Louisville, KY (June 9, 2015) — Louisville City FC announced today that 18-year-old midfielder Collin Fernandez has joined the club on-loan from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire. Fernandez, a current member of the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team player pool, was also named to the roster for the U-14 Boy’s National Team trip to Mexico in 2011 and spent 2013 at the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida while moving through the Fire Academy ranks.
“Collin is a very young talented player who also has national team experience,” Louisville head coach, James O’Connor said. “We feel he will be a good addition to our squad and we look forward to playing a part in his development.”
Fernandez signed to the Chicago Fire last August as a Homegrown Player after spending several seasons in the Fire’s youth academy. He made four appearances with the Fire Reserve team in 2014, including three as a professional.
During the 2013-14 season, Fernandez began to really standout in the US Soccer Development Academy. The 5’8″ midfielder scored 16 goals in 25 matches while playing up an age group with the U-18 Chicago Fire. The Downers-Grove, Illinois native was named Central Conference U-16 Player of the Year while with the academy.
In 2014, Fernandez helped the U.S. U-18 National Team win the 21st International Tournament of Václav Ježek in the Czech Republic, by scoring a goal and dishing out a pair of assists in the three tournament matches.
After spending his two weeks on trial, Fernandez is now available to play for Louisville City FC starting tomorrow versus FC Montreal.
Louisville City will return home on June 20th to face another MLS 2 team in the form of the New York Red Bulls 2. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting louisvillecityfc.com/tickets.
