Part 5 in our team-by-team preview where we try to answer these questions: how could they succeed, and how could they stumble?
Greenville Triumph SC
Since the start of USL League One in 2019, Greenville Triumph has seen nothing but success. Playoffs every year with no finish below 3rd; crowned champions in 2020. Last season, at least from a high-level view, was no different. A 2nd place finish, a first-round playoff bye, and then… a semi-final flameout against eventual champions, Tormenta FC.
The off-season moves may have been modest (and very late) compared to some other clubs, but with a solid returning core, they didn’t need too much. It also helps to have living legend John Harkes as the coach, a gaffer who seems to be able to pull production out of everyone.
Significant returnees include forwards Jacob Labovitz (also the goals leader) and Lucas Coutinho; midfielders Venton Evans, Allen Gavilanes, and Aaron Walker; and defenders Noah Franke, Brandon Fricke, Evan Lee, Tyler Polak, Nate Shultz, and Jamie Smith. The club also brought on a couple of newcomers from around the USL, including midfielders Devin Boyce from Memphis 901 and Tevin Shaw from FC Tucson.
Significant departures in the off-season included forwards Nico Brown and Jake Keegan, midfielder Don Smart, defender Derek Waldeck, and goalkeeper Paul Christiansen.
Are we looking at another year where Greenville finds comfort in the top three of the table? Or is this the year the rest of the league finally cracks their dominance?
How Greenville Triumph SC could succeed in 2023
The Status Quo Reigns Supreme
As we mentioned, this club has a core and a coach who just work well together. The fundamentals remain solid, and the addition of Devin Boyce should cover for the loss of Don Smart.
In the back, the addition of Tevin Shaw only improves what was already one of the better defenses in the league with all-league defenders Evan Lee and Brandon Fricke returning.
Up front, Jacob Labovitz returns after his breakout first year where he found the back of the net 12 times.
Greenville Triumph’s roster doesn’t scream star power but manages to get deep production. Of the 40 goals scored in 2022, those responsible for 32 return in 2023. Harkes probably knows how to coax the remaining goals out of the players he has to work with.
How Greenville Triumph SC could stumble in 2023
None of the forwards work out and goal production drops
This is a club that got really lucky in 2022 that newcomer Jacob Labovitz worked out at striker. However, Labovitz went somewhat cold in the later part of the season and the club managed only one win in the last eight regular season matches. Can the club depend on him once again? It seems they are counting on it, with the off-season release of Jake Keegan and Nico Brown.
Labovitz not being able to replicate his 2023 performance would require increased production from Lucas Coutinho, Alex Cox-Ashwood, and perhaps newcomer Lyam MacKinnon. If this experiment falls flat, so does Greenville.
But then again, USL League One is where surprises happen every year.
So what if Labovitz doesn’t replicate the production of 2022? Alex Cox-Ashwood and Lyam MacKinnon are waiting in the wings, the latter perhaps with a chip on his shoulder after not making the roster in the Nashville SC system. Young forwards with something to prove and a chance to do it can make for a surprising and dangerous backup plan in this league.