By: Caden Charpentier
Week by week, 22-year-old rookie Josh Jones is making his presence known in the defensive third for Louisville City FC.
Don’t look now, but Jones, a product of the University of Louisville, is emerging into an essential piece for LouCity as it heads toward the season’s business end.
So much so that he landed a place on the USL Championship Team of the Week for his performance in LouCity’s 4-1 win over North Carolina FC this past Saturday.
Despite his youth and inexperience at this level, Jones has earned the trust of the Louisville coaching staff.
The North Carolina game saw the center back make his fourth-straight start in purple. It’s a run that began just after City suffered its first league defeat of the season at North Carolina FC back on June 20. The current league leaders have posted a 3-0-1 mark during this span while netting 10 goals compared to three conceded and recording one shutout.
“This is what I’ve dreamed about doing ever since I was a little kid,” Jones said. “Now, to finally be starting some matches and playing some meaningful minutes, it’s been really cool. I think (it’s) a big step in my career individually.”
Jones, a former UofL captain, penned his first professional contract on January 16 with the boys in purple. The Pennsylvania native spent four years as a Cardinal, tallying just over 5,900 minutes and earning All-ACC First Team honors in consecutive campaigns (2023 and 2024).
As a rookie transitioning into the professional game, Jones has learned a lot from the club’s group of veteran defenders: “They’ve been crucial in my development since day one. Kyle (Adams), (Sean) Totsch, Arturo (Ordoñez), those guys have been immense (in) helping me, pushing me each and every day.”
In these last four matches, the club’s No. 24 has defined what it means to be a defensive stalwart, acting as that rock in the middle of a back three. Louisville, which gave up multiple goals in consecutive matches leading up to Jones’ second career start, hasn’t allowed more than one goal in a league game since he became a regular.
“He has been tremendous,” said Cruz. “… Defensively solid, strong in the back, quality with the ball at his feet. Also not easy to do as in your first year as a pro and the expectations that come with being a Louisville City player, but he’s taken it in stride.”
Now, add in his long throw abilities, which can shift games by generating scoring opportunities seemingly out of nowhere, and Jones’ value becomes even more evident. Jones’ towering throws have set up multiple goals in the last month-plus, including the first two goals at Loudoun United FC in June and the winner against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on July 4.
He also seems to be taking a step forward each time out. Jones has experienced an increase in his total duels won each week since his June 25 start at Loudoun. He’s gone from three to a season-high 14, which he registered last time out versus NCFC.
Overall, the rookie center back has won 33 duels in his last 360 league minutes — second most for LouCity in that period behind Kevon Lambert. In another notable defensive statistic, clearances, Jones leads the club with 26 over the same stretch. Jones’ composure in the distribution phase has been another standout part of this game, eclipsing an 82% pass accuracy in three out of his last four starts.
“I feel like my confidence level is high right now,” Jones said. “I’m feeling really good out there. I think I said it before, but each day, each game, I feel like I’m getting better. I feel like my confidence is growing. I feel like the guys around me are helping me tremendously and I think that is obviously showing on the field.”
