CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On the dawn of his third season of professional soccer, Louisville City FC holding midfielder Aodhan Quinn has been handed the captain’s armband by head coach James O’Connor. The reigning USL Goal of the Season champion will lead LouCity into its second season with an opening match at Charlotte Independence at 7 p.m. on March 26.
“Out of a team of 23 capable leaders, Aodhan carries all the characteristics you want your captain to have,” O’Connor said. “He is an extension of the technical staff onto the pitch and he’s respected and admired by his teammates and opposition alike.”
Quinn, 24, started all 21 of his appearances in 2015 while scoring twice and assisting on another goal. His 1,833 minutes rank fourth among LouCity’s returning outfield players on the 2016 roster.
“It’s a big honor (to be chosen to wear the armband), obviously,” Quinn said. “I think I will take some things from Matt (Fondy), last year’s captain; he was a great leader. I take pride in being a leader on the field, but it makes everything so much easier when we have the great players that we have — we have 11 leaders on the field every time we line up.
“I take a lot of pride in being a connection from James to the team. I am ready to be that man.”
For Quinn, the captaincy is not a completely foreign role. He was captain of the University of Akron as a senior in 2013 that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. As a junior, in 2012, he played on a Zips team with current U.S. Men’s National Team midfielders Deandre Yedlin and Wil Trapp under the guidance of MLS Cup-holding coach Caleb Porter.
The son of former Everton and USMNT midfielder Brian Quinn, Aodhan was selected 52nd overall by the Philadelphia Union in 2014 but joined Orlando City SC in USL after not signing. With Orlando, the then-rookie Quinn helped Orlando City win the 2014 USL championship alongside O’Connor in the midfield.
After an unbeaten 2016 preseason, Louisville City FC will open the USL regular season against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday. The 2016 season will kick off at Charlotte’s Ramblewood Soccer Complex at 7 p.m.
Last season, LouCity played against the Independence twice. The Charlotte outfit defeated the first-year club, 1-0, in Charlotte, while LouCity defeated Charlotte in a rematch at Louisville Slugger Field, 1-0.
Entering 2016, Louisville City FC has returned 13 players from the 2015 roster — including former English Premier League striker Cameron Lancaster. New additions include MLS Cup-winning forward Chandler Hoffman, University of Louisville alumnus Paolo DelPiccolo and University of Kentucky alumnus George Davis IV.
Following the season opener on March 26 at Charlotte, LouCity will return to Louisville Slugger Field on April 2 to host New York Red Bulls II in the home opener, with a special 3 p.m. kickoff.
Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.
