Woodford County soccer standout Owen Damm goes pro with state鈥檚 USL team Louisville City FC
VERSAILLES, Ky. (BVM) 鈥� It is rare for a high school athlete to make the jump from the prep levels to the pros at a young age. When this happens, most sports fans immediately think of basketball and players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. However, high school soccer players get the opportunity to make the jump, granted they graduate, and that鈥檚 just what happened to Woodford County senior soccer player Owen Damm when he signed to join the United Soccer League鈥檚 Louisville City FC.
鈥淚t feels great. It鈥檚 what I was working for,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淚 joined the Academy two years ago and it feels good. It鈥檚 what I was trying to accomplish when I joined the club.鈥�
Yet another academy player to join the first team ranks. 馃槇
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc)
Damm, who worked closely with the LouCity coaching staff under a USL Academy deal that allowed him to keep his amateur status, became the fourth player in the past year to be signed off an Academy deal with the team. The 18-year-old defender felt being a part of the Academy helped him prepare for this opportunity, especially having already worked with team players and coaches.
鈥淭he Academy ultimately prepared me to be a professional,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淢y coaches pushed me. They were my harshest critics, but that prepared me to be a professional.鈥�
The chance to join the professional ranks out of high school, for his home state team no less, was a shock to Damm but one that he feels puts him in the best situation.
鈥淚 was surprised, but after that I was super excited because it鈥檚 really perfect,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e in my home state, they鈥檙e professional, it鈥檚 really all I could ask for.鈥�
The defender comes to LouCity after a strong career leading the Woodford County High School Yellow Jackets. A three-time all-state member, Damm quickly established himself as one of the state鈥檚 best scorers, scoring 70 goals in just 34 games over the past two seasons.聽
鈥淎s an outside back I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 more attacking,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淚 think I bring offense to a position that鈥檚 not known for attacking play as much.鈥�
This included a stellar senior season this past summer and fall where Damm scored 48 goals in 19 games for the Yellow Jackets, leading the team to a 13-5-1 record and a 30th District Championship. Damm鈥檚 48 goals earned him the No. 3 spot in the state for goals scored on the season and a spot on the first team all-state squad.
鈥淚 love high school soccer, I love my hometown and my high school so going back to play a fifth year was great for me,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淚 played a different position in high school, but I loved playing for my hometown.鈥�
Having grown up roughly an hour away from Louisville, the spot with LouCity FC also gives Damm the chance to play in front of his loved ones and others from his home city. This only adds to the youngster鈥檚 excitement for the upcoming season.
鈥淚t鈥檚 perfect really,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淢y parents like to watch me play so it鈥檚 good for them too. But to be able to represent a city near my hometown, it鈥檚 all I can ask for.鈥�
The path to pro: Complete. 鉁嶏笍
The day our latest signee, Owen Damm, put pen to paper.
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc)
While Damm had many opportunities to play at the collegiate level, he decided the chance to play professionally close to his hometown, only an hour away, was a big draw. Also was the fact that Damm will not be left without a college degree as he will continue studying by majoring in sports management through Bellevue University, the USL鈥檚 Official Education Partner.
鈥淭he higher education is ultimately what decided it for me,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淲hen I heard they could provide me with Bellevue higher education, I was in. That was the only thing I was looking for, really.鈥�
While it remains to be seen just what kind of role the youngster will carve out during his first professional season, the coaching staff is excited for the chance to mold the young prospect for the future.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a young player who has an extremely high ceiling, and we’re looking forward to watching his development in the professional setting,鈥� Louisville City FC head coach Danny Cruz 鈥淚t’s been really impressive to see his growth over the last couple of years. He has an exciting future ahead.鈥�
As he prepares to enter perhaps the biggest season of his soccer career, Damm will try to make his home state proud as he dons the purple for the first time.聽
鈥淚 want to come in starting so preseason is going to be big. I鈥檓 going to have to make an impact,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淥bviously at the end of the season [my goals are] winning the Eastern Conference Championship, the USL Championship, all that stuff.鈥�
Ultimately, Damm wants to bring a league title back to his home before his career with Louisville City FC is done.
鈥淚t would mean the world,鈥� Damm said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 all the fans want, the players want, the coaches want so that鈥檇 be amazing if that could happen.鈥�
The USL regular season will begin on March 11.
