USL Feature

Friday, October 30, 2015

After a pair of disappointing seasons in MLS, 2015 proved to be a year of reinvention for Matt Fondy.

The new approach, guided by Louisville City FC Coach James O’Connor, certainly paid dividends. After a USL record 22 goals in the regular season, Fondy is the 2015 USL Most Valuable Player.

“In past seasons I’ve liked to come deeper in the midfield and get the ball, get involved in the play, help our buildup,” Fondy said. “James was constantly reiterating that I need to stay high, to stay on the center backs’ shoulders, use my attributes where it’s going to hurt the opposing team the most.”

Fondy had starred in the USL before, earning All-League honors in 2013 as he helped Orange County Blues FC reach the playoffs with 10 goals after joining the club in the second half of the season. That led to the chance to join Chivas USA, but stints there and with the Chicago Fire following a trade saw Fondy unable to gain traction, as he made 16 appearances, and only one start, over the two years.

Recruited to Louisville by O’Connor, Fondy grabbed the chance for a fresh start with both hands.

“It’s just different to play for a coach that values you and sees you leading the team or being the captain,” he said. “I definitely took to James, and my relationship with my teammates was great. You could see the results on the field.”

Handed the captaincy, Fondy provided leadership on and off the field in a tight-knit environment, as the expansion club found quick success. At the same time, he learned to not only listen to his coach’s messages on how he wanted Fondy to play, but also trusted his teammates to provide the service he would thrive off.

“As easy as it is to know my role, with James’ help I became the forward I’ve always wanted to be,” Fondy said. “My teammates, they’re absolutely good enough to build up without my help, so I can have a bit more of a poaching mindset and stay closer to goal, stay closer to where I want the ball, play a little more selfishly. James’ help and the help of my teammates made things more clear for me.”

Fondy’s ability to finish from all angles proved vital as Louisville had a remarkable inaugural season on the field, which saw the side reach the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 USL Playoffs. That was where the dream run would come to an end, however, as the Rochester Rhinos took a victory on the way to the USL Championship.

“It was heartbreaking,” Fondy said. “We had all kinds of intent on the season, and we had a game plan going into that game, but credit to them, their game plan worked throughout the year; defensively they were a staunch defense. They kept me at bay, they kept our offense at bay, so credit to them, but we were definitely bummed to end the season that way. We were looking forward to having the championship at home and giving the fans what they deserved.”

As disappointing as the end of the season proved to Fondy, the abiding memory of his remarkable year will be how close the side became in the locker room and on the field, and the bond the club forged with the local community.

“It’s definitely the closest team I’ve been a part of,” Fondy said. “The locker room was always fun to go to. I always enjoyed getting up and going into the locker room. The banter was fun and light, and then on the field it was serious. From top to bottom, everyone knew what our goals were for the season. We knew what we wanted to do.

“I’ve got to talk about the fans as well – the support from Louisville was tremendous. The camaraderie within the team, the camaraderie in the city, the camaraderie with the fans, it was just a whole city going after something special.”

Whether Fondy remains part of that pursuit in 2016 is an open question. While he is under contract to Louisville, the chance to return to Major League Soccer could certainly emerge, and with the additions he has made to his game, Fondy is eager to prove himself in a way he wasn’t able to prior.

“I’d definitely look forward to having another chance to compete,” he said.

Whatever happens, Fondy is glad he had the chance to help Louisville make its mark in the USL.

“Talking to James at the beginning of the year we knew that the owners were on our side, were committed to having a good organization, and as the preseason went on and the season got rolling, we all started to buy in,” Fondy said. “We saw the support we were getting, how the organization helped us settle, and we all wanted to do everything we could to get it off the ground. I think some of our success has helped that, but I think from top to bottom it’s been a huge effort from the city, the organization, the owners, the coaches. I’m definitely excited and proud and humbled to be a part of the first year that got this amazing organization going.”

Oh, and that MVP award is pretty nice, too.

“I’m honored, honestly,” Fondy said. “There’s a ton of talent in the league, a lot of talent on my team. It’s hard to put words to it, honestly. I think of my teammates. If anyone said that to me and how great the year was, I’d think of my teammates and coaches, and people who helped me, that worked with me and sweated day in and day out and helped make it happen.”