After facing Louisville City FC with trophies on the line, Jordan Scarlett has joined the boys in purple in search of more silverware.
LouCity signed the 27-year-old defender for the 2023 season, it was announced Wednesday, with the deal pending league and federation approval.
Scarlett played previously for New York Red Bulls II, starting the 2017 Eastern Conference Final that LouCity won in a penalty kick shootout. A move to the Tampa Bay Rowdies also saw Scarlett on the pitch for the 2020 conference final — that game claimed by the Rowdies.
“We are happy to be able to come to an agreement with Jordan,” said LouCity’s coach, Danny Cruz. “This is an environment where players challenge each other every single day to be the best that they can be both individually and collectively. We expect Jordan’s addition will continue to push him to be the best version of himself while helping our group improve.
“Jordan is a strong, athletic presence who is good in the air. When we looked at the profile of players that we wanted to add to the back line, he checked every box. I am excited to get him integrated with the group and look forward to seeing him contribute this season.”
Born in Jamaica, Scarlett grew up in the Bronx and played collegiately at nearby Iona University — also in New York City — before Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls selected him in the 2017 SuperDraft.
Scarlett signed his first professional deal with NYRB II, where he remained through 2019. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who met LouCity in the Eastern Conference Final each year of his stay from 2020 through 2022.
Scarlett also started for Tampa Bay last year in its regular season trip to Louisville. That night, LouCity set a club and Lynn Family Stadium record for attendance with 14,673 on hand.
“I challenge myself every day to be better, as my aim is to be one of the best in the league,” Scarlett said. “This is an amazing club that I know will allow me to continue to grow as a player both on and off the pitch. I have only been here a few days now, but I can see and feel that I will have the chance to do exactly that. With the history and the winning culture of the team, I am excited to have the opportunity to join the journey and contribute toward winning another championship this year.”
Scarlett appeared in 32 games last season, scoring two goals and ranking among the Rowdies’ defensive leaders with 62 clearances, 34 interceptions and 32 tackles won. He also counts among his achievements a key role in the Rowdies’ record-breaking, 891-minute stretch without allowing a goal in 2021. The run helped Tampa Bay secure the USL Championship’s best regular season record.
In all, Scarlett has totaled 154 appearances in the USL Championship across the regular season and playoffs, logging 12,199 minutes of action. A consistent starter at the club level, Scarlett also got a chance on the international stage last June when he received a call up for Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League game against Mexico.
Scarlett and LouCity are preparing for a March 11 opener to the USL Championship season. The boys in purple play their first home game March 25, hosting El Paso Locomotive FC.
Season, single game and group tickets are on sale now by visiting LouCity.com/tickets or calling (502) LOU-CITY during regular business hours.
Current 2023 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Issac Cano, Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris, Cameron Lancaster, Enoch Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby and Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Paolo DelPiccolo, Tyler Gibson, Dylan Mares, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Rasmus Thellufsen and Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Manny Perez, Ramzi Qawasmy, Sebastian Sanchez, Jordan Scarlett, Ian Soler, Sean Totsch and Josh Wynder
Goalkeepers: Danny Faundez, Kyle Morton and Oliver Semmle
