Louisville City FC has signed Jabari Rasheed to a USL Academy contract, making the defender eligible for selection as soon as this weekend’s game against Las Vegas Lights FC.
USL Academy contracts allow young talents to train with and play for a professional team while retaining their NCAA eligibility. The rising North Hardin High School senior Rasheed — who saw minutes in Wednesday’s international friendly against Germany’s FC Kaiserslautern — will provide needed depth due to injuries in the squad as LouCity prepares for Saturday’s 8 p.m. kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium.
“I’m so grateful to (coach) Danny Cruz for this opportunity and the team for pushing to be able to accomplish this,” Rasheed said. “I’m ready to keep working!”
From Elizabethtown, Rasheed committed to the University of Kentucky in April, days after helping the LouCity Academy to the prestigious Dallas Cup’s 19U title. In addition to academy duties, Rasheed boasts ample experience playing alongside City’s pros, including preseason minutes against Major League Soccer clubs such as Nashville SC and Austin FC.
A First Team All-State selection, Rasheed was named by his hometown newspaper, The News-Enterprise, Area Defensive Player of the Year. North Hardin and Rasheed advanced to the 5th Region Tournament final. Rasheed also kicks for his school’s football team.
The defender joins Issac Cano (Paul Laurence Dunbar), Colin Elder (Bullitt East), Alex Kron (St. Xavier) and Travis Smith (duPont Manual) from LouCity’s youth system on USL Academy contracts. It’s a path forged previously by five players who turned into City pros: Owen Damm, Carlos Moguel Jr., Sebastian Sanchez and brothers Elijah and Josh Wynder.
