Inside Terry Boss’ first preseason at Lexington Sporting Club

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Head Coach Terry Boss has to accomplish one key task before Lexington Sporting Club kicks off its first season as a United Soccer League Championship club.

Creating a culture.

“To have people who are on the same page, galvanized by purpose, was something that needed to happen from the beginning,” said Boss. “We want to build an identity and playing style that Lexington will be proud of.”

Boss leading a preseason session.
Credit- Lexington SC

That quality, playing for something bigger than yourself, is what Boss says drove the recruitment of upwards of 20 new players.

“We want guys who are winners, who are intrinsically motivated, who work hard,” said Boss.

The Road So Far

So far, expectation has met reality for the new-look Lexington side in terms of attitude and results.

In two games, that have had publicly released final scores, the Greens have won by a combined score of 6-0 against FC Cincinnati 2 and Detroit City FC.

Lexington also played Major League Soccer sides Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. Scores for those matches were undisclosed.

Lexington Captain Speedy Williams (in grey) pre-match versus Inter Miami and Lionel Messi (in pink) in South Florida.
Credit- Lexington SC

“The players are a hungry group and they’re humble. They have worked beyond my expectations. Every day they step on the field to train they do it with the intent to get better,” said Boss.

A controlled possession-based, aggressive pressing and quick to attack side is what fans will hope to see if Boss’ vision comes to life.

The manager stresses that scoring goals is the last part of the process to come when molding a team from scratch.

Right now, the manager thinks that his side has played well from one 18-yard box to another and “not conceded many goals.”

No Case of the Mondays

A week in the life of Lexington Sporting Club under Boss starts with a day of reflection that feels like a page out of a former college coach’s book to mold young men.

“Mondays will be more cultural,” said Boss. “It’s about who you are as man and we believe that better people make better footballers.”

“Having that Monday where we open up about each other’s stories and showcase what we’ve been through is special because you create those relationships,” said midfielder Sofiane Djeffal, one of Boss’ players at Oregon State and Austin FC.

Sofiane Djeffal with Orange County SC. Credit- USLC.

The Frenchman has been looking forward to the first day of the work week since his college days when he first experienced the same team building formula under Boss.

Here’s what the other days of the week look like.

• Tuesdays include watching Saturday’s game film.
• Wednesday is when the scouting reports for the next match are revealed.
• Thursday to Friday will be when the players execute their plan for the upcoming match in practice.

Fitting In or Loaned Out

Boss’ ability to bring in almost an entirely new team was not just based on a slew of signings, but making decisions on which players to retain from last season.

“You get to build the roster based on how you know you’re going to play,” said Boss. “It’s a pretty unique scenario.”

Boss (far right) and his backroom staff.
Credit- Lexington SC

Winger Nico Brown and forward Ates Diouf were loaned out for the 2025 season to Forward Madison and Detroit City, respectively.

Brown, a fan favorite, had inked a new deal with Lexington in January before his loan was announced on February 4.

Diouf, who scored seven goals in the United Soccer League One last season, had his loan announced on February 19.

“(Both of them) are great players and in a lot of ways they do fit. When we’re talking about the younger player it’s also important that they’re developing,” said Boss on both Brown and Diouf. “Nico is a guy who I expect to be back here at some point, but I knew that he needed to get games.”

The holdovers from last season’s team include defender Kimball Jackson, midfielders Azaad Liadi and Yannick Yankam and forward Cameron Lancaster.

Unprecedented Success

Boss could be the first manager in club history to win a title of any kind. He’s the club’s third head coach in as many seasons since they began play.

Every tool in the shed from facilities to player investment is at the first time professional manager’s disposal to bring hardware to the Bluegrass.

In a new stadium, in a new league with a new team, the question is, will the third time be the charm?