Angel City FC’s Karsyn Cherry didn’t have a lot of time for nerves, but that didn’t stop them from arriving before Sunday’s home game against Racing Louisville FC.
The reason?
Cherry, 22, was set to make her first professional start.
“There was a lot going on,” the defender said Wednesday. “I think there was a lot of nerves, excitement, a little bit hectic. I found out (about starting) the day before, so luckily it was the day before, not like the day of type of thing. I was just really happy, really nervous … had to figure out how to hone all those emotions in, but it was really exciting.
“I told my mom the day that I found out and she hopped on a flight the morning of the game and was able to here, so I was really excited for that and it also gave me a little bit of comfort knowing that I had someone in the crowd for me.”
Cherry signed with Angel City after a four-year career at the University of Louisville. She was slowed during training camp with a hamstring injury. She eventually made her professional debut as a late sub in a loss to the North Carolina Courage on May 31.
“I actually trained with Racing Louisville, a little bit before my senior year at Louisville,” Cherry said. “Coming here, it’s a completely new environment. The girls were unbelievable and welcoming me and making me feel like I belonged here. Unfortunately, I did get hurt, so I had a little bit of a unique start to my rookie year, but I battled back and worked my way back.
“I was super blown away by the management (at Angel City) and their vision for where the club was going to go and my part in where it was going to go. I was just super excited about the chatter around the club, where they’re taking women’s soccer and I just felt like I had to be part of it.”
Cherry admitted to having to adjust to the life of a professional.
“The biggest adjustment for me is ‘no one’s coming to save you’ type of mindset,” she said. “This is the job now, everyone’s not holding hands anymore. You really have to advocate for yourself and you have to have a sense of belief that you belong here. You’ve put the work in to get here, so you just have to make it count when you get the opportunity.”
Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games.
“I think we gave her a tough challenge,” ACFC interim coach Leif Smerud said. “Playing with relatively short notice and in a new position (at left back). I think she dealt with that in a good way. As a young player, getting the first game and also the way the game went, I think she can take away good stuff and some things she can improve. We had a good talk (Tuesday) and she’s a learner and that’s really good.”
Cherry and Angel City (7-7-1, 22 points) face a big test Saturday in Kansas City. The Current (9-7-1, 28 points) already have more losses this season than the last two seasons combined (six), but they’re dominant at home. The Current is 7-0-1 at CPKC Stadium this season and has a 25-game home unbeaten streak (21-0-4).
In their last meeting, Angel City snapped a four-game losing streak against the Current with a 2-1 win May 20 at BMO Stadium.
ANGEL CITY FC (7-7-1, 22 points) at KANSAS CITY CURRENT (9-7-1, 28 points)
When: 3:30 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: CPKC Stadium; Kansas City, Missouri
How to watch: ION