Colorado Springs, CO (December 24, 2020) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has signed Jimmy Ockford, pending league and federation approval.
"I am looking forward to continuing my career with a club that has incredible potential," said Ockford. "It's exciting to be in a beautiful city with a new stadium in a great location. I played for Brendan Burke during my PDL days and know he will bring the qualities needed for this club to make an impact in the league."
Ockford was the 21st overall pick by the Seattle Sounders in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft after playing for the University of Louisville in 2013. The central defender made one MLS appearance for Seattle while going on loan with the New York Cosmos (2014), the Tacoma Defiance (2015), and the Cosmos again in 2016 where he won the NASL regular season and Soccer Bowl Trophy.
Ockford solidified himself in the starting lineup at Reno 1868 in 2017, making 31 appearances and scoring four goals as they reached the USL Championship Playoffs in their expansion season. He was then signed by the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in 2018, appearing in 15 games before going on loan back to Reno 1868 and Nashville SC in 2019.
With Ockford’s help, Nashville led the USL Championship in goals allowed (28) and was second in clean sheets (16). The Yardley, Pennsylvania, native, started all 16 matches he was available to play and totaled 66 clearances, five blocks, and 30 interceptions. He scored in his Nashville debut and then again he found the back of the net for a stoppage time winner over Louisville City on October 8, 2019. That goal was named Nashville’s 2019 Goal of the Year in a vote by Nashville fans.
Ockford most recently played for Louisville City FC in 2020, playing in 11 games to help bolster the USL Championship's best defense in recording 9 clean sheets.
"I couldn't be more pleased to be reuniting with Jimmy after our time together long ago at Reading United. Jimmy has gone on to represent two different clubs in MLS, win an NASL Championship with New York and be part of 5 USL Championship playoff teams," said Switchbacks Head Coach, Brendan Burke. "He knows the Western Conference and most recently has been a key part of some of USL's biggest clubs in Nashville and Louisville. This experience will be a key to our growth as a club and maturation into a playoff team. He is a quiet leader and a very good defender. We are lucky to bringing on a player and person of Jimmy's caliber."
Ockford played in USL League Two with Reading United AC in 2013 under Switchbacks Head Coach, Brendan Burke before winning the American Athletic Conference Defender of the Year in his first year at the University of Louisville.
Name: Jimmy Ockford
Position: Defender
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 185 lbs
Date of Birth: June 10, 1992
Age: 28
Hometown: Yardley, Pennsylvania
Colorado Springs, CO (December 24, 2020) – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced today that the club has signed Jimmy Ockford, pending league and federation approval.
“I am looking forward to continuing my career with a club that has incredible potential,” said Ockford. “It’s exciting to be in a beautiful city with a new stadium in a great location. I played for Brendan Burke during my PDL days and know he will bring the qualities needed for this club to make an impact in the league.”
Ockford was the 21st overall pick by the Seattle Sounders in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft after playing for the University of Louisville in 2013. The central defender made one MLS appearance for Seattle while going on loan with the New York Cosmos (2014), the Tacoma Defiance (2015), and the Cosmos again in 2016 where he won the NASL regular season and Soccer Bowl Trophy.
Ockford solidified himself in the starting lineup at Reno 1868 in 2017, making 31 appearances and scoring four goals as they reached the USL Championship Playoffs in their expansion season. He was then signed by the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in 2018, appearing in 15 games before going on loan back to Reno 1868 and Nashville SC in 2019.
With Ockford’s help, Nashville led the USL Championship in goals allowed (28) and was second in clean sheets (16). The Yardley, Pennsylvania, native, started all 16 matches he was available to play and totaled 66 clearances, five blocks, and 30 interceptions. He scored in his Nashville debut and then again he found the back of the net for a stoppage time winner over Louisville City on October 8, 2019. That goal was named Nashville’s 2019 Goal of the Year in a vote by Nashville fans.
Ockford most recently played for Louisville City FC in 2020, playing in 11 games to help bolster the USL Championship’s best defense in recording 9 clean sheets.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to be reuniting with Jimmy after our time together long ago at Reading United. Jimmy has gone on to represent two different clubs in MLS, win an NASL Championship with New York and be part of 5 USL Championship playoff teams,” said Switchbacks Head Coach, Brendan Burke. “He knows the Western Conference and most recently has been a key part of some of USL’s biggest clubs in Nashville and Louisville. This experience will be a key to our growth as a club and maturation into a playoff team. He is a quiet leader and a very good defender. We are lucky to bringing on a player and person of Jimmy’s caliber.”
Ockford played in USL League Two with Reading United AC in 2013 under Switchbacks Head Coach, Brendan Burke before winning the American Athletic Conference Defender of the Year in his first year at the University of Louisville.
Name: Jimmy Ockford
Position: Defender
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 185 lbs
Date of Birth: June 10, 1992
Age: 28
Hometown: Yardley, Pennsylvania
