LouCity’s 2024 Roster Taking Shape With Additions At Multiple Positions
Louisville City FC has been hustling this offseason to build their squad for 2024. The Boys in Purple made some big moves to upgrade their roster as they try to go even further than last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
LouCity made a splash by signing forward Adrien Perez from the San Diego Loyal. The dude banged in 10 goals and 3 assists last season, and he’s got some MLS experience too with LAFC and D.C. United. Coach Danny Cruz is pumped about Perez, calling him “a dynamic forward who can play all over the attack.” Â
On defense, LouCity scooped up reigning USL Championship Defender of the Year Arturo Ordóñez in a transfer from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. They also signed 24-year-old outside back Jake Morris, who spent last season on loan from the Columbus Crew.
The club added even more versatile pieces, picking up defender Sam Gleadle from Monterey Bay FC and midfielder Taylor Davila from Rio Grande Valley FC. Davila made the All-League First Team last season.
LouCity did lose goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, who set a USL rookie record with 13 clean sheets last year. They transferred him to MLS club Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed fee. But they moved fast to replace him, signing U.S. youth international Damian Las on loan from Austin FC.
In other departures, LouCity transferred outside back Manny Perez to Danish club AC Horsens. And midfield legend Paolo DelPiccolo hung up his boots to take a full-time coaching gig in the club’s academy.
DelPiccolo called it “bittersweet” to retire, and coach Cruz said he’s got “no doubt” DelPiccolo will crush it as a coach.
With preseason underway, Louisville City’s squad is looking primed to contend for another deep USL Championship playoff run in 2024. They’ve supplemented their core group with some promising new additions in key spots. There could be more signings to come to before LouCity’s 10th anniversary season kicks off.
Make sure to stick to Bluegrass Soccer Cast (@BGSoccerCast on all social media platforms) for full coverage of LouCity and everything soccer in our beautiful Commonwealth.
