One of two expansion sides entering the league in 2023, Lexington finished the season a respectable ninth in the table and showed several brief glimmers of hope that they might even compete for the playoffs. While it was disappointing to not qualify for the playoffs, the ninth-place finish was well above where most predicted. So what happened this season, and what can we expect for 2024?
What Went Right
The Resurgence of Atês Diouf
Diouf joined the expansion side as its second signing after a disappointing season with USL Championship side San Antonio FC. However, 12 weeks into the season, he’d yet to notch a goal, despite leading the squad in shots. It was only a matter of time though, and indeed in week 12, he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw against Hailstorm FC. He’d go on to score 15, good enough for third in the Golden Boot race.
The Redemption of Nico Brown
Brown joined the squad after Greenville Triumph declined his option in the off-season. He’d spent 2022 mostly playing off the bench, and only scored two goals. Eager to prove his worth, he joined the expansion side and became the secondary scoring threat to Diouf. By season’s end, he had notched eight goals and an assist.
Tate Robertson’s Successful Jump From NISA
Robertson spent the last two season with Chattanooga FC before becoming Lexington’s fifth signing. Described by then coach Sam Stockley as an “attack minded fullback,” Robertson would feature in all 32 matches, and prove his durability with starts at right midfield, left back, left midfield and right back. He also led the squad in assists with eight, and chances created with 55, while providing four goals of his own.
What Went Wrong
It’s hard to say anything went “wrong” with an expansion side that finishes ninth out of 12 clubs in the table. Certainly, the defense had its moments of breakdown, but again, something we’d expect of an expansion side built from scratch. The squad conceded 57 goals, third worst in the league.
The club also struggled to get into the win column, only gaining seven on the season, with the last win coming against Richmond on August 27th.
Depth was bit of an issue for the squad. Robertson and Khalid Balogun provided four goals each, and Veteran Don Smart contributed six goals, all from penalty kicks. Expected depth goals did not materialize from Will Baynham (1 goal in 12 appearances), and four others provided one goal a piece. This left the club tied for 7th in the league on goals scored, and a -11 goal differential.
Roster Questions for 2024
Currently, none of the 2023 squad is known to be under contract for 2024. Kaelon Fox (CB) and Amal Knight (GK) have publicly indicated they are returning, but roster news is not expected until after contracts expire on November 30th.
Goal
Amal Knight took on the bulk of appearances with 24. He gained a respectable 4 clean sheets, and appears to be the leading contender for number one in 2024 should he return as indicated.
Austin Causey joined from Richmond after serving as one of Akira Fitzgerald’s backups. He served as a number two in Lexington, making eight appearances with one clean sheet.
The club may do well to keep both, building on a defensive corps to support them.
Prediction: Knight returns. Causey signs elsewhere.
Defenders
How will Lexington build a more cohesive defensive squad in 2024? Assuming Kaelon Fox returns, the 28 year old center back may be the centerpiece again.
Towards the end of the season, coach Nacho Novo played around with Erick Ceja Gonzalez and Franky Martinez at center back, while shifting Fox to right back. However, with Novo departed in favor of Darren Powell, all is up in the air at the moment. At 22 years old, Ceja Gonzalez may have earned himself a promotion and more demand elsewhere around the league.
Terique Mohammed battled injury at times during the season, but when healthy, shored up left back or left midfield. He provided three assists, and a strong physical presence on the left side. Unless the club is willing to shell out for an upgrade, they’d be well suited to keep Mohammed around for another year.
Owen Green joined the squad after winning the league championship with Tormenta in 2022. He was in the starting eleven 28 times, with all but three at right back. With a full season as a number one right back, has his value increased enough to land him a better deal elsewhere? Or can Lexington convince him to return for the sake of continuity? Again, the new coach situation makes things a bit up in the air.
Other defensive options included Cesar Murillo and Diallo Irakoze. The latter only made five appearances, missing a massive chunk of the season between April 30 and September 24. He was limited to a sub in all of his appearances.
Meanwhile, Murillo alternated into the center back role along with Ceja Gonzalez and Martinez, making 18 starts in the position. The 27 year old has been in USL League One since its inception, and may have increased his value as a depth defender. It’s hard to see the club hanging on to both Ceja Gonzalez and Murillo.
Predictions: Fox, Ceja Martinez and Green return. Irakoze, Martinez, Mohammed and Murillo hit free agency. The club makes a big free agency signing at left back.
Midfielders
Club captain Charlie Machell appeared in all 32 matches, making 26 starts, and providing three assists on 18 chances created. He mostly anchored a 3-5-2 or split the middle in a 4-4-2 setup. It was his second season in the league, having previously appeared for FC Tucson, and at 29, he may have found his place after a prior career around the globe. His value appears to have increased, but maintaining a leadership role through season two should be in the club’s best interests.
Tate Robertson was the breakout star in the midfield, with his four goals and squad-leading eight assists and 55 chances created. While he may not have quite earned a promotion to USL Championship, a proven playmaking midfielder will always be in demand around the league and in MLS Next Pro. At 26, he’s reaching his career peak over the next few years. Will he sign on for another year in Lexington, or make a jump?
Pierre Mané worked his way from depth option to starter by August, largely replacing Phila Dlamini, increasing his value along the way. At 25, he could likely remain at Lexington and start, or find himself in demand around the league as a relatively inexpensive midfield option.
Long time veteran Don Smart turns 36 in December. While he provided a strong veteran presence in the locker room and at times on the pitch, as well as six penalty goals, it may be the end of the line for his career.
Dlamini seems to have fallen out of favor after mid-August, but with a new coach, could see another shot as a value re-signing.
Soso Kim joined from (then) NISA side Chicago House AC, mostly playing a bench depth role. His lone goal of the season was one for the highlight reels, but were his contributions enough to earn a second season? On one hand, he would certainly be an affordable and dependable depth option. But a club needing depth upgrades may look elsewhere.
Predictions: Machell and Kim return. Robertson returns if the club makes it worth his while. Dlamini and Mané head to free agency. Smart retires.
Wingers and Forwards
Atês Diouf may have found his place in USL League One for now, as he may need one more season of proven skills before a return to the USL Championship. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stay on the same team with such a strong league-wide demand for goal scoring strikers. At just 23, and certainly with an increase in value, he may be the hottest player on the market. His departure from Lexington would be devastating, and it would be in their best interests to pay the man.
Nico Brown also came into his own this season, providing a solid secondary scoring threat on the left (and sometimes right) side. At 25, he has also seen his value increase in the off season. Can Lexington retain both and make them a centerpiece of their scoring threats? If they can only keep one, they’re going to have to hit the market hard to find a suitable replacement.
Khalid Balogun provided the strongest depth option at forward, and if Diouf departs, may be ready to step into a starting role. Despite coming in as a substitute in 21 of his 31 appearances, he still managed to provide four goals and two assists. On the other hand, if Diouf and Brown remain, Balogun may like to try out his increased value elsewhere around the league where he might start more.
Jalen James had a stretch of starts at left wing/midfield from late May through early July, but struggled for minutes after returning from injury. Still, it was just the 23 year old’s first professional season, and another shot could be in order.
Drew Paterson was another first-year professional, but was absent from the roster for large stretches of the season, making just seven appearances.
Will Baynahm made a series of starts at striker mid season, but after only contributing a goal, landed on the bench before missing all but one match the rest of the season. For most of this time, he was not in the roster. We would not expect his return.
Joshua Head signed his first professional contract in August and made three appearances, starting in the final match of the season. Perhaps we’ll see his return for a full season?
Predictions: second year stability requires significant investments, and Lexington steps up to the challenge, retaining Diouf, Brown and Balogun for another year, along with James and Head. Paterson and Baynham head to free agency.
Free Agency Needs
If the predictions are accurate, Lexington may start with one of the stronger cores in the league. A second year brings stability, while the third coach in the club’s short existence bring a small bit of uncertainty. Starting with a good core could attract the depth talent they’d need to make that playoff run a reality.
Defensive Depth
A strong, consistent, two-way performer at left back might be just what Nico Brown and Jalen James need on the left side to increase chances and goals. Whether this is Mohammed stepping up to an improved season, or a free agent is yet to be determined. Either way, the clear aim is fewer goals conceded, less pressure on the goalkeepers and more offensive chances.
Offensive Depth
We saw in 2023 that the most successful clubs in the league had a lot of offensive depth. Whether this was NCFC, Charlotte, Omaha or Northern Colorado, all had higher production from the midfield, defensive corps and the bench than those clubs that found themselves outside of the bubble. The addition of another bench scorer to come on alongside Balogun would help send Lexington into that level.
Lexington seems poised to make the proper investments into maintaining a solid core, while bringing on fresh talent. We will find out over the next few days which of that core will be the basis upon which to build, but the options are good.
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