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Exactly two weeks on from Jason Kreis’ exit, Orlando City SC announced the appointment of James O’Connor as the Lions’ new head coach today.
A former Lion himself having made 41 league appearances for Orlando City SC in their USL form, the 38-year-old Irishman returns to Central Florida after a successful stint at Louisville City.
NEWS: There's a new boss in town. #WelcomeHome to new City Head Coach, James O’Connor!
📝 https://t.co/nbH0FKQ82N#FaceOfCity
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 29, 2018
With James O’Connor set to suit up for Orlando City SC in their forthcoming away visit to Los Angeles FC on July 7th, interim head coach Bobby Murphy will lead the team once more at Atlanta United tomorrow.
Also joining James O’Connor at Orlando City Stadium is Daniel Byrd who will remain his assistant coach after following him from Louisville City.
Up-and-coming
An up-and-coming manager, James O’Connor is an intriguing appointment.
A move that strikes up nostalgia from Orlando City SC‘s domination of the minor league scene in USL, we must get behind our new man in charge following a desperate run of seven straight MLS losses.
Despite never coaching in Major League Soccer before, James O’Connor‘s role in coaching Louisville City to an 18-6-8 record to finish top of the USL Eastern Conference before leading them to the 2017 USL Cup Championship was particularly impressive.
>>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW JAMES O’CONNOR’S COACHING PROFILE <<<
Currently third in USL Eastern Conference standings, James O’Connor departs the Kentucky-based franchise having also led them to the quarter-finals of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as the only non-MLS side remaining in the competition.
Top 🎯 #FaceOfCity
📝 https://t.co/nbH0FKQ82N pic.twitter.com/KWXXbRwmr6
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 29, 2018
Familiar face
A familiar face in Central Florida, James O’Connor actually previously boasts some coaching experience in the Orlando City SC dugout, stepping in as an assistant for our USL side from 2013 to 2014.
And of course, James O’Connor was part of Orlando City SC‘s USL playing staff that won the USL Pro Championship in 2013.
A battling defensive midfielder during his playing days, James O’Connor represented Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday during a 15-year playing career in England.
The fans’ view
With the Orlando City SC Twittersphere currently digesting the news, Orlando City UK gathered some of the best tweets following James O’Connor‘s appointment.
Congratulations James! https://t.co/ZVjiYh8bhC
— Tom Traxler (@ttrax15) June 29, 2018
The welcome home and old usl kit is catnip to the old day fans. Congrats on your victory @IronLionFirm and @RuckusOrlando
— Tony Cruz (@EddieTheCommish) June 29, 2018
I think Savarese's success so far in Portland has made candidates like O'Connor and Dos Santos more trusting of coaches who are succeeding in the lower divisions.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 29, 2018
JOC understands the beautiful game to perfection. He knows his players and pushes them to places they didn't know they could go. A master scouting talent that works hard and deserves to reach his full potential! Congrats, coach. 👏#LouCity supporters will always remember you. 🙏
— brskr – ¡Vamos 🇦🇷! (@JP79Lou) June 29, 2018
Let's face it@OrlandoCitySC is at rock bottom
From the FO to the players we have never been so lost as a club.
One man is now in a position to save us & redeem this club
That man is James O'Connor
Legends are forged in the circumstances we find ourselves in
He'll save us pic.twitter.com/POraxmNFeu
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) June 29, 2018
Congrats coach! You truly deserve a spot in @MLS but you'll be greatly missed on the @loucityfc side. Thank you for laying a foundation of greatness here in Derby City. The purple carpet will always be rolled out for you. Cheers!
— Chris McDannold (@DanoTheOverlord) June 29, 2018
I'm surprised ownership went this route, seems to connect to the Heath era and that relationship went up in flames and all the bridges were burnt. Who's decision do you think this was?
— James Phelps (@JHeizmanPhelps) June 29, 2018
It's pretty much done, so from this moment on I don't care if the new coach was USL, if he was former OC, if he was successful before, if he doesn't have experience in MLS, if he's young, if he's the only one that will take the job…
From now on he is OUR coach!#VamosOrlando 💜— Moraima (@Moraima_4) June 29, 2018
Good luck Coach JOC well deserved and you will be missed. Take care of him @OrlandoCitySC. This is worse then a brake up for me. WOW happy for coach Sad for us. pic.twitter.com/Jv5H17plVs
— Nicholas Carter (@LouCityNick) June 29, 2018
Good luck Ginge!! 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9iMhcD8BlP
— Simon Deakin (@deakin366) June 29, 2018
Great hire. Very excited.
— Snarkinfestedwater (@geekfreedom) June 29, 2018
If she doesn’t know James O’Connor from his playing days with OC, she’s too young for you
— World Cup 🇦🇺🐸 Derek (@Rays1299) June 29, 2018
Terrible decision by both sides. Not a knock on O’Connor by the way, but tough to believe stepping into this pressure cooker right now is a good place to start MLS coaching career. Good luck James, do well!
— Borba (@borba_1) June 29, 2018
Knows whats it's like to play in top tier teams, shows promise in being able to develop players, history in Orlando, and hungry to prove himself as a coach in the next higher level of competition. Hopeful!
— Ian Connor (@Ian_C0nn0r) June 29, 2018
You're getting a winner and a great man. Good luck coach JOC. #GoCITY
— Todd Lanham (@todd_lanham) June 29, 2018