Orlando City Hire New Head Coach James O’Connor

In the middle of a club record seven-game losing streak, Orlando City SC has found its new head coach. On June 29, the Lions announced the hiring of their third-ever head coach, James O’Connor.

“James was our top target going into the coaching search,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said, per the team’s official press release. “He has proven himself a consistent winner as both a player and coach at the [United Soccer League] level and now is extremely eager to prove himself in [Major League Soccer].

“James is very aware of the winning culture we have built in Orlando and what it will take to uphold that tradition in both the short and long term. We couldn’t be more excited for him to get started.”

O’Connor joins City from USL side Louisville City FC after spending three-and-a-half seasons there. In 2017, he led Louisville to an 18-6-8 record and to the 2017 USL Cup title. O’Connor finished second in 2017 USL Coach of the Year voting, too.

Out of league play, Louisville under O’Connor has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, defeating the New England Revolution and Nasville SC to get there.

Before coaching, O’Connor started his senior career in 1996 with Stoke City FC before ending it with then-United Soccer League Pro side Orlando City. He played in Central Florida from 2012 to 2014, recording over 4,000 minutes. O’Connor helped City win the 2012 USL regular-season championship and the 2013 USL Cup as a player-coach.

The Lions take on Atlanta United FC Saturday night at 7 p.m. under interim head coach Bobby Murphy. O’Connor will also coach Louisville against New York Red Bulls II for its Saturday-night match. He will join the Lions ahead of their July 7 road meeting with Los Angeles FC.

For more on the Lions, as they continue to try for their first-ever MLS playoffs berth, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

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