LCFC owner's 'No. 1 priority' to retain coach

Earlier this week, Louisville City FC coach James O'Connor, whose 1-year deal is set to expire, said he's looking forward to getting a new contract "agreed and all boxed off."

Now it's up to City's front office and O'Connor, the 36-year-old Irishman, to meet a deal after the club finished second in the USL standings and made the playoffs in its inaugural season.

"I wouldn't use the word urgent," said Wayne Estopinal, Louisville City FC's operating manager, "but It's my No. 1 priority."

Estopinal said he has had multiple conversations with both O'Connor and his agent, Gary Mellor, who also consults with Orlando City SC, the Major League Soccer franchise in which Estopinal also maintains an ownership stake.

O'Connor hasn't made demands, Estopinal said, though Louisville City FC's staff has planned improvements to retain him, including potentially bringing on assistant Daniel Byrd in a full-time, year-round role.

Also, training grounds at Thurman Hutchins Park "are a huge issue." They twice flooded this year and had to rebuilt, costing the club upwards of $1 million, Estopinal said. To escape lingering winter weather, Louisville City FC's players will open training in Florida in February at the same complex as Orlando City; the two are no longer affiliates but maintain a partnership.

"What James is asking for only reflects a professional organization, and that's what we're going to deliver," Estopinal said. "...We're going to work really hard to come to terms. Everybody's pretty optimistic we will."

Louisville City FC's other major personnel question heading into the offseason is that of record-breaking forward Matt Fondy's future. Fondy, unlike assists leader Bryan Burke, is under contract for 2016 but scored 22 goals in 28 regular-season matches.

The 26-year-old Californian has played at the MLS level before and is a candidate to return.

Estopinal noted Louisville City FC is capable of paying "significantly higher" than the MLS' minimum $60,000 salary to keep Fondy.

"Matt's proven that he's a great scorer and really fits the Louisville City system," he said. "If there was a way that he wanted to be back with us, we'll help him in any way we can. If he wants to go to the MLS, we'll also help him any way we can."

Offseason player moves are largely out of the front office's hands. Instead, it's part of O'Connor's job to find, scout and sign prospects — assuming the coach re-signs.

"Beyond James, I don't have to worry about it, honestly," Estopinal said. "All those personnel decisions on the team are James', and that's one reason we get along great. He's such a hard worker and just completely obsessed with making Louisville City as good as it can be."