LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC announced on Thursday the appointment of John Hackworth as the club’s Sporting Director and Head Coach, with the current U.S. Men’s U17 National Team Head Coach having signed a contract through the 2022 season.

“I am honored and humbled but mostly just excited to join Louisville City FC,” said Hackworth. “It is an opportunity to join one of the most prominent clubs in this country and work with a fantastic group of people who are like-minded in their approach to achieving success in every area we can.

“I would like to thank John Neace, Tim Mulloy, Mike Mountjoy, Brad Estes, and the whole of the LouCity ownership group for the trust and faith they are offering me to lead this team in the future. What the Club has achieved to this point is remarkable and I will look to build on the winning mentality and culture that has already been established.”

A former Head Coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer between 2012-14, Hackworth led the U.S. U17 National Team to the Quarterfinals of the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup in India before falling to eventual champion England. He has also served this year as an assistant to current U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Dave Sarachan.

“We are delighted to announce John as our new coach,” said Louisville Chairman John Neace. “He has built an impressive coaching career to this point and we are excited by his obsession with winning and developing players. He embodies the commitment we all have for the Club and we look forward to the impact of his work as we fulfill our shared ambitions in the years to come.”

An experienced coach at the national level, Hackworth’s career with U.S. Soccer began in 2002 when he first served as an assistant to then-U.S. U17 Men’s National Team head coach John Ellinger. Hackworth would go on to succeed Ellinger and lead the U17’s to finishes in the quarterfinals of the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup and Round of 16 in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Following his time in charge of the U-17’s, Hackworth also served as the inaugural Technical Director of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

“Hack comes in with an impressive amount of experience and success throughout his career and has helped develop and shape the abilities of some of our country’s most exciting prospects,” said Louisville President Brad Estes. “Those that know him have applauded his coaching acumen, but his character is what we are most excited about as we take Louisville City FC forward.”

Outside of his time with U.S. Soccer, Hackworth’s experience extends to both the collegiate and professional levels of the game. He began as an assistant coach for the Wake Forest University women’s and men’s teams in 1993 and 1994. Hackworth was then named the head coach at the University of South Florida in 1998, where he led the Bulls to two NCAA Tournament Appearances.