Veteran goalkeeper Danny Faundez is the latest Louisville City signing coming by way of open tryouts. Faundez is a 29-year-old dual citizen of the United States and Chile. He spent 3 years in Chile as part of Everton de Viña del Mar’s youth academy system before joining Bellevue College, where he notched four shutouts and 50 saves as a freshman in 2014. In 2015, he joined Seattle Sounders 2, now known as the Tacoma Defiance. He is coming off a two-year spell with Orange Country SC, the reigning USL champs, but didn't see any action in 2020 or 2021.
“Around the league, you always look at Louisville as one of the powerhouses with a winning culture and a competitive mentality,” Faundez said. “I’m excited to join such a strong group and do my part to have a successful season.”
“It’s amazing how things work out because he’s a kid that showed his determination to be a LouCity player by attending our open tryouts,” said Coach Danny Cruz. “He stood out, so we decided to bring him into the first team for training, and he’s continued to excel. He’s played minutes for us in preseason games. His distribution is fantastic. His shot-stopping ability is really good. We’re excited to have him join us.”
Faundez could be one of the final pieces to Coach Cruz’s 2022 plans. While Kyle Morton and Parker Siegfried are great keepers in their own right, Faundez has apparently shown the staff he has what it takes to compete with them. Making this team from open tryouts cannot be an easy task. Who doesn’t love a good success story? Faundez’s signing brings LouCity’s roster to 24 players. Seven of them are newcomers joining a returning core of players that last season advanced to the club’s seventh consecutive Eastern Conference Final.
Current 2022 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Jorge Gonzalez, Cameron Lancaster, Brian Ownby, Enoch "Matiti" Mushagalusa, Ray Serrano, Wilson Harris
Midfielders: Corben Bone, Tyler Gibson, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Paolo DelPiccolo, Manny Perez
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Sean Totsch, Josh Wynder, Ian Soler
Goalkeepers: Kyle Morton, Parker Siegfried, Danny Faundez
Parting Thoughts
On 02/23, the Coopers will be holding a USWNT watch party and membership packet pickup event at Atrium Brewing. Join in on the fun!
Want to do a little more reading on LouCity? Might I suggest The Tifos of Louisville City, The Louisville City Youth Movement, Louisville City’s Pathway To The Pros, What Are Expected Goals (xG)?, or What Are Goals Added (G+)?.
Have a friend just getting into LouCity soccer? Be sure to send them the Introduction To Louisville City link to give them a point of reference to learn about the club and league.
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