Now that the snow has subsided, it’s time to shake off the rust and get ready for the 2019 season. With teams from U8 through to semi-pro playing in the top leagues in Ontario, the London TFC Academy and FC LONDON clubs have been busy preparing for games, which started in early May.
Former FC LONDON star, Jade Kovacevich, the leading women’s scorer, recent winner of the OCAA athletics award and winner of the League1 Golden Boot award in 2017 and 2018, is now playing in Italy and is continuing to rack up goals on the other side of the ocean.
Kovacevich is now a professional player for Roma Serie B in the Italian National League, living in Italy and continuing to turn heads every time she gets the ball. FC LONDON is working on a mid-season international transfer so that she can participate in several games throughout the season before heading back to Italy in the fall. Exciting stuff for FC LONDON, for the league, for Canadian soccer, and especially for Jade!
“We talk about players getting to the next level, and seeing Jade in another team’s uniform is bittersweet,” says Michael Marcoccia, FC LONDON’s head coach. “We’re energized as a club that we’ve been a small part of helping to raise the bar … and we’re hoping that Jade is the first of many who will take it to the next level.”
Both League1 teams started their seasons on the road. Many of the players have come up from the U21 teams from previous years and have created well-rounded squads for the 2019 season. The men’s team will finish their regular season on August 15, at which point they’ll begin an eight-team playoff round and close out the year around September 1. On the women’s side, only six teams will make the playoffs, and the season will wrap up by August 15, which will allow for players who are on scholarships to return to school (it will also add an extra level of excitement to the regular season!).
Through its affiliation Toronto FC, the 2017 MLS Champions, FC LONDON continues to bring top-level coaching to the region. Affiliate clubs, such as Strathroy Football Club, St. Thomas Soccer Club and Lambeth Soccer Club, all benefit from an increased level of professional coaching provided by Toronto FC coaches. For more information about the upcoming season, including schedules, rosters and ticket information, please visit www.fclondon.ca.
Submitted by FC LONDON
