Louisville City FC coach James O'Connor talks about the team's upcoming preseason trip to IMG Academy. Video courtesy of Jonathan Lintner, LCFC

Louisville City FC midfielder Niall McCabe kicks the ball away from Orlando City B midfielder Antonio Rocha as Louisville City takes on Orlando City B at Slugger Field during LouCity's 2-1 loss on Saturday, July 30, 2016.(Photo: David R. Lutman/Special to the CJ)Buy Photo

Louisville City FC midfielder Niall McCabe is nearing aclean bill of health.

McCabe underwent season-ending surgery last September to repair a lefthip labral tearbut according to Louisville City coach James O'Connor, the 26-year-old is recovering at a rapid pace.

"(He's) really good. Hes probably ahead of where we thought he would be," O'Connor said Friday ahead of the team's two-week trip to IMG Academyto kick off preseason training. "He did a 5K run the other night inside 20 minutes which was great, so hes in good (condition). He had a little bit of pain. For us its probably about trying to hold him back a little bit, to be honest, because hes probably going to want to get training all the time. We need to be a little bit careful with him. But again, hes a player that epitomizes what were all about. Great character, great team player, so we're really encouraged to see him looking so strong."

O'Connor added that it will likelybe teamathletic trainer Scott Ritter's decision on whether to hold McCabe out of certain sessions or let him fully participate with the team.

Well need to probably be a little sensible," O'Connor said."FromNialls standpoint he will want to train every day and it will probably be Scott to tell the two of us to go easy. (Niall) gets it. We just need to manage him. Once we get back from Florida, it will probably be a bit easier then."

The Irishman played 21 times in 2016 and scored two goals and four assists, battling through injuries during the season before being shut down in mid-August. McCabe is one of just six remaining players on the team from Louisville City's inaugural season in 2015.

McCabe hasbeen tweeting about his rehab process during the offseason, having chosen to remain in Louisville instead of return home to Ireland.

Fitness levels up to standard

Each returning Louisville City player was given a list of offseason fitness requirements to complete prior to arriving back in Louisville this week, and according to O'Connor, the team passed easily.

"Im really encouraged about how strong they look, and Ive been really pleased with their application in the offseason," O'Connor said."Its been fantastic to see. Really encouraged going into preseason."

O'Connor said that the two-week trip to the IMG Academy is mainly to build the team's fitness base, before delving into tactical and technical work back in Louisville.

Ballard, Spencer join club

Louisville City's invitation-only tryout in January yielded at least two signings so far: Richard Ballard and Luke Spencer.

Ballard, a midfielder/forward who joins after completing his redshirt senior season at Indiana, is a Louisville native and graduate of duPont Manual High School. Spencer is a Cincinnati native who starred as a forward at Xavier and was drafted in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft before successive knee injuries kept him off the field until 2016, when he signed withFC Cincinnati in its inaugural season.

The two players were both on the team's radar prior to the tryout.

"We first saw Richard back in our first year he scored against us at IU," O'Connor said."He had a strike from the edge of the box. Obviously with him being from Louisville he was someone that Id always monitored and watched. He did great at the individual tryouts, showed great athleticism and can strike a ball. Good attitude and team player.

Luke caught the eye last year when we were at IMG. He was someone we were aware of and we spoke to a lot of people who are with him and he came in and showed great character and attitude, and worked very hard in the invitational tryout. Hes something different to Cameron (Lancaster) and (Ilija Ilic)which I think is important. Were delighted to be able to sign both of the guys."

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After four seasons as a midfielder, Indiana coach Todd Yeagley inserted Ballard into the starting lineup as a forward in 2016. Ballard scored four goals and set up two helpers last season, and adds more versatility to the Louisville City squad.

"Ive spoken to (IU coach) Todd (Yeagley)a lot about Richard, and with Richard hes got such great pace that the temptation is to play him up top. But he can play out wide and in a number of positions. When you have the pace he has and you can strike a ball like he can, you want him close to goal. But well see."

Team enjoys day out at paintball course

Before hitting the field ahead of the 2017 season, Louisville City got their adrenaline pumping in a different arena.

On Thursday, the team visited a local paintball course, enjoying a chance to bond as a team. Of course, as the coach, O'Connor was the favorite target of many of his players. "(It was) pretty painful to be honest," O'Connor joked.

O'Connor said the idea came at the end of last season from University of Louisville grad Paolo DelPiccolo.

"It was great," O'Connor said."I think for the new players to meet some of the older guys and to see them all together and have a bit of fun was great. For us it was a really important exercise and something were glad we did.

Trialists traveling to Florida

Louisville City will bring a pair of unsigned players with the team to Florida.

O'Connor confirmed that the team will take two unsigned goalkeepers to battle for the third and final goalkeeper position at the club. O'Connor did not disclose the identities of the players.

"We will sign a thirdgoalkeeper," O'Connor said."We experienced last year with Greg (Ranjitsingh) getting called up to have to call Scott (Goodwin) back, and its something we wanted this year to have an in-house third goalkeeper just in case that situation arises. Theres twolads that will come down with us and well see how play.

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Louisville City notes: McCabe making progress - The Courier-Journal