Chris Theko
United States based Lesotho international Napo Matsoso who plies his trade at Louisville City FC in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship has extended his stay at the club with one more year to his contract, keeping him with the club beyond 2021 season.
Following his selection into the 31st overall by the New England Revolution in the 2017 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, Matsoso originally signed with Louisville City in the September of 2018 as the club barreled towards its second USL title.
A very short but shifty player, Matsoso comes off a high impact campaign having switched mid-season from the central midfield position to a winger. His position change coincided with the start of LouCity 13 game unbeaten run that led the boys in purple back to the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference Final.
LouCity head coach John Hackworth, expressed the technical teams delight that Matsoso has extended his stay with the club.
We are happy that Napo has agreed to this new deal that will keep him in purple for the foreseeable future, Hackworth said.
He is such a good professional and person. Napo’s character mentality and energy epitomizes the type of player that thrives in our environment. We look forward to Napo’s continued growth for years to come, he said.
Matsoso started 11 games in 2020; he is ranked fourth on the team with three goals to go with his two assists. Each scoring contribution came once he moved to the wing.
He could have had an even stellar season had he not suffered a high ankle sprain in September which sidelined him until the playoffs.
The 26-year-old said it is a privilege for him to continue with a team he deems the best in the league.
“I am thankful to the LouCity organization and coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to continue my career. I am looking forward for another year with a great group of guys, and the 2021 season can’t come sooner,†he said.
Before his move to LouCity, Matsoso enjoyed a decorated college career at the University of Kentucky, netting 18 goals – eight of which were game winners and registered 20 assists in 73 appearances.
Thabane Sutu, former Arsenal and Al Ahly goalkeeper and the current head coach at MLS side Orlando City, is the one who helped Matsoso reach what would become his second home. Sutu was the then assistant coach at LouCity when he assisted in the acquisition of Matsoso’s services.
In 2019 he received his first National team call-up under coach Moses Maliehe when Likuena was to face Tanzania in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
