Huntsville City FC Announces Returning Players for 2025 Season

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MLS NEXT Pro Huntsville City Football Club

Huntsville City FC Announces Returning Players for 2025 Season

November 12, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Huntsville City Football Club News Release


Huntsville, Ala. - Huntsville City Football Club announced today the return of four players for the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season: defender Kessy Coulibaly, midfielder Patrick Amarh, and forward Jordan Knight. Additionally, the club has signed midfielder Ethan O'Brien on a permanent transfer from Indy Eleven FC.

Coulibaly came to Huntsville in 2024 from MFK Vyskov in the Czech Republic's Fortuna Narodni Liga. As a Boy in Blue, the defender made three appearances, including his MLS NEXT Pro debut on March 30 vs. Columbus Crew 2. The Frenchman recorded an 86.6% passing accuracy and completed two key passes in his appearances in 2024.

Following a season-ending injury in the 2024 preseason, Amarh will look to make his Huntsville City FC and MLS NEXT Pro debut in 2025. The Ghanaian joined the Rocket City from the Ghana Premier League's Inter Allies FC. He also spent time on loan with Elite Falcons FC in the United Arab Emirates before joining the Boys in Blue.

O'Brien joined Huntsville City FC on May 31 on loan from Indy Eleven FC of the USL Championship. As a Boy in Blue, O'Brien made 15 appearances and 13 starts, wearing the captain's armband in Huntsville's match on Sept. 29 at Carolina Core FC. O'Brien won Huntsville City FC Goal of the Season for his curling strike from outside the box in HCFC's 1-1 draw at Crown Legacy FC on Aug. 4.

Knight joined the Boys in Blue on June 22 from two-time MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Champions Columbus Crew 2. He made his HCFC debut one day later against FC Cincinnati 2 and scored the first goal of the season one matchweek later against Carolina Core FC in his Huntsville home debut. In total, Knight made 10 appearances and six starts as a Boy in Blue. He also made history as the first Huntsville player to appear in a Leagues Cup match when he was subbed on for parent club Nashville SC on July 31 vs. Mazatlán FC.

Director of Soccer Operations Matt Cairns, Managing Director of Business Operations Chad Emerson and Head Coach Chris O'Neal will address the media Thursday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. CT in-person at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium and via Zoom to discuss the returning players and their vision for the 2025 season. Media interested in attending must email communications@huntsvillecityfc.com by 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

The best and most affordable way for fans to see the Boys in Blue in action is to buy season tickets for the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season by visiting MLSNextPro.com/HuntsvilleCityFC/Tickets or by calling 256-864-6426, ext. 2.

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