KYLE SMITH

Kyle Smith was born in Cincinnati and played four years of college soccer at Transylvania University between 2010 and 2013, scoring a total of 47 goals during his four years. As a senior Smith scored 18 goals with 8 assists earning Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive MVP during his final seasons. He left Transylvania as the team’s all-time leading in goals, assists, and points. After graduation Smith played two seasons with Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC in both 2014 and 2015. In 2015 he was second in the USL PDL with eleven goals scored over 14 matches. He left the Dutch Lions as their all-time leader in goals, assists, and points with twelve, eight and thirty-two respectively, as well having set their season records in those categories in 2015.

After a successful trial Smith signed his first professional contract with Louisville City on March 14 and he made his professional debut on March 26 against Charlotte. During the season he was named USL mid-season Rookie of the Year. In 2017 Smith remained with Louisville and made his season debut March 25 against Saint Louis FC. He appeared in 27 of Louisville’s 32 league matches and scoring four goals. He also appeared in one of Louisville’s two US Open Cup matches as all four of Louisville’s USL Cup Playoff matches. Although he didn’t score in regulation time during any of the USL Cup matches, he converted the first shot of the penalty shoot-out in the Eastern Conference final against New York Red Bulls II. Smith and Louisville won the USL Cup Final against Swope Park Rangers, with Smith being named Midseason USL Defender of the Year.

On December 19, 2018, Kyle moved to MLS side Orlando City, reuniting him with head coach James O’Connor who had left Louisville earlier in the year. On March 29, 2021, Smith signed a new two-year deal with Orlando City, keeping him with the club through the end of the 2022 with an option for 2023. On December 5, 2022, Orlando City announced that they had re-signed Smith to a one-year deal for the 2023 season with an option for 2024. Smith played 122 games in MLS.