James Kevin Matthew O'Connor (born 1 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer who is the President of Soccer Holdings, which is the holding company of USL Louisville City Football Club and NWSL Louisville Racing. He oversees all of the Soccer Holdings operations including all business aspects and soccer operations. O'Connor began his career with Stoke City and after progressing their youth team he helped them to victory in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final and 2002 Football League Second Division play-off Final. After making over 200 appearances for the Potters, he left to join Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2003. He spent one season at The Hawthorns before moving on to Burnley. O'Connor became a regular at Turf Moor making 149 appearances in four seasons at the club. In June 2008 he joined Sheffield Wednesday where he had spent four years making over 150 appearances. In January 2012 he moved to the United States to play for Orlando City. At international level, he played for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s. He retired from playing in the summer of 2014 to become head coach of Louisville City. Club career O'Connor was born in Dublin and joined English club Stoke City in 1996 after being spotted by the club's Irish base scouts. He made his debut in the 1998–99 season before becoming a regular in the team in 1999–2000. He scored eight goals in 55 appearances as Stoke reached the play-offs where they lost to Gillingham although he did play in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final where Stoke beat Bristol City 2–1 and his performances during the season earn him the player of the year award. He played 54 times in 2000–01 for Stoke scoring ten goals as they again failed in the play-offs losing to Walsall. He played in 50 matches in 2001–02 as Stoke finally won promotion via the play-offs, beating Brentford 2–0 in the 2002 Football League Second Division play-off Final. He played 47 times in 2002–03 helping Stoke avoid relegation before he turned down the offer of a new contract. He moved to West Bromwich Albion in summer 2003 for a fee of £250,000 and made his debut in the 4–1 defeat to Walsall. He spent a successful three-month loan spell with Burnley in 2004–05. That season he made only two substitute appearances for West Bromwich Albion and moved to Burnley