The pair spent last season having a successful season in Louisville

Matt Fondy led the United Soccer League (USL) in scoring a year ago and Bryan Burke led the USL in assists while playing for Louisville City FC. Both have since moved to Jacksonville Armada FC in the offseason.

“We’ve been great friends for five or six years now,” Fondy told NASL.com. “I lived with him and his family in Los Angeles, I lived with him in Louisville, and we got a place in Jacksonville. It’s feeling like home, definitely.”

Fondy and Burke’s strong relationship off the field has certainly led to success on it. The pair will hope that continues now as both players enter their first season in the NASL.

“Last year I led the league in assists and a lot of them were to him,” Burke said of playing with Fondy. “Hopefully we can bring that to Jacksonville as well.”

Fondy, 26, broke the USL scoring record, tallying 22 times in 2015. It was the forward’s breakout season. Burke had 10 assists, claiming Defender of the Year as well.

Burke has spent his entire pro career in the USL prior to joining Jacksonville, while Fondy has mostly featured in USL, but also spent two seasons in Major League Soccer (MLS). Both are excited for a new challenge, together.

“I’m just excited for a new challenge,” Fondy said. “I haven’t played in the NASL, but did in the USL and MLS. It’s a new group of guys and it’s going to be a challenge. I’m looking to compete and win.”

Burke added: “For me I’m really excited. It’s going to be a new challenge and the chance to prove myself in a different league. I was the Defender of the Year last year, so I figured I might as well try a new league, and I’m hoping to have the same success in this league.”

Fondy, along with being the Golden Boot, was the league MVP as Louisville City fell a game short of reaching the USL Final. It was a chance to prove himself after not scoring over two seasons in Major League Soccer.

“I think I’ve always had a hunger to score goals and win games,” Fondy said. “In MLS, I didn’t get a whole lot of time in the first team, but I led the reserve team in goals. In Louisville, I proved to everyone that it’s something I’m going to do, and that’s what I did.”

Burke will still look to bomb forward down the wings and provide service to Fondy. But, it will need to be a balance between attacking and defending for the fullback.

“When I was in Louisville I was able to get forward and find open spots and get the ball in behind. Tony [Meola, Jacksonville coach] wants to do the same type of system and get the wingbacks involved,” Burke said. “Tony has said multiple times we’re defenders first. We have a lot of good attacking players. Once we get to know how everyone plays it will make my job easier to know when the right time to get forward is.”

While Fondy and Burke have a strong relationship having also played with the LA Blues in 2012, they are still adjusting to their new teammates. Seeking a new challenge, both are also aiming for trophies. Burke was a member of the Orlando City SC side that won the USL title in 2013.

“It just starts in the locker room, being together and all having the same goal,” Burke said on finding success at the end of the season.

Fondy added, “Winning a championship is what everyone is working for – it’s why we all do this.”