JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Thursday the transfer of 2015 USL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner Matt Fondy from Louisville City FC.
The 26-year-old striker, along with Armada FC defender Bryan Burke, who signed with Jacksonville in December, helped lead Louisville City to the Eastern Conference final in its first season in the league. He scored 22 goals, six of which were game-winners, and notched seven assists after starting every league match.
“Matt Fondy is a guy who is hungry to score goals,” said Tony Meola, Armada FC head coach and technical director. “He proved last year in the USL that he has a knack for scoring goals by leading the league, and we’re confident that will translate to the NASL and our efforts here in Jacksonville.”
His goal mark from 2015 shattered the league’s previous high mark of 20. A 6-foot-1 native of Foster City, Calif., Fondy was also named to the All-USL first team. Before making the move to Louisville City, Fondy made 15 combined appearances for MLS clubs Chicago Fire (2014) and Chivas USA (2013). He has tallied 38 total goals in USL play, which includes stops with the Los Angeles Blues (2012) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2011).
Between 2007-10, Fondy led the line for the University of California, Santa Cruz, collecting a 2010 NSCAA Division III All-American honor while with the Banana Slugs.
The Armada FC also announced it released forward Tommy Krizanovic and defenders Nurdin Hrustic and Jordan Gafa.
Krizanovic finished last season with 578 minutes of action in 17 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic played 239 minutes in 11 NASL matches in 2015, while Gafa made five appearances and logged 135 minutes in NASL play while also making a U.S. Open Cup start in an injury-shortened 2015.
The Armada FC preseason kicks off against the Philadelphia Union at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Tickets, starting at $10, can be purchased by calling 1.844.2.ARMADA or visiting armadafc.com/tickets.