A key contributor during Louisville City FC’s inaugural season is back in the United Soccer League.
Midfielder Juan Guzman has signed with the USL Western Conference’s OKC Energy FC, the club announced Thursday, returning Guzman to the United States after a season with Patriotas Boyaca in Colombia’s first division.
Guzman appeared in 29 games, logged 2,434 minutes and scored one goal for LouCity in 2015. The 28-year-old Charlotte, N.C., native also has experience playing for his hometown club in the USL.
“In this re-building phase for our team, it’s important to bring in someone with experience like Guzman,” said Energy FC coach Jimmy Nielsen. “He will be one of those guys on the team that everyone can rely on. Good game experience. Good leadership. He will play an important role on and off the field.”
Kelly becomes Reno’s first addition
The USL’s all-time leading scorer will remain in the Western Conference next year as Dane Kelly, who scored the majority of his 48 goals for the Charleston Battery, has signed with expansion side Reno 1868 FC. The native Jamaican spent last season with the USL runner-up Swope Park Rangers.
“He has a lot of USL experience and definitely has a nose for the goal,” said Reno coach Ian Russell.
Kelly’s signing marked the first for Reno before the club also announced the additions of Canadian U-23 member Jordan Murrell along with Brenton Griffiths and Matthew LaGrassa.
Rowdies add more experience
While a newcomer to the USL, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have showcased their staying power in American soccer by signing 10 players with a combined 24 seasons of experience with the club for 2017.
The latest two additions announced this week were defender Tamika Mkandawire, Tampa’s captain last season, and goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who has made 82 appearances for the Rowdies.
“He’s a veteran of the game that leads by example and keeps everything ticking on the field,” said Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell, adding of Pickens, “Matt brings us consistency at a very important position on the field.”
Ottawa returns a legend on staff
The other (so far) announced newcomer to the USL Eastern Conference for 2017, Ottawa Fury FC, will have back assistant coaches Bruce Grobbelaar and Jed Davies next year. The news comes on the heels of Ottawa’s partnership with Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact.
Grobbelaar, a legendary Liverpool goalkeeper, “is a real character off the field, he livens up the locker-room and the players love him,” said head coach Paul Dalglish. “On the field, his resume speaks for itself. The guy has won so many trophies and he probably forgot more about football than I’ll ever know, so to have him back is huge.”
Davies, back for a second season, also has international experience.
