LEXINGTON, Ky. – Aboubacar Traore’s goal in the 56th minute proved monumental as Fort Wayne FC played a strong second half and emerged with a 1-1 draw against Lexington SC on Friday night at the Lexington Sporting Club Athletic Complex.
Fort Wayne FC, which won the Valley Division each of the last two seasons, is off to a 1-0-1 start.
“At halftime, we had a chance to get together and talk about our effort off the ball,” Fort Wayne FC coach Mike Avery said. “It’s a challenge in some ways with our team because we’re very talented on the ball, but sometimes we forget to defend. So we’ve got to remind them all the time about doing the work when the ball turns over, and winning it back.
“I thought that in the second half, we were fantastic and we did a lot better job in the midfield, closing the gaps and keeping the game in their end.”
Lexington SC is also 1-0-1.
“By the end of the game, we felt a little disappointed we didn’t win it because we had some really good chances to do so,” said Avery, whose club opened the USL League Two season with a 2-0 victory at the Dayton Dutch Lions on May 17. “The fight and resolve to get the really good point on the road against a good team, it’s OK, we’re going to take that.”
Fort Wayne FC next plays 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium against Kings Hammer FC Columbus. It’ll be Report Card Night and kids with an ‘A’ or equivalent grade on their report cards will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket on the day of the match.
The only goal allowed Friday by Fort Wayne FC came in the first half from Max Haberman, shortly after Fort Wayne’s goalkeeper, Aurie Briscoe, punched away a free kick from long range and his teammates were unable to clear the ball of the penalty area.
Traore’s equalizing goal came after he made a run down the left side of the field, then sent a shot beneath the goalkeeper and into the far side of the net.
“That goal came from our team talking at halftime,” Traore said. “We were saying that because I’m really fast, some of my teammates were saying I needed to make more runs and get behind (Lexington SC) and score. That’s what I did.
“It’s really going to help my confidence, it’s going to be a boost because that’s my first goal this season and I’m looking forward to scoring more. That’s going to help the whole team, too, in terms of how we’re going to improve.”
On May 31, Fort Wayne FC hosts Kings Hammer FC Columbus and it’ll be Mental Health Awareness & Healthcare Workers Night. Healthcare and Mental Health Professionals with proper identification or credentials can take advantage of a Buy One, Get One Free ticket offer on the day of the match.
To purchase advance tickets, visit: https://www.fortwaynefc.com/2025-schedule/.
