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Louisville City FC will tune up for the 2017 United Soccer League slate with four preseason games against a combination of college and professional opponents, the club announced Tuesday.

After a two-week trip in February to train at the world-class IMG Academy, LouCity’s preseason opens with a March 4 game against Young Harris College. The boys in purple will then compete with Lipscomb University (March 8), the University of Kentucky (March 15) and the Indy Eleven (March 18) before opening USL play the weekend of March 24-26.

LouCity’s regular-season schedule will soon be released by the USL.

“The biggest thing about preseason is base fitness — getting our foundation in place,” said Coach James O’Connor. “After that, you want to get through games injury-free. It’s such a critical part of the year. People tend to underestimate the value of preseason.

“You obviously want to try to win the games, but in preseason it’s important to see the patterns you also want to see throughout the season. You’re trying to iron out individual needs as well as team needs and see where you are.”

• LouCity will kick off against NCAA Division II Young Harris at 11 a.m. March 4 on the club’s training ground at Thurman-Hutchins Park. Three current LouCity players — forward Ilija Ilic, midfielder Niall McCabe and defender Paco Craig — played collegiately for Young Harris, a fast-rising program based in north Georgia. The game is closed to the general public but open to the first 100 season ticket holders who RSVP. Email Director of Ticket Sales Dave Walkovic (dwalkovic@louisvillecityfc.com) to reserve your spot.

• LouCity will meet NCAA Division I Lipscomb at 7 p.m. March 8 at the Elizabethtown Sports Complex, 1401 West Park Road in Elizabethtown, Ky. The game is open to the public and admission will be free. From Nashville, Tenn., Lipscomb competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference, last year posting a 10-6-2 record on its way to making the league semifinals.

• For the third straight preseason, UK will host LouCity in a preseason game. Played at 7 p.m. March 15 inside the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex, the game is also free to attend and open to the public. The Wildcats, from Conference USA, fell by a 3-0 score to LouCity in 2016.

• LouCity will close its preseason slate by matching up with the North American Soccer League’s Indy Eleven at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) March 18 at the University of Evansville’s Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, Ind. Admission will cost $5 at the gate. LouCity topped Indy 1-0 during last year’s preseason before the Eleven went on to play in the NASL’s championship game.

Ahead of the 2017 United Soccer League season, Louisville City FC will again train at the prestigious IMG Academy, a Bradenton, Fla., facility with professional-grade fields, on-campus housing and warm-weather climate.

LouCity made the trip last year as well, launching a season that finished with a second-place USL finish and trip to the Eastern Conference Final. The club’s board of directors moved to send players south for the preseason after inclement weather coincided with the start of training two years ago.

“Going to Florida for the preseason gives us a great opportunity to build base fitness,” said LouCity Coach James O’Connor. “I think that was the biggest thing when I look at our first year, in 2015. Eight inches of snow made it problematic.

“Going to Florida, we know what kind of weather we’re going to get. We know the quality of the pitch. We know the equipment we can use. All of that allows us to put a structure in place.”

LouCity’s players are set to report back to Louisville later this month for physical testing. They’ll leave for IMG on Feb. 12 and return Feb. 25 to begin local training for the 2017 season, which opens the weekend of March 24-26.

At IMG, LouCity will have access to multiple fields – both indoor and outdoor – as well as a 65,000 square-foot performance center. Elite teams of specialists are available to assist with rehabilitation, weight training and mental conditioning.

“If you look at our injury prevention record, the last two years have been really good,” O’Connor said. “Part of the credit goes to the base fitness work we do. It’s high-intensity work with double sessions that first week every day. It needs to be done. It gives us insight into a few other things as well, because we begin to see aspects of players’ character. It all plays a part in what we’re trying to do.”

Since 1999, IMG has served as home to U.S. Soccer’s full-time residency program for the U-16 and U-17 men’s national teams. More than 300 players have participated, with at least 100 of them moving on to Major League Soccer or European leagues. Notable alumni include Landon Donovan, Demarcus Beasley, Tim Howard, Eddie Johnson and Michael Parkhurst.

Most days at IMG will begin with an early breakfast and 8 a.m. session, with more training at 4 p.m. Through the process, O’Connor’s also aiming to build team chemistry.

“People go on about team spirit and bonding,” he said. “One of the great ways to bond is when you’re working your butt off with your teammate. You earn a healthy respect for each other, because you went through such a difficult period.”

The USL is soon set to release the full 2017 schedule, which will include 16 LouCity home games at Louisville Slugger Field and 16 away. LouCity is finalizing its preseason slate of games as well.

The United Soccer League newcomer Tampa Bay Rowdies gained a significant piece of their attack on Friday, announcing the signing of forward Darwin Jones, a 24-year-old who spent the last two seasons within the Seattle Sounders’ organization.

Jones joined defender Damion Lowe and midfielder Leo Fernandes as additions to the roster this week.

“He can play either as a withdrawn second striker or in the wide areas as a winger,” said Rowdies Coach Stuart Campbell. “He’s quick and decisive, bringing plenty of quality to our attack.”

A University of Washington product, Jones grew up in Seattle and played for the Sounders’ PDL club while in college. He signed a homegrown contract with Seattle in 2015 and went on to score 7 goals in 19 USL appearances last season.

The Rowdies, who will play in the USL Eastern Conference along with Louisville City FC, now have 16 players on their roster, headlined by English great Joe Cole.

FC Cincinnati’s roster grows

LouCity’s River Cities Cup rival has announced five signings in the last week, among them former Louisville midfielder Aodhan Quinn, who served as the club’s team captain. Others signed were goalkeepers Dallas Jaye and Dan Williams, as well as defender Matt Bahner and forward Daryl Fordyce.

Quinn is the second former LouCity player to make the move to FC Cincinnati this offseason, joining winger Kadeem Dacres.

Jaye and Williams return as backups to starting goalie Mitch Hildebrandt. Matt Bahner moves from the Harrisburg City Islanders, for which he made 52 appearances over two years. Fordyce previously played for NASL side FC Edmonton, where he scored a club record 28 goals over the past four seasons.

Matt Bahner played for the University of Cincinnati before starting his professional career.

“We are excited to welcome Matt home to Cincinnati,” said Coach John Harkes. “It is something special to be able to play in front of your hometown fans, and we know Matt is looking forward to embracing this experience.”

City Islanders exercise option on DiPrima

The Harrisburg City Islanders announced this week the club has exercised its contract option on midfielder Danny DiPrima, who will enter his fourth season in 2017 having made 49 career appearances.

“Playing in front of my family, friends, and in my hometown is an extra drive to motivate me to help this club achieve its goals,” the Pennsylvania native said. “I’m looking forward to getting our season started.”

DiPrima helped the City Islanders reach the USL Cup Final in 2014, scoring the winning goal against the Richmond Kickers in the playoff semifinals. 

Steel FC signs Real 

Bethlehem Steel FC announced this week it has signed Philadelphia Union Academy standout Matthew Real, 17, to his first professional contract. Since 2015, Real has played nearly 30 matches across the U-18 and U-16 teams, scoring his first goal this season.

“Matthew proved last year that he can play at this level,” said Steel FC Head Coach Brendan Burke. “He is really good on the ball, and that jumps out when you see him play. He has a strong left foot to help balance out the team. He is a hardworking kid and never takes a play off and that is what we are looking for at Steel FC.” 

Real is the third player from the Philadelphia Union Academy to sign his debut contract with Steel FC, joining current Philadelphia Union players Derrick Jones and Auston Trusty.

Before stepping back on the pitch for the 2017 United Soccer League season, Louisville City FC Assistant Coach Daniel Byrd and players are offering the chance to play with the pros at a series of specialized sessions for local kids.

Signups are now open for LouCity’s Spring Youth Camps, which for $149 include four weekly, hour-long sessions as well as a replica home jersey, 10 percent off the club’s summer camps and two weeks of access to the Baptist Health Performance Training center.

“In the fall, myself and several of our pro players conducted a series of technical clinics for kids,” said Byrd, who’s back for his third season with LouCity Head Coach James O’Connor. “We limited the numbers to make sure each player received lots of attention and structured the training so it was position-specific in a smaller area to hone in on the technical aspects of the game.

“The camps were a huge success, and we really enjoyed helping the kids develop their game. It was great to see how quickly the sessions sold out. I’m sure this time it will be the same.”

Dates for the Spring Camps are all on Sundays — Feb. 26, March 5, March 12 and March 19 — at the Baptist Health Performance Training center located at 12101 Sycamore Station Place. Children ages 8-12 are eligible to sign up and train by position group.

From 4-5 p.m. each week, Byrd and LouCity players will work with defenders. From 5-6 p.m., it’s the midfielders’ turn. Forwards then go from 6-7 p.m.

Byrd, who has so far coached LouCity to consecutive second-place finishes in the quickly growing United Soccer League, previously worked for Orlando City SC’s youth squad and played collegiately for Johnson University in Tennessee from 2000-2004.

As for the perks, the home replica jerseys in purple normally retail at $70. Access to Baptist Health Performance Training (previously known as D1 Sports Training) includes up to six hour-long classes per week. From Monday-Friday, sessions are available at 4:30 and 7 p.m. for kids ages 12-15; those ages 7-11 can attend a 6 p.m. class.

Find the signup form for the club’s Spring Camps below. For more information, contact LouCity’s director of operations, Brandon Morris, at bmorris@louisvillecityfc.com.

Louisville City FC on Wednesday added to its attack for the upcoming season, announcing that former Richmond Kickers standout Brian Ownby has signed with the club for 2017.

Ownby, a University of Virginia product who started his professional career with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, scored 3 goals and generated 3 assists last season for the Kickers. Terms of the midfielder’s contract, which is pending USSF approval, were not disclosed.

“Brian is someone who has tremendous potential,” said LouCity Coach James O’Connor. “He possesses a lot of the attributes that I think are needed to play in the MLS, and it’s just a matter of putting it together. We think we can help him with that.

“We’re excited to get Brian on board. He gives us a bit of experience and pace. He’s someone who we think can have a strong year.”

Ownby made 29 appearances for the Dynamo between stints on loan with the Kickers and Pittsburgh Riverhounds who, as with LouCity, are members of the USL’s Eastern Conference.

In 2013, Ownby helped the Kickers to a USL title, posting 7 goals and 7 assists. Later under contract with his hometown team, the Richmond native tallied 5 goals and 4 assists for the Kickers in 2015 before an injury cut his season short in June.

Ownby then faced a difficult decision this offseason.

“I’m from Virginia and grew up watching the Kickers — they’ve done a lot for me the past few years — but I think it was just time to experience something else,” Ownby said. “I’m looking forward to playing in this city in front of new fans. Based on what I saw last year, Louisville City has such a good foundation, and they were so close to winning the championship. I hope to bring my best and win a title for Louisville.”

Selected in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, Ownby followed an All-Atlantic Coast Conference college career to the pros. He totaled 21 goals and 10 assists for Virginia and was a member of the school’s 2009 NCAA Championship-winning team.

Ownby cited his strength as “my one-on-one ability to take defenders on,” adding that, “I like to make my decision and go. I think that’s hard to defend against when someone’s confident. Maybe I won’t beat them every single time, but eight out of 10 times I can make a cross or open up something for someone else on the team.”

Ownby’s signing marks the fourth new addition to LouCity’s roster joining midfielder Devon “Speedy” Williams and a pair of versatile defenders/midfielders, Sean Russell and Sean Totsch. O’Connor also has under contract 13 returning players who helped LouCity to the 2016 USL Eastern Conference Final.

The USL will soon announce a schedule for the 2017 season, which opens the weekend of March 24-26. Season tickets and flex packages are now on sale at www.loucity.com/tickets, or by calling (502) 384-8799, extension 3.

Louisville City FC and iHeartMedia on Tuesday announced a landmark broadcast partnership for the 2017 pro soccer season including coverage of home and away games.

The broadcasts, which consist of pre-game and post-game programming, will air on NewsRadio 840 WHAS (WHAS-AM), Cards Radio 790 KRD (WKRD-AM) or Talk Radio 1080 (WKJK-AM). This marks the first full-season media rights agreement for LouCity as it joins other local iHeartMedia sports partners: the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Louisville Bats. 

Additionally, LouCity’s weekly Soccer City radio show, presented by Mulloy Commercial Real Estate, has been extended through the end of 2017. The program airs Saturdays on 790 KRD from 9-10 a.m.

“Soccer has taken this city by storm, and we’re excited to be a part of LouCity’s continued growth,” said iHeartMedia Sports Director Tony Vanetti.

T.J. Walker (play-by-play) and Jeff Milby (color commentary) will call the action on LouCity game broadcasts.

Walker, who announced the video broadcast of LouCity’s first-ever game in 2015, hosts a daily sports talk show on 1450 WXVW and covers University of Kentucky recruiting for Rivals.com.  Milby took official statistics for LouCity during its first two seasons and contributed to the club’s official website.

In addition to his duties on the broadcasts, Milby recently took over as host of Soccer City, an all-encompassing program that covers the game on local, national and world levels; its focus is on LouCity’s pursuit of a United Soccer League championship.

The new broadcast agreement also includes coverage of LouCity games on the iHeartRadio mobile app and expanded promotional announcements across several iHeartMedia radio stations.

“We’re pleased to partner with iHeartMedia to bring local broadcasts of all our USL games to the surrounding region,” said LouCity Chairman John Neace. “To join a lineup that includes University of Louisville and Kentucky athletics speaks to Louisville City FC’s rapid growth. We hope our fans take advantage of the broadcasts for increased coverage of the club and anticipate one day soon they’ll be coming to you live from a stadium of our own.”

LouCity’s league, the USL, was recently bumped to Division 2 status by U.S. Soccer, only one level below Major League Soccer. The club enters 2017 off back-to-back runs to the USL’s Eastern Conference Final and returned the core of a roster that was two wins from a championship.

The 32-game regular season starts the weekend of March 24-26 with the full USL schedule due out soon.

Former Louisville City FC midfielder Aodhan Quinn will take aim at defending his Goal of the Year title as the United Soccer League opens voting for the 2016 edition.

Quinn, who has signed with FC Cincinnati for the upcoming season, scored a free kick goal June 5 at Orlando City B that has him in contention for the award, which is determined by fan voting. He won what was then called Goal of the Season for another set piece strike in 2015, Quinn’s first season with LouCity.

A bracket elimination format will pair down 2016’s top goal from 16 contenders. Seven of the entrants earned their way into the bracket by being named Fans’ Choice Goal of the Month winners while the remaining nine slots were filled by Goal of the Month contenders that garnered the highest percentage of the vote despite ultimately falling short of the no. 1 spot.

Voting for the first round will continue through 9 a.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 23. Click here to fill out a ballot.