In Lexington SC’s first season in the USL Championship, it aimed high.

As it built out the roster, there were solid pieces throughout, including veterans such as Marcus Epps – who went on to lead the side in goal contributions – and Speedy Williams and players like Joe Hafferty and Nick Firmino who brought a level of pedigree to the squad.

There were even big-ticket in-season additions like that of Cory Burke – who was unable to recapture his past glories with only six goal contributions in 1,145 regular season minutes – and Latif Blessing, signed to try and help push the side over the line and into the playoffs down the final stretch of the season.

After seeing the potential of a top-four finish slip away thanks to a five-game winless streak, ultimately leaving the side on the wrong side of the playoff line, it was left to reflect and reassess.

The decision from the front office? This year they’re shooting for the moon.

Monday’s acquisition of Louisville City FC forward Phillip Goodrum for what could end up being a record transfer agreement due to conditional clauses included beyond the six-figure initial fee is the latest major move by LSC that is setting a marker for its 2026 campaign.

• FILLING HIS BOOTS: Goodrum has been one of the USL Championship’s most consistent finishers this decade, becoming the 20th player to record 60 regular season goals this past campaign. Among those marksmen, the 28-year-old ranks eighth with a strike rate of a goal every 173 minutes, while also boasting a strong shooting accuracy rate (54.3% and shot conversion rate 21.9%).

• SPLASH THE CASH: That Goodrum was the second six-figure transfer fee between two USL Championship clubs Lexington has spent this offseason speaks to the club’s desire to push forward. The addition of four-time All-League selection Aaron Molloy earlier in December from the Charleston Battery was a groundbreaking moment, taking one of the league’s elite performers over recent campaigns to help build the spine of the lineup in which Goodrum is now set to sit at the top.

• FREE AGENT FRENZY: Lexington has added two more major pieces to that set-up with the addition of defender Arturo Ordóñez, making the jump from LouCity as a free agent, and midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandes from Sacramento Republic FC. All four are set to be frontline pieces for new Head Coach Masaki Hemmi, brought over from the club’s currently undefeated Gainbridge Super League squad in a winter transition.

There’s a parallel, of course, to the squad Hemmi led to a 5-0-9 record in the first half of this Gainbridge Super League season and the one he’s now set to lead in 2026. After a disappointing first campaign in the Super League, Lexington wasn’t shy about going out and adding talent to its roster.

Two 2024/25 All-League selections were added over the summer, with forward Addie McCain and playmaker Emina Ekic inked to deals as well as forward Catherine Barry from the Chicago Stars – who has played a key role in the club’s attacking success – to send the side into strong contention for silverware entering the second half of the year.

The challenge for LSC’s USL Championship squad, though, will be bigger.

In contrast to the nascent Super League – where Spokane Zephyr’s Sarah McCoy leads the league with 44 career regular season appearances – the Boys in Green will be aiming to usurp clubs with far greater continuity in their squads who are also prepared to make waves in the offseason.

After sitting solidly middle of the pack in the Championship with a -1.8 Expected Goal Difference a season ago – compare that to Western Conference top two FC Tulsa (+15.79xGD) and Sacramento Republic FC (+11.55xGD), and in-state rival Louisville City (+18.27xGD) – there is ground to be made up for Hemmi and his new charges.

With the business the side has already done this offseason, though, and that which is likely to come as the calendar turns, Lexington is setting a target for where it expects to be next fall, as well as a target for its own back for clubs around the league.

As the countdown to its clash with Louisville City – and a quick reunion for Goodrum and Ordóñez against their former teammates – on the opening night of the season begins, so does the anticipation for what’s to come for LSC in 2026.