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Louisville Already Preparing for Title Defense

By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 11/21/17, 12:28PM EST

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With large contingent returning, O’Connor is still searching to improve


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As recently as Louisville City FC claimed the 2017 USL Cup, the plans for a title defense have already begun with Head Coach James O’Connor getting no time to rest as he looks to build his squad for 2018.

Speaking to the media on Monday, O’Connor closed out the 2017 season laying out how he will take the club forward following the success of the past year.

“It’s been very enjoyable but obviously very busy in getting through player meetings and recruitment for next year,” said O’Connor. “So, it’s been hectic and tends to get busy in the offseason as well but it’s been nice. It’s been satisfying.”

Two key parts of the team for Louisville throughout 2017 have been defender Tarek Morad and midfielder Guy Abend. Those two players were both out of contract following the season, but while the club has begun contract negotiations with the pair, the question of whether they’ll remain alongside the 16 players already announced as retained for the 2018 season is as yet unanswered.

“Yeah, I mean two great players for us,” said O’Connor. “We’ve had initial contact with Tarek and Guy and obviously they’re free to talk to other clubs but in my mind, it’s doubtful both guys return but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.”

The fact that 16 players will return has created stability going into Louisville’s title defense in the 2018 season which means there are relatively few holes that O’Connor needs to fill this offseason. Given the potential departures of Morad and Abend, it was no surprise when he identified which areas could need additions for next year.

“If you look at center back, I believe that becomes a priority for us. I think holding mid,” said O’Connor. “We need to sit down and see who’s available and where we think we can get some guys in that could maybe help us. I think the pleasing aspect is that we’ve been able to get 16 [players] under contract and have them return.”

The hunt for those players has already started, with the scouting work done and O’Connor and his staff running the rule over some players already. Both international and USL players are options in the eye of the Irish Head Coach, who has led Louisville to a top-two finish in the Eastern Conference in each of the club’s first three seasons.

“For us, we look everywhere,” said O’Connor. “There are a couple of international guys that we’re looking at. There’s guys in the USL and guys lower down; there’s such a big net that we go fishing in – I think that’s the best way to describe it.

“The biggest thing for us is finding guys that fit the criteria technically, tactically, and then character-wise. It becomes quite a number of boxes that need to be checked. We feel that we’ve got a strong group and now it’s about maintaining the quality of the group that we have.”


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC

Winning the USL Cup will no doubt bring plenty of players into Louisville City FC looking to defend that title. But O’Connor was keen to point out that there is more to attract players to the team than just a piece of silverware.

“The championship helps,” he said. “I mean I think the fact that we’ll have a new stadium in a couple of years will be a real selling point and becomes really attractive to players, that will help. But obviously when you have a championship, that will definitely encourage players to come towards you.”

With the offseason now a week old, O’Connor and his staff are ensuring there will be no resting on their laurels as the work to become the first team to defend the USL Cup begins. 

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