Louisville City FC has rounded out its goalkeeper corps with the signing of veteran Danny Faundez, it was announced Tuesday.
Faundez, whose deal is pending league and federation approval, earned a trial with the club by impressing at its open tryouts earlier this year. Paperwork was processed on his contract during a recent preseason trip to Arizona.
The 29-year-old played the last two seasons with Orange County SC, serving as a reserve in 2021 on a USL Championship title-winning squad.
“It’s amazing how things work out, because he’s a kid that showed his determination to be a LouCity player by attending our open tryouts,” said head coach Danny Cruz. “He stood out, so we decided to bring him into the first team for training, and he’s continued to excel.
“He’s played minutes for us in preseason games. His distribution is fantastic. His shot-stopping ability is really good. We’re excited to have him join us.”
A dual citizen of the United States and Chile, Faundez spent three years in the South American nation while representing first division club Everton de Viña del Mar’s youth academy system. He then featured for NAIA Bellevue College in Washington before signing with Seattle Sounders 2 in 2015.
For LouCity, Faundez will work with fellow goalkeepers Kyle Morton and Parker Siegfried as the 2022 USL Championship season approaches.
“Around the league you always look at Louisville as one of the powerhouses with a winning culture and a competitive mentality,” Faundez said. “I’m excited to join such a strong group and do my part to have a successful season.”
Faundez’s signing brings LouCity’s roster to 24 players. Seven of them are newcomers joining a returning core of players that last season advanced to the club’s seventh consecutive Eastern Conference Final.
LouCity concludes preseason play with games Saturday at USL Championship rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC before going to face MLS Next Pro’s St. Louis City on March 5. The boys in purple then start their campaign March 12 at Lynn Family Stadium, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. against Atlanta United 2.
Current 2022 Louisville City FC Roster
Forwards: Jorge Gonzalez, Wilson Harris, Cameron Lancaster, Enoch “Matiti” Mushagalusa, Brian Ownby, Ray Serrano
Midfielders: Corben Bone, Tyler Gibson, Napo Matsoso, Niall McCabe, Carlos Moguel Jr., Manny Perez, Paolo DelPiccolo, Elijah Wynder
Defenders: Wes Charpie, Owen Damm, Amadou Dia, Oscar Jimenez, Ian Soler, Sean Totsch, Josh Wynder
Goalkeepers: Danny Faundez, Kyle Morton, Parker Siegfried
