Louisville City FC has 11 players under contract for 2022, the club announced Thursday, keeping a core group in purple with offseason processes well underway.
Fresh off a seventh consecutive run to the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference Final, LouCity exercised options to retain defenders Oscar Jimenez and Sean Totsch along with midfielder Niall McCabe and forward Brian Ownby.
That quartet joins the following players with existing deals that continue into next year: defender Josh Wynder; midfielders Corben Bone, Jay Tee Kamara, Napo Matsoso, Carlos Moguel Jr. and Elijah Wynder; as well as forward Cameron Lancaster.
Departing the club are goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre; defenders Pat McMahon, Alexis Souahy and Akil Watts; and forwards Kyle Greig, Antoine Hoppenot and Abdou Thiam. As was previously announced, goalkeeper Chris Hubbard has retired, and defender Jonathan Gomez will move to first division Spanish club Real Sociedad when the transfer window opens in January.
“I am thankful for everything that these players gave to Louisville City this year,” said head coach Danny Cruz. “While we fell short of our ultimate goal, their commitment to our process, this club and the community is something that I will always be grateful for.
“As the offseason is underway, we are diligently working to make sure that we are bringing in the right players that will push us toward another USL Championship trophy. We have a clear view of how we want to build this team for the future and are looking forward to bringing in players that will fit both on and off the field.”
The club continues to negotiate toward contracts for other returning players, as well as new signings, with updates to be provided in due time.
“We wish all the players who are leaving us the very best for their future endeavors,” said the club’s executive vice president of development, James O’Connor. “They will always be a part of the LouCity family, and I want to thank them all individually for their contributions not just on the field but also off it.
“As we move through the offseason, our supporters will start to see the ideas for next year. Danny and his staff have a clear identity in what they want to bring in, and we look forward to supporting them.”
Current 2022 Louisville City FC Roster
Forward: Cameron Lancaster, Brian Ownby
Midfielders: Corben Bone, Jay Tee Kamara, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Josh Wynder
