Appalachian FC vs Bristol Rhythm AFC: Grit, Rain, and a Heated Rivalry in the NPSL
On May 31, I photographed the NPSL matchup between Appalachian FC and Bristol Rhythm AFC at Gene Malcolm Stadium in Bristol, Virginia. I was there covering the game for Appalachian, and let me tell you, this one had everything. Rain, rivalry, and plenty of emotion.
The match started off under steady rain. The pitch was slick, passes skipped a little too fast, and tackles got heavy quick. You could tell both teams wanted this one bad.
As the rain cleared and the sun broke through, the tempo didn’t slow down. It actually ramped up. Fans were into it. The stands were packed and noisy. By the time the lights came on and the game moved into the evening, things got heated. Players were getting physical, shoving on nearly every restart, and chirping each other all over the field. It was aggressive, and honestly, it made for some great images.
Bristol pulled out the win with a final score of 2–1. Appalachian pushed hard to equalize late in the game, but Bristol’s defense locked things down when it mattered. Great soccer. Great energy. Great atmosphere.
I’m based in Damascus, Virginia, and I cover live sports, events, and brand content across Southwest Virginia and the Tri-Cities. Whether it’s soccer, corporate events, or community events, I focus on documenting the action and emotion in real time. Teams and leagues need more than just snapshots. They need consistent, high-quality visuals that help them grow their brand, connect with fans, and tell their story the right way.
If you’re part of a team, league, media outlet, or sports organization that needs dependable coverage, let’s talk. I’m local, experienced, and I know how to deliver.
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Covering Bristol, Abingdon, Johnson City, Kingsport, and more
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