George Davis IV (born August 5, 1987) is an American former professional soccer player who previously played for Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. Currently, he is the Director of the LouCity & Racing Foundation.[1]

George Davis IV
Davis playing for Louisville City in 2017
Personal information
Full name George Davis IV
Date of birth (1987-08-05) August 5, 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Lima, Ohio, United States
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Forward
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Bowling Green Falcons
2007–2009 Kentucky Wildcats
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 Cleveland Internationals 3 (0)
2010–2011 Dayton Dutch Lions 39 (12)
2012–2013 Los Angeles Blues 39 (8)
2012Orlando City (loan) 7 (0)
2014–2015 Richmond Kickers 53 (19)
2016–2021 Louisville City 123 (23)
Managerial career
2012–2016 Northwestern Ohio Racers (assistant)
2016–2017 Hanover Panthers (assistant)
2018 Louisville City (joint interim)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 5, 2021

Early life

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Personal

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Davis was born in Dayton, Ohio, to George Davis III.[2] He attended Elida High School where he played soccer; lettering in the sport for three years. While at Elida he was named to the Western Buckeye League All League team three times and was named to the All-Northwest District All District team twice.[3]

College and youth

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Davis played two years of college soccer at Bowling Green State University between 2005 and 2006. During his two seasons at Bowling Green Davis would appear in 36 matches; starting 32; and score three goals with two assists. [3]

Prior to this Junior year Davis transferred and played two years of college soccer at the University of Kentucky between 2007 and 2009.[3] During his two seasons at Kentucky Davis appeared in 26 matches and score two goals with three assists.[4] During his Junior year Davis and Kentucky reached the championship game of the 2009 Conference USA Men's Soccer Tournament but lost on penalties to Tulsa.[5] The final goal of his college career came in his final game as a Senior when he came off the bench in the 2009 Conference USA Men's Soccer Tournament against Tulsa. After the tournament Davis was named to the Conference USA All Tournament team.[4]

In 2006 Davis also played with the Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League going goalless over three matches.[6]

Club career

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Dayton Dutch Lions

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Following his final season at Kentucky, Davis joined the Dayton Dutch Lions in 2010 for their debut season in the USL Premier Development League.[7] He made his season debut on May 8 against the Cincinnati Kings and appeared in 16 matches for the club, scoring five goals and contributing seven assists.

Davis turned professional with the Lions following their self-promotion to the USL Professional Division in 2011.[8] He made his professional debut on April 16, 2011, in the Lions' season-opening game against the Charleston Battery.[9] He led the team with seven goals and two assists for 16 points, earning USL PRO All-League Second Team honors.[10]

Los Angeles Blues

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2012 season

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Davis signed with Los Angeles Blues of USL Pro on January 26[11] and made his season debut on April 14 against Rochester.[12] He went on to appear in 12 of Los Angeles' first 14 league matches as well as their one U.S. Open Cup match against Ventura County;[13] going goalless across all competitions.

Loan to Orlando
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In mid July Davis was loaned to USL Pro side Orlando City SC[14] and made his Orlando on July 14 against Rochester.[15] He appeared in seven of Orlando's last eight league matches going goalless as Orlando won the USL regular season championship.[16] Davis also played in Orlando's lone USL Cup match against Wilmington scoring a goal in stoppage time; his only goal of the 2012 campaign. Orlando lost the match 3–4.[17]

2013 season

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Davis returned to the Los Angeles Blues for the 2013 season and made his season debut on March 23 against Phoenix FC where he scored the opening goal of Los Angeles' season.[18] He became an integral part of Los Angeles' team appearing in 24 of their 26 league matches while scoring eight goals and would only miss matches due to a hamstring injury.[19] He also appeared in one of Los Angeles' two U.S. Open Cup matches scoring one goal in a 1–2 loss to Chivas USA[20] as well as their lone USL Cup match going goalless. After the season Davis was named to the USL All-League Second Team for the second time in his career.[21]

Richmond Kickers

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2014 season

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On February 28 Davis signed with United Soccer League side Richmond Kickers[10] and made his season debut on March 29 against Charleston where he scored a brace.[22] He appeared in all 28 of Richmond's league matches and was second on the team to Matthew Delicâte in both goals and points with 11 and 27 respectively.[23] He also appeared in all three of Richmond's U.S. Open Cup matches scoring a goal in each[24] as well appearing in both of Richmond's USL Cup matches going goalless. His league marks in both goals and points ranked in the top ten of all USL players[23] and after the season Davis was named to the USL All-League First Team.[25]

2015 season

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Davis returned to the Richmond Kickers, appeared in 25 of Richmond's 28 league matches, and made his season debut on March 28 against Wilmington.[26] He scored eight goals in league play including his first professional Hat-trick on April 18 against Charlotte.[27] His final goal of the league campaign came in Richmond's final game against Toronto FC II; earning them the sixth and final spot in the USL Cup playoffs.[28] Davis then appeared in Richmond's lone USL Cup match failing to score a goal.[29] He also appeared in two of Richmond's three U.S. Open Cup matches scoring one goal against the Jacksonville Armada.[30]

Louisville City FC

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2016 season

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On January 15 Davis signed with United Soccer League side Louisville City FC[4] and he made his season debut on March 26 against Charlotte.[31] He appeared in 27 of Louisville' 30 league matches and scored five goals to be the team's second leading goal scorer behind Chandler Hoffman.[32] He also appeared in one of Louisville's two U.S. Open Cup matches going goalless as Louisville lost to Indy Eleven 2–1.[33] In the USL Cup playoffs he appeared in all three of Louisville's matches and scored one goal in extra time against Richmond.[32] Louisville eventually lost in the Eastern Conference final against New York Red Bulls II in a Penalty shoot-out.[34]

2017 season

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Davis resigned with Louisville City FC on November 30, 2016[35] and made his season debut on March 25 against Saint Louis FC.[36] He appeared in 26 of Louisville's 32 league matches and was tied for second on the team with Cameron Lancaster with 7 goals;[37] including three in his final five league matches.[38] He also appeared in both of Louisville's U.S. Open Cup matches as well as all four of their USL Cup matches going goalless in both competitions. Davis and Louisville went on to win the USL Cup Final against Swope Park[39]

2018 season

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Davis had his contract renewed with Louisville City FC[40] and he made his season debut on March 17 against USL expansion side Nashville SC.[41] He went on to appear in 30 of Louisville's 34 league matches scoring eight goals. The third most on the team behind Cameron Lancaster and Ilija Ilić.[32] On August 5 he scored his 50th goal in USL competition. Just the fourth player in the USL's modern era to do so.[42] He also appeared in all five of Louisville's U.S. Open Cup matches as Louisville reached the quarter finals of the competition for the first time in its history.[43] This included a 3–2 victory over the New England Revolution of MLS; Louisville's first victory over an MLS side.[44] Davis also appeared in all four of Louisville's USL Cup playoff matches as he and Louisville went on to win the USL Cup Final against Phoenix.[45]

Davis announced his retirement from professional soccer on January 20, 2022.[46]

Managerial career

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University of Northwestern Ohio

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Davis served as an assistant coach for the University of Northwestern Ohio under Gavin Oldham from 2012 until 2016. While Davis was on the coaching staff Northwestern Ohio made the 2014 NAIA national semi-final and won the 2015 WHAC Tournament Championship.[3]

Hanover College

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Davis joined the Hanover College coaching staff in 2016 as an assistant under Matt Wilkerson. Hanover won the HCAC tournament in 2017.[47]

Louisville City FC

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On July 1, 2018, was Davis appointed Joint Interim Manager of Louisville City FC as a player-manager along with teammates Luke Spencer and Paolo DelPiccolo following the departure of James O'Connor for Orlando City SC.[48] He made his managerial debut on July 7 against Tampa Bay[49] and amassed a 4–2–1 record before being replaced by John Hackworth.[50] His last match as manager was on August 10 against New York Red Bulls II after which he returned to his player duties.[51]

Career Statistics

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Club Season League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dayton Dutch Lions 2011 USL Championship 23 7 1 0 24 7
Los Angeles Blues 2012 12 0 0 0 12 0
2013 25 8 1 0 26 8
Total 60 15 2 0 62 15
Orlando City SC (loan) 2012 USL Championship 8 1 0 0 8 1
Richmond Kickers 2014 30 11 2 3 32 14
2015 26 8 2 1 28 9
Total 64 20 4 4 68 24
Louisville City FC 2016 USL Championship 30 6 1 0 31 6
2017 30 7 2 0 32 7
2018 34 8 5 0 39 8
2019 32 3 3 0 35 3
2020 2 0 - - 2 0
2021 9 0 - - 9 0
Total 137 24 11 0 148 24
Career Total 261 59 17 4 278 63

Honors

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Club

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Orlando City SC

Louisville City FC

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ Holton, Brooks (May 16, 2022). "George Davis IV named program director of Louisville City FC's outreach organization". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: Louisville Courier Journal. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022. Davis was recently named the program director of the LouCity & Racing Foundation, a charitable organization working to promote community health by growing the sport of soccer.
  2. ^ Dorr Jr, Vic (April 5, 2014). "Davis is adjusting quickly to life as a Kicker". www.richmond.com. Richmond, VA: Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "University Of Northwestern Ohio – 2016 Men's Soccer Roster". www.unohracers.com. Lima, OH: University Of Northwestern Ohio. 2016. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Lintner, Jonathan (January 15, 2016). "Louisville City FC signs former UK player". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "#24 Kentucky vs #7 Tulsa (Nov 16, 2008 at Dallas, Texas)" (PDF). grfx.cstv.com. Dallas, TX. November 16, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  6. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  7. ^ Kozlowski, Ryan (May 10, 2010). "5/10/2010: Bearcat Standout Judson McKinney Signed With Lions Before Kings Game, More Information on Other Two Recent Signings Davis and Giallombardo". o10legionnaire.blogspot.com. Dayton, OH: The Orange Legionnaire. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  8. ^ Dutch Lions Sign Seymour, also add former PDL players Davis IV, Schwartz Archived 2011-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Charleston Battery at Dayton Dutch Lions 2:1". www.uslsoccer.com. USL. April 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Davis IV Signs With Kickers". Richmond, VA. Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  11. ^ "Blues Sign Attacking Ace Davis". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. Fullerton, CA: USL. Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  12. ^ "One-Nil to the Rhinos". www.rhinossoccer.com. Rochester, NY: Rochester Rhinos. Archived from the original on 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  13. ^ Orr, Michael (May 23, 2012). "2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Ventura County uses extra time to get revenge on LA Blues". thecup.us. US Open Cup. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  14. ^ Max Griffin loaned to LA Blues in exchange for George Davis IV[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Match Recap: Orlando City v. Rochester Rhinos". www.orlandocitysc.com. Orlando, FL: OCSC. 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  16. ^ a b Firchau, Nick (November 19, 2013). "Get to know Orlando City SC, the newest club in Major League Soccer". www.mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  17. ^ "Match Recap: Playoffs – Orlando City v. Wilmington Hammerheads". www.orlandocitysc.com. Orlando, FL: OCSC. August 31, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  18. ^ Salazar, Jo-Ryan (March 24, 2013). "View from the Los Angeles Blues: March 24, 2013". theviewfromavalon.com. View From Avalon. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  19. ^ Davis IV, George (March 5, 2013). "LA Blues George Davis IV Interview" (Interview). Fullerton, California: Liquid Event TV. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  20. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (May 28, 2013). "Dan's the Man: Chivas USA 2, LA Blues 1". www.angelsonparade.com. Los Angeles, CA: Angles on Parade. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". United Soccer Leagues. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  22. ^ Gregory, Kim Morgan (2014-03-29). "Pitchside: Charleston Battery V Richmond". www.thevancouverherald.com. The Vancouver Herald. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  23. ^ a b "USL PRO – Top 10 Stats Leaders". uslpro.uslsoccer.com. USL PRO. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-10-07. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  24. ^ Maslin, Sean Maslin (2014-06-19). "2014 US Open Cup round 4: New England Revolution make early lead stand up in 3–2 win over Richmond Kickers (video)". thecup.us. US Open Cup. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  25. ^ a b "2014 USL PRO all-league teams". www.socceramerica.com. Soccer America. September 23, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  26. ^ Catenacci, Joe (2015-03-29). "Hammerheads hold on in 2–2 draw with Richmond". portcitydaily.com. Port City Daily. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  27. ^ Carr, Mitch (2015-04-25). "Kickers' Davis IV scores hat trick; Taylor clean sheets Independence 3–0". www.wric.com. Richmond, VA: WRIC 8 News. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  28. ^ Campos, Anthony (2015-09-16). "Match Recap: TFC II 1–2 Richmond Kickers". www.torontofc.ca. Toronto, ON: TFC II. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  29. ^ Morris, Luke (2015-09-26). "Lasso's Header Lifts Battery Past Richmond". www.charlestonbattery.com. Charlotte, NC: TFC II. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  30. ^ Wyant, Scott (2015-05-28). "2015 US Open Cup round 3: Richmond Kickers sink Jacksonville Armada, 3–0". thecup.us. US Open Cup. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  31. ^ Karell, Daniel (March 26, 2016). "Lou City free kick stuns host Charlotte in opener". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: Courier Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  32. ^ a b c "George Davis IV". www.louisvillecityfc.com. Louisville, KY: LCFC. 2018. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  33. ^ Carney, Mike (June 12, 2016). "2016 US Open Cup round 3: Indy Eleven rally to avenge last year's loss to Louisville City". thecup.us. US Open Cup. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  34. ^ "LouCity Falls to New York in Playoff Penalty Shootout". www.louisvillecityfc.com. Harrison, NJ: LCFC. October 16, 2016. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  35. ^ Karell, Daniel (November 30, 2016). "LouCity re-signs former UK star Davis". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: Courier Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  36. ^ Karell, Daniel (March 25, 2017). "Sharing the Spoils: Louisville City FC ties Saint Louis in home opener". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  37. ^ "Louisville City FC 2017 Player Stats". www.uslsoccer.com. USL. 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  38. ^ Allen, Ryan (October 18, 2017). "USL Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Preview". www.indomitablecitysoccer.com. Indomitable City Soccer. Retrieved April 28, 2018. With three goals in his last five matches, George Davis IV has helped solidify Louisville's spot atop the Eastern Conference, and the USL as a whole in terms of Elo rating
  39. ^ a b Murray, Nicholas (November 14, 2017). "Louisville's Late Winner Claims USL Cup Victory". www.uslsoccer.com. USL. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  40. ^ "Louisville City FC Announces Roster Changes". www.louisvillecityfc.com. Louisville, KY: LCFC. November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  41. ^ Bacharach, Erik (March 17, 2018). "Nashville SC opens inaugural USL season with loss at Louisville City FC". www.tennessean.com. Louisville, KY: Tennessean. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  42. ^ Sayers, Justin (August 10, 2018). "Louisville City's Davis among league's all-time best with 50 USL goals". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: The Courier Journal. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  43. ^ Lerner, Danielle (July 18, 2018). "Louisville City FC knocked out of Open Cup with loss to Chicago Fire". www.courier-journal.com. Bridgeview, IL: The Courier Journal. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  44. ^ "RECAP: Revs eliminated from U.S. Open Cup with 3-2 loss to Louisville City FC". www.revolutionsoccer.net. Louisville, KY: New England Revolution. June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  45. ^ a b Arlia, John (November 8, 2018). "Spencer's Strike Leads Louisville to Second Straight USL Cup". www.uslsoccer.com. Louisville, KY: USL. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  46. ^ "Championship Legend George Davis IV Announces Retirement". USLChampionship.com. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  47. ^ "George Davis IV". kpasoccer.org. KPA. 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  48. ^ Finley, Marty (June 29, 2018). "Louisville City FC head coach leaving for MLS job". www.bizjournals.com. Louisville, KY: Louisville Business First. Retrieved July 1, 2018. Louisville City FC players George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo and Luke Spencer have been named joint interim head coaches, and the club said O'Connor will coach Louisville City FC in its match against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
  49. ^ Estes, Gentry (July 7, 2018). "Louisville City FC nabs road victory in first game without O'Connor". www.courier-journal.com. Louisville, KY: The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  50. ^ "Louisville City FC Appoints John Hackworth as Head Coach". www.louisvillecityfc.com. Louisville, KY: LCFC. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  51. ^ "RECAP: City thrashes Red Bulls II in ten-goal affair". www.louisvillecityfc.com. Louisville, KY: LCFC. August 10, 2018. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  52. ^ "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". United Soccer Leagues. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
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