Darren Powell named Lexington Sporting Club men’s head coach

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Darren Powell on Friday was named Lexington Sporting Club’s new head coach for the men’s USL League One team.

Powell comes to Lexington SC as a veteran soccer player, most recently serving as the director of player development and first team assistant coach at Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF.

He was also the head coach of Fort Lauderdale CF USL League One in 2021 as well as the Inter Miami CF II head coach in the MLS Next Pro in 2022.

Prior to his time with Inter Miami CF, Powell coached in multiple spots. He joined San Antonio FC from 2016-19 where he was head coach in the USL Championship from its inception, making the USL playoffs in 2017. He also spent time at Orlando City SC from 2014-16 serving as academy director.

He comes to Lexington after the completion of Lexington SC’s inaugural professional season with the USL League One.

“I am really grateful and thankful for the opportunity. I would like to thank Bill Shively, Stephen Dawahare and Sam Stockley for the process and the support they have given me. I am very grateful for the opportunity they have provided,” Powell said in a press release. “We are really excited to be in Lexington and looking forward to meeting with the players. We have been meeting with the staff and getting to know them, and everyone has been super welcoming. Soon, we can meet with the fans and engage with the supporters that seem very passionate about Lexington soccer and obviously want to grow that support during the coming months. Very grateful for the fans we have and the support we’ve been given and looking forward to meeting them.”

In October, Lexington SC announced new stadium plans coming to the city by the summer of 2024.