Life in Louisville is something LouCity midfielder Oscar Jimenez is getting used to.
Jimenez joined the “Boys in Purple” on February 15, 2017, and excelled under head coach James O’Connor. In total, he led the team in assists (6) and creating more chances (76) than any other player in the USL. Through the opening weekend across the league, Jimenez is at it again. He already leads the list in chances created (4) with an assist to add, but for him, this is only the beginning.
His offseason work started with scanning match after match, picking up on little things here or there that could tweak his game.
“I watched our team and the players that were coming back to watch for what their tendencies are, what they like to do, and things like that,” said Jimenez. “If someone is going down the line, do they usually go to the far post or do they run near? Things like that I marked so I can have a better understanding of what my teammates want or what they look for in the game.”
One of the first things that stand out about Jimenez’s game is his work rate—and that extends off the pitch. Putting in hours to study his team’s play and note what works well, and often more important, what doesn’t, the playmaker is always in the heat of the action. Jimenez also nearly had a second assist off a set-piece, another facet of his game he’s looking to take up a notch. For all that, he thanks his teammates.
“They tend to put me in good spots on the field where I can play that last ball for an assist or for an opportunity, like this weekend,” he said. “I saw there was space in behind and I ran there. I try to be in good parts of the field and dangerous parts of the field to make things happen. This weekend, the things that I’ve noticed helped me to read the game better.”
TICKETS: LouCity vs. North Carolina FC | Saturday, March 24
With a head coach who values team chemistry more than anything, what attracts Jimenez most to this project is his teammates. The bond they share off the pitch leads to the success on it, and he noted his eagerness to see it carry over from last year’s group.
“What I enjoyed the most from last year was the team. I had never been on a team where everyone was friends with everyone and got along well. It was a great group of guys so it made it that much easier to be happy and enjoy what we were doing,” he noted.
“James has told us from the beginning—even before I signed with the team—about his philosophy and how he likes to recruit players that are not only good soccer players but are also good people outside the sport. With that said, it’s easier to come into a team and to, say, not play, because you have these guys that you spent preseason with and training sessions with that are always there for you for support if you need it.”
So far, so good. But, O’Connor was quick to note this past Monday that although the first victory was sweet, their work was far from finished. Jimenez agrees there, emphasizing that their toughest tests had yet to come.
“Last year, we did very well all season and won, but there were a few moments in the season where we had a string of bad games,” said the midfielder. “I want to see what this team can do this year and what we can do from a leadership standpoint. I’m interested in and excited to see how we react to difficult situations when they most likely come, which they will.”
Whether in a good moment or bad, Jimenez is looking forward to the challenge with a smile.
“I love this game. When I’m out there–whether it’s training or anything that involves soccer–I’m so grateful to be there and to be enjoying this,” he expressed. “I’m thankful and grateful for the chance to be doing this on the daily and my why has always been because I love the game. Helping my team succeed and win is another thing that motivates me. I want to help everyone else achieve their goals as well.”
Louisville City FC welcomes North Carolina FC at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday afternoon at Slugger Field. Tickets for their second straight home contest start as low as $16 and can be purchased at www.loucity.com.
