A few of Louisville City FC’s United Soccer League rivals announced the return of key pieces for 2017 this week as the offseason entered full swing.
The Ottawa Fury, a newcomer from the North American Soccer League, will have back both its top scorer and longest-tenured player in Carl Haworth as the club joins the USL’s Eastern Conference. In addition to Haworth, Ottawa will return its goalkeeper Andrew McRae.
“It’s been an amazing experience with Ottawa Fury FC — one filled with many highlights and memorable moments,” said Haworth, who was named the Fury’s 2016 Player of the Year. “I am excited to be returning next year to represent the club and our amazing fans and I look forward to this new chapter in the USL.”
Elsewhere, Orlando City B, the No. 8 seed in the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs, showed signs of a major shift in its look for next year. While captain Lewis Neal and four others were secured for 2017, the club declined options on 10 players, including goalkeeper Mark Ridgers.
Said Orlando coach Anthony Pulis: “Our goal is to build a solid roster for next year that will allow us to not only continue being competitive, but also develop young players for the Club’s future success.”
LouCity could announce its first set of roster moves as early as next week.
USL Awards
The USL has used this week to announce its individual awards from the 2016 season, with the regular-season and playoff champion New York Red Bulls II raking in the majority of them: Coach of the Year (John Wolyniec), Rookie of the Year (Brandon Allen) and defender of the Year (Aaron Long). The other individual honor announced so far, for Goalkeeper of the Year, went to FC Cincinnati’s Mitch HIldebrandt.
The league’s most Valuable Player will be revealed Friday. Finalists are Allen, Cincinnati’s Sean Okoli and the Charlotte Independence’s Enzo Martinez.
Coaching changes
Another former USL coach has made the step up to Major League Soccer, following last week’s appointment of Rio Grande Valley FC’s Wilmer Cabrera to the Houston Dynamo. Brian Schmezter, the 2002 USL Coach of the Year who led Seattle Sounders FC to a pair of championships prior to the club’s MLS move, will return to that post.
