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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.

The United Soccer League’s Eastern Conference will contain one less threat this season as Christian Volesky, the Rochester Rhinos’ leading scorer last season, this week signed with Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kanas City.

Sporting acquired Volesky’s rights in a trade with a Portland Timbers, the club that drafted him but for which he never played. His one-year deal includes options through 2020.

The forward scored 18 goals in the past two seasons with the Rhinos and helped them win the 2015 USL Cup.

“Christian is a player who fits many of the characteristics we are looking for in our team,” said Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes. “He is a young, hungry player who we’ve followed closely over the past two years and who we feel can give us depth in a position of need.”

Independence re-sign Spies

The Charlotte Independence announced on Tuesday that midfielder David Spies, a dual citizen of Germany and the United States has re-signed with the club for 2017.

Spies joined the Independence in September after a stint with FC Ausburg – a member of Germany’s top-level Bundesliga — but didn’t see the pitch. Still, Coach Mike Jeffries thinks his fast playing style should impact the club during the 2017 season.

“He is a very fast, athletic player in terms of his physical qualities,” Jeffries said. “But more importantly, he’s very fast in terms of his tactical decisions and ability to move off the ball.”

Spies didn’t log minutes in a Bundesliga game but did see action in multiple friendlies with FC Ausburg.

“To train with players from the Bundesliga was very special for me,” he said. “I learned faster and more effectively having teammates that played at a high level.”

Ottawa Fury FC signs two

USL newcomer Ottawa Fury FC announced on Tuesday it has signed former Young Player of the Year Finalist Ramon Martin Del Campo for the 2017 season.  Del Campo, a center back and fullback, comes to Ottawa after spending last season on loan with the North American Soccer League’s Puerto Rico FC.

In 2016, he appeared in 16 games, going 90 minutes in every appearance.

On Thursday, the club also signed former Ottawa Fury PDL midfielder Jonathan Barden, who spent the last two seasons playing in the Icelandic Premier League with the Vestmannaeyjar, appearing in 38 games.

Riverhounds make three additions

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced this week they’ve signed defender Adewole, goalkeeper Trey Mitchell and midfielder Stephen Okai, giving the club 23 players on its 2017 roster.

Adewole joins the Hounds after attending NCAA Division I George Washington University, where he tallied 5 goals and 5 assists in 64 appearances over four seasons. Mitchell spent time last year as a “Pool Goalkeeper” with Sporting KC. And Okai is back in Pittsburgh for a third season; there, he has 1 goal and 4 assists in 46 appearances.

City Islanders keep Dabo

The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Tuesday that midfielder Mouhamed Dabo will remain with the club in 2017.

Dabo joined the City Islanders last year after a three-year stint with Italian club Inter Milan. Dabo was a key player for the City Islanders after he returned from an injury suffered early in the season making 21 appearances.

Dabo is the second player to officially return to the City Islanders roster for the 2017 season, joining Jamaican midfielder Paul Wilson.

USL President Jake Edwards welcomed the U.S. Soccer Federation’s decision to grant the league provisional Division 2 sanctioning last Friday in an extensive interview this week with the United States of Soccer’s Jason Davis on SiriusXM FC.

“We feel very good about the board’s decision,” Edwards told Davis. “We submitted the strongest application they’ve ever received for sanctioning for a league at the Division 2 level. We felt very good about the work that we’ve gone through over the last 12 months and that our clubs have gone through over the last 12-to-18 months with the application we’ve put in.

“We have full belief that the federation’s decision is a real validation of all of the work that has gone on in the USL over the last few years in terms of where we’ve come from and the strategic plan of where we’re going and the various initiatives that we’re working on.”

As part of the extensive application, Edwards said the league also provided a roadmap to address any items identified by the federation as it works toward removing the provisional tag from the league’s sanctioning. 

“We’re the first league to ever [submit a clear plan] with timelines and deliverables. The clubs have put all of that together, so for now we must execute on that,” said Edwards.

“We are 100 percent focused on our league and what we have to do to move [it] forward over the next few years,” Edwards said. “That’s all we’ve done over the last few years, focus on building a sustainable, quality league with great clubs and strong local ownership groups. [Division 2 sanctioning] is a validation of everything that we’ve done to date, and we have to keep focusing on what we’re doing to ensure the long-term and continued success of the USL.”

The league and its teams will benefit from the Division 2 sanctioning in the build-up to the new season.

“We know there’s going to be an effect on revenue streams, commercial activity, media rights, and sponsorship value in the local marketplace as well as on the national scale for the league,”   Edwards said. “Not only is it a validation of the investment the owners have made into infrastructure, into stadiums, academies, training grounds – all of those great things we want to see happening to get sustainable clubs. They’re also going to see over time, some real increases on the revenue and value side, and the opportunity when they’re in the marketplace for the commercial and the media deals that they’re working on.

“From a league point of view, I’ve actually had a number of interesting calls [Tuesday] morning from various commercial and potential media partners, so for us it does have an impact on what we’re doing on a national scale as well as some international rights conversations we’re having at the moment.”

With the addition of Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the league this season, and Nashville SC set to join in 2018, the league is also aiming to announce additional markets for expansion in the coming months.

“It is extremely important that we bring professional soccer to markets, and do so in the most responsible way we can,” said Edwards. “It’s about identifying the right markets, making sure we have the right ownership groups in those markets that are committed to building those stadiums, showcasing the sport and the event for the fans and the players in the right way, in the right environment, investing in the future, in youth development programs.

“As a league it is our responsibility to continue marketing, promoting, working with commercial and media partners to grow and showcase the sport, bringing attention to these communities. We continue to significantly invest in the league infrastructure to make that happen – but it’s really about identifying the right folks on the ground and the right owners, and putting the right executives together, and I think we’ve done a very good job of that over the last few years.”

With the introduction of a number of new league-wide initiatives for 2017 – including the full launch of USL Productions – Edwards believes there is a lot to look forward to in the upcoming year for which the federation’s decision has provided a platform.

“I think off the back of the Division 2 vote, it gives us the platform now to move forward with some of the more exciting initiatives,” said Edwards. “We’ve got a major broadcast initiative this year that we’re launching to take control of the production of the almost 500 games this season. We’ll be expanding our media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and providing a wealth of data and analytics with Opta.

“We’ve got three new clubs joining the league, and we’ll be announcing shortly the next cluster of clubs coming in for the ’18 and ’19 seasons, opening a few new soccer-specific stadiums, and rolling out a couple of other initiatives this year such as our new CSR platform, the USL foundation. There’s going to be a lot happening this year that we’ve been working on for some time, but certainly I think the Division 2 sanctioning gives us a real strong platform to bring those programs out.”

To kick off a series of benefits exclusive to season ticket holders, Louisville City FC will on Jan. 25 host a question and answer session with Coach James O’Connor and select players. Presented by Falls City Beer and Old 502 Wine, the event will take place in the Loft at Over the 9, the tavern located at 120 S. 10th Street.

From 5-6 p.m., season ticket holders are invited to a happy hour with two drink tickets available per attendee thanks to presenting sponsors. Questions will then open from 6-7 p.m. before fans have the chance to meet-and-greet players.

With space limited, season ticket holders are asked to RSVP by Jan. 19 by emailing Dave Walkovic, director of ticket sales, at dwalkovic@louisvillecityfc.com.

“I’m excited to meet our season ticket holders and give them an opportunity to ask the questions they want about our club,” said O’Connor, who’s entering his third season as LouCity’s coach. “As this new round of season ticket holder benefits begins, I’m looking forward to the greater access fans are going to have to both myself and the players.”

New this year, season ticket holders will soon receive a membership card opening up other opportunities for experiences and discounts through club partners.

In addition to drink tickets, Over the 9 will offer a pair of specials for $3 select pints of Falls City Beer and $4 select glasses of Old 502 Wine. Appetizer samplers will be available in the loft, and supporters can enter to win a number of LouCity door prizes along with a $50 Over The 9 gift card.

Those who purchase season tickets between now and Jan. 25 are also eligible to attend. Passes to all 16 of LouCity’s 2017 home games start at just $180 and include a number of perks, among them a team scarf and a discount on all club merchandise. Visit www.loucity.com/tickets or call (502) 384-8799 for more information.

Louisville City FC midfielder Niall McCabe detailed the two-plus hours per day it takes him to rehab from offseason hip surgery — including use of an anti-gravity treadmill — plus looked ahead to the 2017 season this week in an appearance on Barrel Proof Episode 99.

“It’s not fun, but it’s worth it,” McCabe said of the work.

The appearance marked McCabe’s third on Barrel Proof, the official podcast of LouCity’s largest supporters group, The Louisville Coopers.

The crew covered plenty of ground in less than an hour. Listen in the player below or on The Coopers’ website.

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.

The 2016 season saw the USL record a total attendance of almost 1.5 million for 29 teams, a 33 percent increase from 2015. The league has more than doubled in size since 2014 and has built a stable, highly-competitive professional soccer league positioned for long-term success. The USL enters the 2017 season with three new teams, and has announced Nashville SC as joining the league in 2018. Additional expansion announcements are expected in the near future.

On the heels of Louisville City FC’s open tryouts held last month, coach James O’Connor and his assistant, Daniel Byrd, jetted West over the weekend to evaluate a new batch of players.

The LouCity duo is observing games at the MLS Combine in Los Angeles through Wednesday while attending a number of United Soccer League meetings geared toward technical staffs. If there’s time, they’d also like to visit with returning defender Tarek Morad, a California native.

“It’ll be a busy few days,” O’Connor said.

Standouts from the University of Louisville (Michael DeGraffenreidt), University of Kentucky (Napo Matsoso) and Indiana University (Billy McConnell, Tanner Thompson) were among the more than 50 college players invited to participate in the combine. It’s run conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s convention.

“The MLS Combine is difficult for us because, obviously, you have all the MLS teams with preference,” O’Connor said. “A lot of them will either take players for their rosters or for their second team — MLS 2 teams. For us, it’s a case of going, being aware of the players who may go under the radar.”

Those not selected Jan. 13 in the upcoming MLS SuperDraft could be invited to an invitation tryout later this month in Louisville. Or, in the case of a few players signed in the past by LouCity, observed may become prospects down the road if they part from an MLS club.

“We had some players this year who I can recall from two and three years ago watching their (Premier Development League) games,” O’Connor said. “It never does harm to see more games.”

LouCity has 15 players on its 2017 roster so far. New additions include midfielder Devon “Speedy” Williams from the New York Red Bulls II and Sean Russell, who played last season for the League of Ireland’s Limerick F.C. Both are coming off championship seasons.

Louisville City FC’s league, the United Soccer League, was on Friday granted provisional Division 2 status by the U.S. Soccer Federation Board of Directors starting with the 2017 season.

Earlier this year, the USL submitted its application and supporting documentation for entry into Division 2. This landmark decision by USSF supports the USL’s vision to become one of the most globally recognized second division professional soccer leagues. 

Since 2014, one year before LouCity began play, the USL has more than doubled in size. Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are joining as new clubs for next season while Nashville SC will begin play in 2018. Further expansion is on the horizon.

“The USL is honored to receive U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2 status, which provides further validation about our League’s financial sustainability, national footprint, ownership quality, stadium infrastructure and player development,” said Alec Papadakis, the USL’s chief executive officer. “Our teams have invested more than $100 million into stadium development in the last year to enhance the experience for the 1.5 million passionate fans that attended games in 2016, the 1,000-plus players and nearly 100 coaches that have positioned our League as a highly sophisticated competition model that cultivates strong regional rivalries.”

The USL’s expansive national footprint features teams in 21 of the top 50 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas and three of the top six populated Canadian cities. This year, team markets reached 75 million people including 30 million who lived in a region where the USL was the only professional league.

“After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division II status to the USL,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with the league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country.”

With the USL kicking off its 2017 season in late March, the League will be announcing its official schedule and conference alignments soon.

“I’m thinking this will be the only time we will ever be satisfied with being second,” said LouCity Chairman John Neace. “It’s an excellent recognition of Alec Papadakis and the league’s effort. Louisville City FC salutes our fans as we make this move. Thank you for your support, and go City!”

Added LouCity coach James O’Connor: “It’s the first time I’ve been promoted in January. I’m really pleased for the league and especially our ownership group. They all really deserve it for their hard work and perseverance.”