Welcome to another edition of the League One Updater power rankings!
NCFC solidifies their top spot with the addition of Louis Perez, while Tormenta, Knoxville and Omaha move up on the strength of three of their signings last week. Rosters are all but complete for several clubs, so we expect the others to get a move on this week in completing theirs.
Note: all additions and departures are since the last ranking.
1) North Carolina FC
Last week: 1
Key additions: Louis Perez
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: Lineup complete
Goalkeepers: Nick Holliday, Tor Saunders
Defenders: DJ Benton, Gustavo Fernandes, Britton Fisher, Max Flick, Nelson Flores, Daniel Navarro, Christian Lue Young
Midfielders: Luis Arriaga, Mikey Maldonado, Pecka, Louis Perez, Raheem Somersall, Jaden Servania
Forwards: Shak Adams, Oalex Anderson, Cole Frame, Marvin Mariche, Garrett McLaughlin, Rafa Mentzingen, Preston Popp
Typical setups: 4-3-2-1, 4-4-2
Next match: vs. Tormenta FC, 3/17
NCFC won the Louis Perez lottery this week, and further strengthened their already ridiculous offense. The midfielder had 5 goals and 7 assists for FC Tucson in 2022, and should fit in nicely with this stacked lineup. The biggest issue facing NCFC in the midfield and front is now figuring out who gets minutes. On paper, they have some crazy depth. Here’s what a 4-2-3-1 setup might look like:
Read more: Making Sense of North Carolina FC’s Lineup Depth
2) Tormenta FC
Last week: 4
Key additions: TJ Bush (re-signed), Pedro Fonesca, Preston Kilwien
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: bench squad
Goalkeepers: TJ Bush, Pablo Jara
Defenders: Jake Dengler, Preston Kilwien, Colin Mocyunas, Deshawon Nembhard
Midfielders: Elijah Amo, Matheus Cassini, Pedro Fonseca, Chris Heckenberg, Tobias Otieno
Forwards: Kingsford Adjei, Arthur Bosua, Kazaiah Sterling
Next match: at North Carolina FC, 3/17
Tormenta FC re-signed goalkeeper TJ Bush for another year. Bush and Pablo Jara formed a dominant goalkeeping tandem in 2022, combining for 10 clean sheets. Bush took over the starting role in August through the playoffs, putting up an impressive 8-3-3 record with 5 clean sheets during that time.
Tormenta also picked up defender Preston Kilwien from Charleston Battery. He was a mainstay on the USL Championship side’s defensive line with 24 starts for 2,103 minutes.
Then they landed midfielder Pedro Fonseca who was an MLS draft pick and captained Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro last year with 7 goals and 3 assists.
At this point, Tormenta FC needs a bench squad. We also don’t yet know the recovery status of Arthur Bosua, who suffered a season ending ACL injury early last summer.
“We’re always going to be in a bit of a rebuild at Tormenta” said coach Ian Cameron to Protagonist Soccer this week. So far so good:
Read more: Sitting Down with Ian Cameron (Protagonist Soccer)
3) Greenville Triumph
Last week: 3
Key additions: Devin Boyce, Noah Pilato (re-signed)
Key departures: Don Smart, Derek Waldeck
Ongoing needs: second goalkeeper, bench support
Goalkeepers: Jared Mazzola
Defenders: Noah Franke, Brandon Fricke, Evan Lee, Tyler Polak, Nate Shultz, Jamie Smith
Midfielders: Devin Boyce, Lucas Coutinho, Venton Evans, Noah Pilato, Tevin Shaw, Aaron Walker
Forwards: Jacob Labovitz, Alex Cox-Ashwood
Next match: vs. Richmond Kickers, 3/25
Greenville re-signed midfielder Noah Pilato, a mainstay of the club since 2020. Unfortunately he suffered numerous injuries over the last two seasons, but started all 16 matches in the shortened 2020 season in which the club finished top of the table. If he remains healthy, he should be a solid contributor to an already good midfield.
They also added midfielder Devin Boyce from Memphis 901, and previously of Union Omaha’s 2021 title winning club. That year he logged 5 goals and 9 assists, but he struggled for playtime with Memphis in the USL Championship.
Here’s a preview of what a 4-4-1-1 setup might look like this year:
Meanwhile two free agents moved on: midfielder Don Smart to Lexington SC and Derek Waldeck to One Knox SC.
4) Richmond Kickers
Last week: 2
Key additions: David Olsen (re-signed), Will Palmquist (re-signed)
Key departures: Stuart Ritchie
Ongoing needs: supporting defenders, playmaking midfielder, supporting midfielders and forwards
Goalkeepers: Akira Fitzgerald, Will Palmquist
Defenders: Nathan Aune, Dakota Barnathan, Simon Fitch, Michael Hornsby
Midfielders: João Gomiero, Zaca Moran, Chandler O’Dwyer, Nil Vinyals
Forwards: Matt Bentley, Owayne Gordon, David Olsen, Luke Pavone, Emiliano Terzaghi
Next match: at Charlotte Independence, 3/18
Richmond re-signed forward David Olsen, a backup forward with a pretty cool comeback story, and backup goalkeeper Will Palmquist.
Meanwhile, defender Stuart Ritchie departed to sign with Columbus Crew 2. Coach Darren Sawatzky told River City 93 this week that three players from the 2022 squad had MLS calls, so we have to wonder, is Jonathan Bolanos next?
Richmond’s midfield, while strengthened by the return of Moran and Vinyals, still has some uncertainties with new pro João Gomiero and 2022 bench player Chandler O’Dwyer rounding it out.
Read More: 5 questions with Darren Sawatzky (River City 93)
5) One Knoxville SC
Last week: 6
Key additions: Sebastian Andreassen, Gabriel Claudio, Dani Fernandez, Callum Johnson, Sean Lewis, Derek Waldeck
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: lineup complete
Goalkeepers: Sean Lewis, Peter Swinkels
Defenders: Gabriel Claudio, Jalen Crisler, Dani Fernandez, Jan-Erik Leinhos, Kyle McDowell, Sean O’Hearn, Jordan Skelton, James Thomas, Derek Waldeck
Midfielders: Sam Fletcher, Callum Johnson, Angelo Kelly-Rosales, Frank Ross, Yesin van der Pluijm
Forwards: Sebastian Andreassen, Ilija Ilic, Jake Keegan, Ahinga Selemani, Jimmie Villalobos, Matthew Vowinkel
Next match: vs. Lexington SC, 3/18
One Knox completed their first team roster this week.
They may have landed their starting goalie for the upcoming season, USL Championship veteran Sean Lewis. The American keeper has 80 appearances since 2017 for Penn FC, FC Tulsa and Indy Eleven. He’ll compete with Peter Swinkels, signed from One Knox’s 2022 USL2 squad.
The club also signed left back Derek Waldeck from Greenville Triumph, likely answering the lingering question on who will start there. Previously, we named rookie Kyle McDowell as the likely starter, but Waldeck’s experience and skills make him the likely go-to on the left side. Waldeck joined Greenville in August of last season and made the final ten starts of the season at left back.
One Knox also signed defender Gabriel Claudio from Union Omaha, midfielder Callum Johnson from LA Galaxy 2 and defenders Dani Fernandez and (2022 captain) James Thomas and forward Seba Andreassen from the 2022 USL2 squad.
Here’s how we’d see One Knox lining up using an example 4-2-3-1 setup:
Listen: THEY’RE BACK! Fan Favorites Dani Fernandez & Seba Andreassen Return to One Knox SC (Knox Soccer Podcast)
6) Forward Madison
Last week: 5
Key additions: none
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: goalkeeping, midfielders, and backups all around
Goalkeepers: none
Defenders: Sam Brotherton, Jacob Crull, Timmy Mehl, Mitch Osmond, Stephen Payne
Midfielders: Aiden Mesias, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Jayden Onen
Forwards: Nazeem Bartman, Christian Chaney, Mauro Cichero, Dererk Gebhard
Next match: at Union Omaha, 3/26
Forward Madison did not announce any roster decisions this week. The club is still without a goalie, but otherwise has build a fairly solid core that may finally place them into contention.
7) Union Omaha
Last week: 8
Key additions: Conor Doyle (re-signed), Luca Mastrantonio, Marco Milanese
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: backup goalkeeper, defenders, forwards, supporting defenders and forwards.
Goalkeepers: Rashid Nuhu
Defenders: Shaft Brewer, Jr., Luca Mastrantonio, Marco Milanese
Midfielders: Dion Acoff, Joe Brito, Conor Doyle, Yoskar Galván-Mercado, Luis Gil, Eddie Gordon, JP Scearce, Chavany Willis
Forwards: Noe Meza
Next match: vs. Forward Madison, 3/26
Union Omaha poached one of FC Tucson’s top free agents, defender Luca Mastrantonio. They also added first time pro, Italian defender Marco Milanese, who has some impressive youth stints in Italy. They still need some more in the backfield, but along with Brewer, this is an excellent foundation.
The club also announced the re-signing of veteran Conor Doyle. He was another mainstay of the club’s midfield and stingy defense in 2022. Now if the club can figure out scoring goals, they might remain in contention.
Read more: Union Omaha Signs Two New Defenders (Who Gives a Hoot)
8) Charlotte Independence
Last week: 7
Key additions: Austin Pack (re-signed)
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: goalkeeping, defenders, midfielders, forwards, supporting cast
Goalkeepers: Austin Pack
Defenders: Hector Acosta, Shalom Dutey
Midfielders: Luis Álvarez, Omar Ciss, Clay Dimick, Miguel Ibarra
Forwards: Khori Bennett, Tresor Mbuyu, Gabriel Obertan
Next match: vs. Richmond Kickers, 3/18
Charlotte brought back club veteran Austin Pack, one of a revolving cast of keepers from 2022. Pack made no appearances with the club last year but made 5 starts for Hartford Athletic of USL Championship while loaned there for the first half of the season. He made 19 appearances in Charlotte’s final USL Championship season in 2021, where he put up an impressive 12-4-2 record with 7 clean sheets. The club still needs to build around this (really good) core, and time is winding down.
9) Lexington SC
Last week: 9
Key additions: Austin Causey, Erick Ceja Gonzalez, Jalen James, Soso Kim, Terique Mohammed, Drew Patterson, Don Smart
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: lineup all but complete
Goalkeepers: Austin Causey, Amal Knight
Defenders: Erick Ceja Gonzalez, Owen Green, Kimball Jackson, Franky Martinez, Terique Mohammed
Midfielders: Phila Dlamini, Kaelon Fox, Diallo Irakoze, Seo-in Kim, Charlie Machell, Pierre Mané, Tate Robertson, Don Smart
Forwards: Khalid Balogun, Will Baynham, Nico Brown, Ates Diouf, Jalen James, Drew Patterson
Lexington’s biggest signing this week was long time veteran midfielder Don Smart. Even into his 30’s, Smart had been keeping pace on two very good Greenville squads, putting in 52 appearances over two seasons with three goals and four assists during that time. If anything, he brings more veteran leadership to an increasingly young squad.
The club also signed midfielder Seo-in “Soso” Kim from Chicago House AC of NISA and defender Terique Mohammed from FC Edmonton of the Canadian Premier League. Then they added more first time pros, forwards Jalen James and Drew Patterson and defender Erick Ceja Gonzalez.
Finally, Lexington poached goalkeeper Austin Causey out of free agency. Richmond released the 21 year old after he served in a backup role to Akira Fitzgerald. He’ll compete with Amal Knight in Lexington.
We’re hesitant to move Lexington SC up in the rankings now until we see this roster in action together, but this may just work out over the next few years.
Read more: Lexington SC Player Profiles at Crane Kicks Lex
10) Red Wolves SC
Last week: 10
Key additions: Mayele Malango, Ropapa Mensah, Yahir Paez, Walter Varela
Key departures: Juan Galindrez, Andrés Hernández
Ongoing needs: center back, supporting forwards, supporting defenders
Goalkeepers: Carlos Avilez, Ricardo Jerez, JD Meyers
Defenders: Nico Cardona, Aaron Lombardi
Midfielders: Josue Cartagena, Christian Enriquez, Moe Espinoza, Pedro Hernandez, Ryley Kraft, Felipe Liborio Jr., Yahir Paez, Ualefi, Walter Varela
Forwards: Mayele Malango, Chevone Marsh, Ropapa Mensah, Alex Tejera
Next match: vs. Hailstorm FC, 3/15
Red Wolves added Walter Varela and Mayele Malango from NISA side Albion San Diego, where they played under new Red Wolves coach Ziggy Korytoski. Varela had 19 appearances for the club with 3 goals and 4 assists in over 1,600 minutes of play. Malango had 23 appearances with 5 goals and 2 assists. They also added a local product, midfielder Yahir Paez.
Finally on Friday they added forward Ropapa Mensah, a veteran of USL Championship. Mensah spent 2023 in Egypt with second division side Port Fauad FC, where he apparently dealt with injuries. He’ll be a comeback story if he manages to find the success in Chattanooga he had in USLC, with 25 goals and 15 assists in 107 appearances.
Given the lineup so far, here’s a preview of what could be a 3-5-2 setup for the club:
As expected, the club’s all time leading goal scorer Juan Galindrez moved on in free agency, signing with USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC. Defensive midfielder Andrés Hernández also announced his departure in free agency.
The club is slowly but surely rebuilding what may end up a solid long term core, but those along with other losses are some huge shoes to fill. We remain in a wait and see stance on this roster going in to 2023.
11) Hailstorm FC
Last week: 11
Key additions: Edward Delgado, Billy King, Valentin Sabella
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: defenders, midfielders, forwards, supporting cast
Goalkeepers: Edward Delgado, Johan Peñaranda
Defenders: Rob Cornwall, Brecc Evans
Midfielders: McCain Clarke, Jackson Dietrich, Stefan Lukic, Destan Norman
Forwards: Trevor Amann, Mark Hernandez, Billy King, Irvin Parra, Valentin Sabella
Next match: at Red Wolves SC, 3/25
Hailstorm added a pair of forwards in Valentin Sabella (Tacoma Defiance) and Billy King of St Patrick’s Athletic, but with history at Rangers, Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United. He had somewhat of a comeback in Ireland’s Premier Division, which Hailstorm could certainly use in 2023.
The club also added goalkeeper Edward Delgado who has spent the last three years in a backup role in USL Championship. He had one appearance for Phoenix Rising FC in 2022, and let’s just say he’d probably rather forget all about it. Delgado will likely start in a backup role to Johan Peñaranda, who started 13 of the club’s last 15 matches, with four clean sheets during that time.
We’ll wait and see what other moves the club makes, but they seem to be back on the right track.
12) Fuego FC
Last week: 12
Key additions: none
Key departures: none
Ongoing needs: backup goalkeeper, more defenders, supporting midfielders, goal scoring forwards
Goalkeepers: Mitch North
Defenders: Jordan Chavez, François Dulysse
Midfielders: Diego Casillas, José Carrera-García, Alexis Cerritos, David Diaz, Cherif Dieye
Forwards: Villyan Bijev
Fuego FC made no announcements last week.