The Premier Development League, unofficially a fourth tier circuit mostly made up of college players, is advertised as the USL’s Path to Pro. Oscar Jimenez used a season in the PDL as something else, however — a path back to the professional ranks.
“It puts a smile on my face,” Jimenez said this week, now as a featured left back and winger for Louisville City FC heading into Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. home. game against Ottawa Fury FC.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point. But Jimenez found it worth the ride.
The Mount Vernon, Wash., native suited up for the USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks in 2015 before signing with Mississippi Brilla FC of the PDL last year. Jimenez’s performance at LouCity’s invitation tryout earned him another pro contract, and he’s since become a featured player for the boys in purple.
“It was difficult mentally to adjust from playing as a pro, going to PDL and coming back,” Jimenez said. “I’m just taking everything on board – everything coach is teaching us.”
A converted midfielder, Jimenez has put eight of his 12 shots on target playing as a defender for LouCity. He scored his first goal in purple June 3, getting LouCity on the board in a 4-4 draw against the league-leading Charleston Battery.
Jimenez’s 21 chances created rank second on the team.
“He’s been someone who – and I’ve used it a couple times – but he epitomizes what we’re about,” said coach James O’Connor. “I think he’s very open, very approachable, a good listener and very responsive. Apart from the fact that he’s a very good footballer, he has all those things that are so important.”
Jimenez, who attended Western Washington University, tied the school record with 22 career assists as a Vikings player from 2008-2011. He played in the PDL ranks for the Seattle Sounders’ U-23 squad while returning to his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach.
Jimenez remained on the sideline for Western Washington’s 2016 season as well.
“I’d say coaching really helps you build as a player, because you kind of get what the coaches are thinking and feeling at that time,” he said. “You understand decisions are made to make the team win, and it’s never a personal issue
“…Now I think I understand it more. It’s just about doing your thing in training, working hard, and good things will come.”
Using new perspective, Jimenez arrived in Louisville in January for a tryout.
“I just wanted to come in and show what I’ve got,” he said. “James gave me an opportunity at outside back, and I’ve just been taking it.”
Jimenez has started all but one LouCity game and sits second overall in minutes played with 1,080 on the pitch. A tweak from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 by LouCity has allowed the outside backs — Jimenez on the left and Kyle Smith on the right — to push up and into the attack, where they figure to be again on Saturday.
While it’s still early in the season, Head Coach James O’Connor is pleased with the growth and play he’s seen out of one of the newest additions to his roster.
“The atmosphere at home is great,” Jimenez said. The supporters “give us that extra push, even when it’s the 85th, 90th minute. You can see some of our guys just pushing through it. It’s great to be back at home and hopefully we’ll get to show ourselves there.”
