Around the Bluegrass: Louisville City roster speculations

While we still have yet to reach the calender year in which the USL-PRO’s Lousiville City FC will kick off, we are approaching closer and closer to the team beginning its inaugural year, and with the 2014 USL regular season to a close, the first real round of “who will be on the LCFC roster,” has come up for debate.

WFPL radio, Louisville’s NPR station, ran a piece yesterday warning those looking for Louisville City to repeat the success of this year’s Orlando City SC – who broke the USL-PRO record for wins in a season – after Orlando City moves to MLS to be cautious come 2015, citing the possible lack of returning players;

"When the Louisville City FC roster takes shape, it will probably lack of some standout players that have helped propel the Orlando team to such prominent status, said Wayne Estopinal, a part owner of the Louisville City FC and who spearheaded the efforts to bring pro soccer  to Louisville.– WFPL, Louisville"

Six current Orlando City players are signed on to play for the 2015 MLS side – Kevin Monlino, Darwin Ceren, Tyler Turner, Tommy Redding, Rafael Ramos and Estrela – and Fansided’s Orlando City site, O-Town’s 11, says that there might be more;

"At this point of the year, I would say that at least three or four more players have earned spots with their performances this season — Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, Adama Mbengue, and maybe even Brad Rusin.– Gavin Ewbank, O-Town’s 11 editor"

The only team personnel Louisville City has signed is James O’Conner, a former Orlando City player and coach, who will be the first Louisville coach. As we told you when it was first announced that the team would be coming to the Ville, LCFC and the MLS Orlando City will have a developmental partnership – essentially what the Hot Rods are to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Have you been keeping up with Orlando City in preparation for their move to Kentucky? If so, do you have any ideas as to who might play next year? For those of you nearly in the dark about this whole ordeal, will you be going to a Louisville City game? Let us know below in a comment or on twitter @WavetheRedTowel with the hashtag #AroundtheBluegrass.