Loudoun United announced tonight that midfielder Connor Presley had signed a contract for 2019. The 21-year-old appeared in both scrimmages as a right-sided midfielder and would presumably have the advantage to start in Loudoun’s inaugural game Saturday at Nashville. Presley had spent the previous 18 months with San Antonio FC, playing in 29 goals and scoring a goal and three assists.
More importantly, Presley is the 12th player signed to a pro contract by Loudoun, meaning that they have the necessary minimum number to carry as a team. This does not mean that Loudoun is only going to bring 12 to Tennessee; after D.C. United’s practice today while Ben Olsen was being interviewed, several Loudoun players were getting limber for their practice, and D.C. Academy player Griffin Yow appeared to be among them (over Olsen’s right shoulder beginning at :16). Teams can carry 5 Academy players to rosters provided they are not FIFA-registered or affiliated to a NCAA/NAIA program. As Yow is not either of those, the opener does bring an interesting wrinkle to it for D.C. fans.
Loudoun plays at Nashville SC Saturday at 8pm. Streaming should be available on ESPN+.