating win over Atlanta United FC 2, Pat McMahon earned the fans’ nod for Man of the Match.
Minutes before the break, McMahon’s left-footed strike doubled the Louisville City lead, proving to be the game-winner following a second-half goal from the visiting club.
“I stuck out my foot. It’s a lefty goal and I’m a righty, so I was lucky for that,” McMahon said on his strike. “But yeah, they told to make that third run just in case the ball squeezes through.”
Sure enough, the ball slipped through a crowded box finding McMahon who finished the set-piece. While his striking ability in the 18 was on display in the win, the Illinois native exhibited a 92 percent passing accuracy on 48 passes at right back.
“It’s kind of how soccer goes,” he added. “Just wait your turn, keep training hard, the opportunity comes and just run with it.”
Through the season’s trials and tribulations, McMahon spent much of the early goings fighting for a spot on the 18-man roster. That notion has changed thanks to several peak performances over the past two weeks.
“It’s more of just the mental challenges,” McMahon said. “Tuning in every day at training, doing your job, and you’ll get a shot.”
On top of a goal-scoring performance, McMahon said he was lucky enough to have some of his biggest fans attending the match to see one of the club’s best matches of the season.
“Actually, it was fortunate timing,” McMahon said. “My family came in town from Chicago, so it was nice to have a good game for them, and I guess I might have to invite them back next home game.
Up next for the Boys in Purple is a trip to MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, SC for a Saturday matchup with Charleston Battery. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
