News Summary
Lexington Sporting Club (LSC) is undergoing significant changes to its roster in the USL Super League after a disappointing previous season. The club has officially signed Emina Ekic, the USL Super League Player of the Year, as part of their strategy to improve performance. This move, along with others including the acquisition of midfielder Addie McCain, marks LSC’s commitment to a successful future. Under new head coach Masaki Hemmi, the team aims to enhance its competitive edge ahead of the upcoming season, kicking off against Fort Lauderdale.
Lexington, KY – Lexington Sporting Club (LSC) is taking bold steps to revamp its roster and enhance its performance in the USL Super League following a disappointing last-place finish in the 2023 season. On Friday, they announced the signing of Emina Ekic, who was recognized as the USL Super League Player of the Year last season, marking a pivotal moment in the team’s efforts to improve its standing.
The addition of Ekic aligns with LSC’s broader strategy of overhauling a squad that struggled significantly during its inaugural season, where it recorded only 10 wins out of 28 matches, conceding a league-high 62 goals. In addition to Ekic, LSC plans to announce further signings aimed at rebuilding the team ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Local Talent Shines
Ekic, a Louisville native, boasts an impressive soccer pedigree. She played college soccer at the University of Louisville from 2017 to 2020, becoming the first player from the school to receive the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor in 2020. During her time at Louisville, she scored 29 goals and contributed 19 assists, demonstrating her offensive prowess.
Her accolades began early, as she was named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2015-16 season while at DuPont Manual High School.
Professional Career Progression
In the last season of the Super League, Ekic played for the Spokane (Wash.) Zephyr, where she led the team in goals with 10 and earned a spot on the All-League First Team. Prior to that, she was the fifth overall pick in the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League draft by Racing Louisville. Over three seasons with Racing, Ekic participated in 41 games and scored 3 goals.
During her time in Australia with Melbourne City, where she was sent on loan in 2023, she made significant contributions by scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist before suffering a lower leg injury. Ekic also made history by receiving her first international call-up to the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team, competing in UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying matches.
Team Changes and Future Prospects
LSC’s roster overhaul is not limited to Ekic. The club also secured the services of Addie McCain, another impressive midfielder who was acquired via the highest transfer fee in Super League history after a successful stint at Fort Lauderdale United.
Upcoming changes are complemented by the leadership of new head coach Masaki Hemmi, who brings experience from his previous role as the interim head coach for the Chicago Stars in the NWSL. The changes come ahead of a friendly match against Racing Louisville, which ended in a draw, and they aim to lay the groundwork for a more competitive season.
The Super League season for the Lexington Sporting Club is set to kick off on August 23, when they will face off against Fort Lauderdale, the former team of newly acquired McCain. As LSC works to turn its fortunes around, the addition of talent like Ekic and McCain represents a strategic focus on enhancing the team’s competitive edge.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Lexington Sporting Club Roster Revamp
- Spokesman Review: Emina Ekic’s Performance
- Spokesman Review: Zephyr Players Earn All-League Honors
- Tribal Football: NWSL Women’s Football Update
- Wikipedia: Emina Ekic
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
