Yardley native signs with Reno 1868 FC

Yardley native and former Seattle Sounders defender Jimmy Ockford will be back in USL for the 2017 season, signing on with expansion team Reno 1868 FC.

Ockford, 24, made only one appearance for the Sounders first team after being drafted 21st overall out of the University of Louisville in 2014 while making 13 appearances for Seattle’s USL team and 10 appearances on loan to the New York Cosmos in the NASL.

Prior to converting to center back at Louisville, the 6-foot-1 Ockford was a forward for Mount St. Mary’s for three seasons. The Pennsylvania native starred in high school for Pennsbury and played club soccer for YMS Xplosion. He also spent one season at Reading United before his senior year at Louisville.

Philadelphia Union fans probably remember Ockford best for his late sending off in a wild hard fought win over the Cosmos in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup.

His signing is the seventh for the new USL team. Former Ocean City Nor’easters defender Jordan Murrell is among the early signings for the team.

“Jimmy (Ockford) is a very solid center back and a proven leader,” said Ian Russell, head coach of Reno 1868 FC, in a news release. “I believe he will make a big impact this year.”