Article by George Diamond

The Ocean City Nor’easters are excited and proud to announce that defender and club captain Josh Jones (Louisville/Hatfield,PA) has been named the USL-League Two Defender of the Year! 

This award comes on the back of a career, and franchise, best year from Jones. His 5 goals, including a hat-trick against Philadelphia, broke the club’s single season goal scoring record for a defender. 

In the 2024 season Jones made 9 appearances, all starts, for a total of 790 minutes. With Jones on the field, the Nor'easters had an overall goal difference of +22, with 26 goals for and just 4 allowed. 

Jones was a big part of the reason why the Nor'easters had the best start to a season in franchise history, winning their first 8 matches on the way to a third straight Mid-Atlantic Division title.

Additionally, Jones helped keep 4 clean sheets, and Ocean City never conceded more than a single goal with him on the field.

Earlier this season, Jones was named the USL-2 Player of the Month in June.

Outside of his time with OC, Jones has had a successful NCAA career as a Louisville Cardinal.

He has amassed 54 appearances with the Cards, contributing 8 goals and 4 assists. Jones was selected to the All-ACC Third-Team in 2023, as well as voted in as a team captain. 

His performances and potential were recognized by MLS club Real Salt Lake and in December of last year, Jones was drafted 47th overall in the 2nd round of the 2024 MLS Superdraft. Jones has opted to return to Louisville to play in his last year of eligibility while finishing his degree in Sports Administration. 

This marks only the second time in club history that a player has been recognized as the league’s Defender of the Year. In 2004, John Thompson (Lewis Univ./Penrith, England) was named the PDL Defender of the Year for the old South Jersey Barons.