Ilija Ilic watched most of Louisville City FC’s first two seasons from the bench, and he had little reason to complain. The boys in purple were often at or near the top of the USL Eastern Conference in goals scored as Ilic, a striker, battled for playing time.
“We have a really good team,” the native Serbian said. “You have to wait for opportunities. I waited for my opportunity for a long time.”
Now, Ilic seems to be getting it with starts in consecutive games for LouCity heading into Saturday’s matchup with FC Cincinnati. The rivals will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday inside Slugger Field, marking the second leg of the 2017 River Cities Cup.
Ilic made his first start of the year on June 3, contributing an assist to LouCity’s 4-4 draw against the Charleston Battery. He was also in coach James O’Connor’s lineup to open recent 2-1 win over Ottawa Fury FC and another draw with the Battery, in which Ilic scored LouCity’s goal in a 1-1 tie.
“He’s someone we’ve always been confident in and really, really enjoy working with,” O’Connor said.
Ilic said it “feels amazing” to get his chance as LouCity’s starting forward, a spot also occupied this year by Cameron Lancaster and Luke Spencer. Last time out, defender Sean Totsch put a header off the bar in them 27th minute, and Ilic played the rebound to equalize in a 1-1 draw.
The league followed up by honoring Ilic with a spot on its USL Team of the Week Bench.
“Ilija’s a guy who comes in every day and wants to work the hardest, and he pushes everyone to work just as hard as him,” said defender Oscar Jimenez.
Ilic, signed just before LouCity’s inaugural opener in 2015, came to the club with a reputation for scoring. He set Division II Young Harris College’s program mark for most points in a single season as he scored 27 goals as a senior. That season he was also recognized as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year.
College success didn’t immediately translate to professional playing time. In 2015, Matt Fondy scored 22 goals in 28 games for LouCity, going on to earn USL MVP. Chandler Hoffman stepped in the next year at the striker spot, finishing most of his 14 goals during the first half of the year.
Ilic still managed to knock in three goals in his first two seasons, and O’Connor didn’t see the forward waiver in his work ethic.
“He’s shown throughout his time here that he’s mentally tough,” the coach said. “Great team guy and great in the community. He’s someone I have a lot of respect for.”
Spending his first two seasons with LouCity as a backup, Ilic hasn’t wavered in work ethic or mentality. Ilic appeared in 19 games as a rookie in 2015 and 13 games in 2016, combining for three goals in his first two seasons.
“Coach wants us to work hard every training session — every game — and I try to work hard every single game and training session,” Ilic said. That’s why I think I deserve my chance.”
“In regard to his character and mentality, he’s a great example to the others and to us of what a team player is,” O’Connor added. “He’s also mentally tough. He’s shown throughout his time here that he’s mentally tough.”
Teammates have taken notice. Ilic’s starts have served as a feel good story in the locker room — a case of work rewarded for a guy they want to see on the field.
“Whether he plays or he doesn’t he has the same attitude,” Jimenez said. “He just wants the team to win and be successful. That’s what you want from a teammate.”
