Vermont Green FC legend Owen O'Malley has returned to professional soccer and has signed a contract with the Richmond Kickers of USL League One.
O'Malley put himself back on the map with a 99th minute goal against the Western Mass Pioneers to clinch Vermont's first ever USL League Two Northeast Division Championship. The USL League Two champion tallied three goals and an assist for the Green.
“Owen scored goals as a youth player in North Carolina, created and scored goals at Creighton University, was rewarded with a 2023 Generation Adidas deal from MLS, and was drafted ninth by St. Louis in the 2023 MLS Draft,” Richmond Kickers chief sporting officer and head coach Darren Sawatzky said in a statement. “As with many players, he has worked hard, playing for the Tacoma Defiance in MLS Next Pro and this past year with the Vermont Green in USL League 2, to fight his way into an opportunity here. Owen is hungry, can take players on, combine to get to goal, and his ability in defensive transition fits with a group that wants to make noise in 2026. We are delighted to add another two-way player with perspective.”
After a college career that saw O'Malley tally 52 appearances, nine goals and seven assists, the Creighton Bluejay became the first Vermont Green FC player drafted into MLS; selected ninth overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by St. Louis City SC.
Once he got to MLS, O'Malley struggled to find his footing. In 2024, the SuperDraft selection headed out to Washington to play for the Tacoma Defiance but wasn't able to find his form.
But the 24-year-old found his game back in Vermont and will look to continue doing so with the Kickers.
