Welcome to another edition of the League One Updater power rankings, and our first in the regular season! We’ve now seen all clubs play a league match with the exception of Fuego FC, who postponed their opener with NCFC due to weather. Here are our thoughts on what is working so far for each club, and if applicable, what isn’t working.
Note: all additions and departures are since the last ranking.
1) Charlotte Independence
Last ranking: 9
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs Richmond Kickers, 0-0; WIN at Tormenta FC, 3-1
Next Match: at Richmond Kickers, 4/1
The Jacks opened the season effectively shutting down a potent Richmond offense, only to be stymied themselves by Richmond goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald. They walked away with a 0-0 draw and then blew into Statesboro where they took down the defending champs 3-1.
What’s working so far: offensive depth and extended contributions.
In week one, coach Mike Jeffries opted to start a front six comprised of returnees from 2022, leaving prize signee Dane Kelly on the bench. In week two, he went with the veterans Gabriel Obertan and Kelly up front to start, bringing Khori Bennett in for Kelly midway through the second half. Bennett (who co-led the club for goals in 2022) added an insurance goal just 14 minutes later, aided by newcomer right-back Joel Johnson. This was after goals by midfielder Brad Dunwell and center-back Shalom Dutey.
It was inevitable that a club full of goal-scorers that rained 17 shots on Richmond, including five on target, would find the back of the net eventually. Richmond Kickers, you know what to expect. Prepare yourselves accordingly.
2) Union Omaha
Last ranking: 3
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs. Forward Madison 1-1
Next Match: at One Knoxville SC, 4/1
The Owls walked away from a hard-fought, exciting matchup with rivals Forward Madison with a 1-1 draw. The matchup seemed to showcase everything we wanted to know about the improved club. Rashid Nuhu is still one of the best keepers in the league. JP Scearce will score those clutch goals. Newcomer Joe Gallardo is probably as good as advertised, and Noe Meza may be better. Alex Steinwascher surprised in his debut start. And Steevan Dos Santos, while limited to a largely defensive final 34 minutes, even showed some signs that he may still have it.
What’s working so far: the team has chemistry
Returning members of the 2022 core and newcomers alike put up good numbers. Conor Doyle continues to shine in his more defensive role, and Junior Palacios brought some bite to the backline that seemed to get under the skin of Forward Madison striker Christian Chaney. Alexis Souahy, Gallardo, and Steinwascher demonstrated their respective fits into this squad. And of course, the goal from a Luis Gil corner to the head of Scearce.
It’s a long season, and a 1-1 draw against an equally exciting Forward Madison side on a cold day in March is just fine.
3) Forward Madison
Last week: 6
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Union Omaha 1-1
Next match: at Lexington SC, 4/8
Forward Madison took their largely brand new squad into Omaha and let the league know that the hype may be real this year. In particular, the hype around new striker Christian Chaney, who dazzled in his debut, scoring the equalizer and nearly scoring two more if not for the brilliance of Rashid Nuhu. Also applying pressure were Nazeem Bartman and captain Mitch Osmond, justifying the organization’s decision to bring them back when so many others from 2022 departed.
What’s working so far: the emergence of an ability to run with the best of them
This is a fanbase that is desperate for something to go right, and the opening match should give them hope. Chaney now looks like an absolute genius pickup, convincing him to leave his California hometown club for the upper midwest. He brought energy, physicality, and a lethal striking threat to a club that desperately needed it. Other newcomers also had their moments to shine, including goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann and defender Stephen Payne.
The club has a week to handle US Open Cup hosting duties at home before heading off to Lexington in week 5. Lexington, you have time to prepare, but this may get ugly.
4) Richmond Kickers
Last week: 8
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Charlotte Independence 0-0; WIN at Greenville Triumph 1-0
Next match: vs Charlotte Independence, 4/1
Two road matches to start the season, four points. Almost any club would be happy with that result. After a 0-0 draw in which the Kickers had one shot on target, they went to Greenville and only found two shots on target. One of those shots was enough, as newcomer Kharlon Belmar put away a Nil Vinyals corner from about 18 yards out. From there, they were able to grind it out for a 1-0 win.
What’s working so far: grinding and goalkeeping.
Richmond has been able to grind out these four road points with defense and stellar goalkeeping. While both Charlotte and Greenville were able to shut down outlets to reigning golden boot winner Emiliano Terzaghi, Vinyals and Belmar have stepped up as alternatives. The club may need to adjust tactics to re-ignite Terzaghi, and backup keeper Will Palmquist will need to step up while Fitzgerald is out on leave. Things don’t get easier with a red-hot Charlotte Independence squad coming into town this weekend, but never count this squad out.
5) One Knoxville SC
Last week: 5
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs Lexington SC, 2-1
Next match: vs. Union Omaha, 4/1
One Knox SC put to rest the rivalry talk for now between fellow expansion side Lexington SC with a 2-1 home victory to open the season. It was a chippy match, with seven yellow cards (and a red for Lexington), but in the end, Jimmie Villalobos’ penalty kick and Jake Keegan’s tap-in were enough to escape with the club’s first victory.
What’s working so far: veterans and newcomers making for a solid defense.
We knew this was a solid defense going into the season, but the backline crew of league veterans Jalen Crisler and Jordan Skelton along with new pros James Thomas and Sean O’Hearn showed promise that they could meet the hype. Their real test will come this weekend when they host a refreshed Union Omaha squad.
6) Hailstorm FC
Last week: 7
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Next match: at Tormenta FC, 4/1
Hailstorm FC let their offensive attack loose against an uncertain Red Wolves side, but ran into the one area of certainty that the rebuilt squad from Chattanooga does have: goalkeeper Carlos Avilez. The brick wall of a keeper saved shots from Brecc Evans (3), Irvin Parra (2) and one each from Jackson Dietrich, Stefan Lukic, and Trevor Amann. Nonetheless, they walked away with a point on the road.
What’s working so far: shots and more shots.
This club has the ability to get the ball into the box, and plenty of dangerous shooters. With Brandon Rosas waiting in the wings for his paperwork to clear, it’s probably just going to get more dangerous. They will bring this attack to a depleted Tormenta FC side this weekend, and their shots may be due to land.
7) North Carolina FC
Last week: 1
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Tormenta FC 0-1, PPD at Fuego
Next match: vs. Lexington SC, 4/1
The much-hyped, much-improved NCFC fell back to earth a bit after a 1-0 home loss to defending champions Tormenta FC. However, that is not to say they played a bad match at all. The goal was controversial, and for much of the match, NCFC controlled the pace.
What’s working so far: contributions from the newcomers
Despite the loss, we saw a preview of what we can expect from this new and improved squad moving forward. Defender Daniel Navarro took over the captaincy and put on a solid performance. Rafa Mentzingen positioned himself as the offensive leader. The team controlled possession and took shots. The defense limited Tormenta FC to just 3 shots, and the one that got through may have been a missed offsides. And they did all of this despite missing new midfielder Louis Perez who was unable to join the team until last week.
8) Tormenta FC
Last week: 2
Matches since last ranking: WIN at North Carolina FC 1-0; LOSS vs. Charlotte Independence 1-3
Next match: vs. Hailstorm FC, 4/1
Tormenta FC failed to take their week one momentum back home into week 2. After a narrow 1-0 victory at North Carolina FC, the defending champs came home and put on a performance that went from bad to worse. After conceding an early goal, Defender Jake Dengler exited with an injury. While Mukwelle Akale equalized as the half came to a close, the second half was a disaster. Defender Preston Kilwien exited on a second yellow, and Tormenta gave up two more goals to fall 3-1.
They will regroup this week to face another offensive onslaught from Hailstorm FC at home. Striker and 2022 goals leader Kazaiah Sterling is not expected to be in the roster.
What’s working so far: Mukwelle Akale leads the league in goals in Sterling’s absence.
So one of the goals was controversial. Not his fault. He was there, got the ball from John Murphy, and took the shot, and the call never happened. You take what you can get. The second was a beauty of a free-kick set piece to equalize against Charlotte. We’ll see what adjustments happen when Sterling returns, but at least someone else is able to step up in the meantime.
9) Greenville Triumph
Last week: 4
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Richmond Kickers
Next match: at Tormenta FC, 4/8
Greenville made a late pre-season splash and signed striker Leo Castro. And sure enough, he started the match alongside first-time professional Lyam MacKinnon, over last year’s goals leader, Jacob Labovitz. And they kind of went flat, aside from an unlucky Labovitz shot off the bottom of the top post. It wasn’t like they couldn’t get in the box, but once there, nothing seemed to connect. They’ll have a US Open Cup challenge at USL Championship side Phoenix Rising before regrouping with league play vs. Tormenta FC the following weekend.
What’s working so far: possession and getting into the box
The shutout certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. Greenville dominated possession at nearly 60% and had 9 shots from inside the box. However, only 2 were on target, and Richmond blocked 7. So we know Greenville can get there, now they have to figure out how to make it count.
10) Red Wolves SC
Last week: 10
Matches since last ranking: DRAW vs Hailstorm FC
Next match: vs. Fuego FC, 4/1
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC had a whole bunch of question marks coming into 2023 after having such a massive off-season roster turnover. But you know what? They weren’t that bad in their opening match, drawing a visiting Hailstorm FC side that put up quite the offensive onslaught. Along the way, they maintained almost 60% possession, and put up four shots on target of their own. We’re going to need another week, but maybe things will work out after all for the 2022 runners up.
What’s working so far: Carlos Avilez is an early candidate for goalkeeper of the year
Avilez was a brick wall against a Hailstorm onslaught, with eight saves. He was easily the difference between the 0-0 draw and what could have easily been two or three to nil. He’s going to need some better support, but he’s not a bad option to have as a backstop.
11) Lexington SC
Last week: 11
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Knoxville SC, 2-1
Next match: at North Carolina FC, 4/1
Lexington SC went down to Knoxville SC for their first-ever USL League One match and walked out with a loss and a red card for veteran midfielder Don Smart. It was a chippy match, and while they were somewhat outplayed, it also could have been a whole lot worse.
What’s working so far: they’re an expansion side that isn’t getting blown out yet
I know that sounds a little negative compared to the rest of the league, but the first match for a new club with a relatively young roster could have seen their debut go a whole lot worse than just a 2-1 loss. Red card aside, Don Smart showed he still has the ability to torment a defense. Charlie Machell and Tate Robertson showed some flashes of offensive potential. It’s a long season, but this isn’t an awful start.
12) Fuego FC
Last week: 12
Matches since last ranking: PPD vs. North Carolina FC
Next match: at Red Wolves SC, 4/1
Fuego FC’s first match was postponed due to the weather situation in the central valley. But, they have taken the time to complete their roster, mostly re-signing outstanding free agents from the 2022 squad. They’ll have their first test at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC this Saturday.