James Kevin Matthew O'Connor (born 1 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer who is the President of Soccer Holdings, which is the holding company of USL Louisville City Football Club and NWSL Racing Louisville. He oversees all of the Soccer Holdings operations including all business aspects and soccer operations.
O'Connor began his career with Stoke City and after progressing their youth team he helped them to victory in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final and 2002 Football League Second Division play-off final. After making over 200 appearances for the Potters, he left to join Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2003. He spent one season at The Hawthorns before moving on to Burnley. O'Connor became a regular at Turf Moor making 149 appearances in four seasons at the club. In June 2008 he joined Sheffield Wednesday where he had spent four years making over 150 appearances. In January 2012 he moved to the United States to play for Orlando City. At international level, he played for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.
He retired from playing in the summer of 2014 to become head coach of Louisville City.
Club career O'Connor was born in Bray and joined English club Stoke City in 1996 after being spotted by the club's Irish base scouts. He made his debut in the 1998–99 season before becoming a regular in the team in 1999–2000. He scored eight goals in 55 appearances as Stoke reached the play-offs where they lost to Gillingham although he did play in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final where Stoke beat Bristol City 2–1 and his performances during the season earn him the player of the year award. He played 54 times in 2000–01 for Stoke scoring ten goals as they again failed in the play-offs losing to Walsall. He played in 50 matches in 2001–02 as Stoke finally won promotion via the play-offs, beating Brentford 2–0 in the 2002 Football League Second Division play-off final. He played 47 times in 2002–03 helping Stoke avoid relegation before he turned down the offer of a new contract.
He moved to West Bromwich Albion in summer 2003 for a fee of £250,000 and made his debut in the 4–1 defeat to Walsall. He spent a successful three-month loan spell with Burnley in 2004–05. That season he made only two substitute appearances for West Bromwich Albion and moved to Burnley permanently to pursue first-team football, signing on transfer deadline day in 2005 for a £175,000 fee where he became a popular player with the fans.
His form at the start of the 2006–07 season at Burnley was among the best of his career. However, by the start of the 2007–08 season he seemed to be relegated to a squad player's role. The departure of Steve Cotterill as Burnley manager brought Owen Coyle in and he immediately restored O'Connor to the starting eleven. O'Connor responded by resuming his previous good form as the team's results improved. He was offered a new contract at the end of the 2007–08 season but when O'Connor asked for more time to consider his options, Coyle withdrew the offer and released him. O'Connor confirmed in an interview on BBC Radio Lancashire on 23 May that he was about to start a coaching course before deciding on his future.
O'Connor confirmed his move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on 27 June 2008 following a month of speculation surrounding the move in the press. He joined the club on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling after turning down the offer to extend his stay at Turf Moor.
International career O'Connor played for the Ireland at Under-21 level.
Coaching career On 10 January 2012, O'Connor signed with American third-tier side Orlando City of USL Pro.http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/teamnews/index.html?article_id=626 He became a player-coach in 2013 with the team. He then became manager of Louisville City (Orlando City sold their rights to a USL Pro team to an investor group in Louisville, Kentucky). In March 2017, O'Connor extended his contract with Louisville City through the 2020 season.
On 29 June 2018, Louisville City announced that O'Connor would depart the club after its match against New York Red Bulls II the next day to become head coach of Orlando City SC in MLS, replacing Jason Kreis, who was sacked two weeks earlier. A trio of players – George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo and Luke Spencer – would serve as player-coaches on an interim basis until a replacement was announced. He was sacked at the end of the 2019 season with the team having missed out on playoffs again and remaining 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Personal life O'Connor's two brothers, Danny and Kevin both played for Bray Wanderers.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1998–99Second Division40000010501999–2000Second Division4251031925582000–01Second Division44810524054102001–02Second Division4324000315032002–03First Division4303010—470Total17616909217421122West Bromwich Albion2003–04First Division3001050—3602004–05Premier League001010—20Total3002060—380Burnley2004–05Championship2121010—2322005–06Championship4531030—4932006–07Championship4231010—4432007–08Championship2931030—333Total137114080—4911Sheffield Wednesday2008–09Championship4101010—4302009–10Championship4431010—4632010–11League One3624020324542011–12League One181102010221Total13967060421568Orlando City2012USL Pro2101000002202013USL Pro1903000302502014USL Pro1000000010Total410400030480Career total5233326029224660241
Managerial statistics All competitive games (league and domestic cups) are included.
+Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordLouisville City4 June 201430 June 2018Orlando City2 July 20187 October 2019Career total
Honours Stoke City Football League Second Division play-offs: 2002 Football League Trophy: 1999–2000
Orlando City USL Pro Championship: 2013
Louisville City FC USL Championship: 2017
Individual Stoke Player of the Year: 1999–2000
References
External links
Article on O'Connor leaving Burnley at Claretsmad.com