Updated: USL MVP Fondy under contract with LCFC

Setting itself up for another run at a United Soccer Leagues title, the Louisville City Football Club announced Wednesday that leading striker Matt Fondy is under contract for another season.

Fondy, who scored a USL-record 22 goals in 28 regular-season matches, also netted a pair of shots in the 2015 postseason, leading the charge for the first-year club that reached the playoffs' semifinals. The California native scored as many as four goals in a single game, recorded three hat tricks and chipped in seven assists.

But it's still no sure thing Fondy, 26, returns if the opportunity to sign a Major League Soccer deal presents itself. An MLS franchise could presumably buy out his deal with Louisville City FC.

"He's generating a lot of interest," coach James O'Connor said.

City's announcement indicated Fondy has been invited to MLS-level camps ahead of the 2016 season. O'Connor added that second-tier North American Soccer League clubs have also reached out. The USL sits on the third rung of the American soccer ladder.

Fondy played in previous years with Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire before arriving in Louisville.

"USL, for all intents and purposes, is a development league," said Amanda Duffy, City's team president. "If there's any opportunity where we can be part of developing a player and see him move to the next level, we feel like what we're doing as a club is right and in the best interest of the player. For us, for Matt to have the looks and considerations he has since the end of the season due to the success he had with Louisville City in 2015, we're excited about that."

The first-year club's other star player, USL Defender of the Year Bryan Burke, said soon after the season said he'll seek an MLS deal. Burke, however, came to Louisville on a one-year contract and without intentions of staying beyond 2015.

Along with announcing Fondy on Wednesday, Louisville City FC noted it has picked up an option to retain second-leading scorer Magnus Rasmussen as well as forwards Ilija Ilic and Cameron Lancaster.

The club already made official the return of goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, each of its top defenders and key midfielders, including Kadeem Dacres and Juan Guzman. Its only major loss so far is Burke.

Even without him, O'Connor's roster has a chance to strengthen next year, especially offensively. Lancaster, an English native who developed in Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur's academy, sat out almost all of 2015 with a torn ACL and meniscus but could make a major impact.

While posting a 14-8-6 record and advancing to the USL playofffs, City's offense ranked top-three of 24 teams in shots per game, points per game, goals per game and assists per game.

"Obviously, last year we were fortunate to have great attacking players who were able to score a lot of goals for us," O'Connor said. "We are thrilled to have the core of that group coming back, and to have Cameron return from an injury. So we're looking forward to being able to play the attacking style we were able to play last year."