LouCity just, like, just, announced the signing of U.S. U17 International Akil Watts to the club!
What’s an Akil Watts? Well, it’s a right back, thank the FSM. He was most recently playing in Spain with Mallorca’s B team, but I guess was seduced by former U17 coach Hackworth’s wiles to come to Louisville.
Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana Watts developed with Portland Timbers’ academy before skipping out on college soccer to go play in Spain. Per the U.S. Soccer Blog:
Watts is an incredibly versatile player; he can effectively play in the midfield, but he has found a home at right back for Mallorca and for the USYNT. He is a player that is poised to get forward into the attack, and his willingness to track back and help the team defend
is almost unparalleled. When going forward, he often finds himself at the right place to put the ball in the back of the net for an occasional goal, but when he isn’t scoring, he is very capable in possession with his smooth technique. He has the kind of technique that when you watch him, the stuff he is able to do looks effortless, but in reality, is a product of tireless work and dedication to his trade.
All I got out of that blurb was “he plays right back,” which is all we really need to know. Hooray! Let’s welcome Akil to Louisville.