Louisville City FC on Tuesday announced the signing of Sean Totsch, a former standout for the Rochester Rhinos who won the league title with the United Soccer League club in 2015.
Totsch, a defender and midfielder from Oswego, Ill., adds to a strong returning core at his position. Terms of his contract, which is pending USSF approval, were not disclosed.
“He’s versatile – can play center mid, center back, full back – and obviously he’s been a part of a team that won a championship,” said LouCity Coach James O’Connor. “We feel that he’s a bit of a sleeper. He’s off the radar a little bit, but he has good quality. He possesses the attributes we want, so we’re happy to bring him here.”
Since turning professional, Totsch joined the Rhinos for most of the year before playing during the winter for the Milwaukee Wave, a professional indoor team. Totsch will leave the Wave next month to join LouCity’s preseason training.
“I hope to bring level of calmness on the ball, range of passing and technical ability along with all the physical tools needed,” said Totsch, who in 2015 with Rochester was part of a defense that allowed just 0.54 goals per game.
“You need to know on a daily basis if you’re making strides toward becoming a championship team or not,” he added. “You need to know standards and whether people are exceeding them or if you need to make adjustments. Knowing what it takes to be a champion is one of the biggest things a player can bring to a team.”
Totsch started all four years at NCAA Division I Northern Illinois University, where as a senior he also served as team captain. The Rhinos then signed him to his first contract out of an invitation-only tryout.
Last year, Totsch totaled 1,500 minutes in 22 appearances. He scored 1 goal on 9 shots, placing 7 of them on frame.
Totsch will provide depth along a LouCity back line that returns regular starters Kyle Smith, Paco Craig, Sean Reynolds and Tarek Morad. O’Connor also recently signed Sean Russell, another versatile defender and midfielder.
O’Connor has in all now 16 players under contract with the 2017 season approaching. With the league recently sanctioned Division 2 by U.S. Soccer, the USL will kick off from March 24-26 with a full schedule to be released in the coming weeks.
