Huntsville City FC edges Philadelphia 4-3 on penalty kicks in home opener

HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville City FC missed the playoffs in its first two seasons, but that could change for the Major League Soccer Next Pro expansion club if the home opener is any indication of things to come.

Huntsville City overcame a 2-1 deficit, getting a late tying goal to force a shootout against Philadelphia Union II in Saturday’s match at Wicks Family Field. The Boys in Blue sent 3,512 fans home happy with a 4-3 win on penalty kicks.

The season got under way with two road games, a decisive 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC II followed by a narrow 1-0 loss to Chattanooga FC. Huntsville City halted an 0-6 run in shootouts dating back to its inaugural 2023 season.

“Going to a shootout is about emotional control,” coach Chris O’Neal said. “The key for us is we’re starting quick, then being able to respond when we’re down.”

Goalkeeper Erik Lauta came up with the save of the match and captain Blake Bowen had the clinching penalty kick during the shootout round.

Lauta came off the goal-line early to negate a PK save on Markus Anderson, who tried the same hesitation move on his subsequent bid. That time, however, Lauta hung back and made a two-hand block to preserve the dramatic victory.

“(Anderson) caught me on the first one, but I was able to get him on the second one,” said Lauta, who had eight saves in regulation including a pair of point-blank shots.

Afterward, Lauta and the coach lauded local fans for their enthusiastic support, notably when they did their best to district opposing players during the shootout.

“We have the best fans in the league and playing here is so much fun,” the keeper said.

“It was a fun game,” O’Neal said. “I think it was a little too entertaining from our perspective. The energy that (fans) provided gives us an extra lift. It’s incredible to have them back us, from the first whistle to the end.”

Christian Koffi got Huntsville FC on the scoreboard against Philadelphia in the sixth minute by finishing off a give-and-go with Damien Barker John. That gave the dynamic midfielder, who scored twice against his former team Chicago, three goals in three games.

Philadelphia got the equalizer when Sal Olivas stuffed a through ball from Isaiah LeFlore into the net. Union II went ahead 2-1 in the second half with 15-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, who earlier clanked a blast off the right post, converting a cross from Christopher Olney Jr.

Huntsville City got the tying goal when Barker John bounced in a backdoor header off Alan Carleton’s high cross from the left side. Both teams had chances in the waning minutes and the Boys in Blue nearly won it when Wyatt Meyer’s low shot banked off the right post.

As for the optimistic outlook from players, coaches and management alike, the reasons are twofold — 16 new players were signed in the offseason and there is a culture change that began late last year.

“We want to win this year,” said director of soccer operations Matt Kairns, noting that the philosophies of Huntsville City and Nashville SC, a notch above in MLS, are more compatible.

O’Neal, who coached the Boys in Blue to a 5-4 record after taking over the helm late last season, concurred.

“We’re very much aligned with the first team,” he said, adding that there is plenty to build on with a young group of players ranging from ages 17-25.

Huntsville City, which plays 28 games in the regular season, won just eight games last year and nine in its inaugural season.