Happy Independence Day USL fans!

Just like that, the season is half done. While not all clubs have reached the halfway points of their matches played yet, they’ll catch up as we head into July and August. So what happened over the last week of the first half of the season?

• Tormenta 0-1 Madison
• NCFC 2-0 Charlotte
• Greenville 1-0 Madison
• Richmond 2-0 Chattanooga
• Fuego 0-1 Omaha
• Lexington 1-5 Tormenta
• OFF: Knoxville, Northern Colorado

Here’s how we have the league stacking up moving into week 17, and the second half of the season. Records in W-D-L format.

BONUS: we briefly profile each club’s first half MVP.

1) Hailstorm FC

Last week: 1
Record: 6-4-1 (6th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Fuego, 1-0
Next league match: vs. Charlotte, 7/4

Hailstorm had the week off, and heads into July with some strong momentum. They’ll need all of it, as this will be their most challenging stretch yet, facing five top-six (or recently in the top-six) clubs (Charlotte twice, One Knox, Richmond and NCFC), with unpredictable bottom-six challengers Chattanooga and Union Omaha peppered in. They’re coming into the second half of the season with just one loss, and a whopping two points per match. They’re also getting all-league quality play out of multiple players, from Trevor Amann to Lalo Delgado, Billy King, Lucky Opara, Bruno Rendón and Arthur Rogers.

We’re feeling pretty confident in their ability to pass the July test, but it all starts on Tuesday against a Charlotte side coming off a bitter loss to NCFC.

First Half MVP: Arthur Rogers

Rogers is the pin that holds it all together, and a massive reason for the success of the team with Irvin Parra’s absence and Rob Cornwall’s injuries. Shifting into a midfield role has also allowed some other defenders to shine, such as Lucky Opara and Bruno Rendón, while shining a light on Roger’s ability to create chances. The reigning defender of the year is heading towards league MVP honors if he keeps this up in the second half.

Runners up: Trevor Amann, Lalo Delgado, Billy King, Lucky Opara, Bruno Rendón

2) North Carolina FC

Last week: 3
Record: 8-2-4 (1st)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Charlotte, 2-0
Next league match: at One Knoxville, 7/8

That’s a wrap on the Dogwood Derby, with NCFC taking the 2023 title on goals scored after a 2-0 shutout in Cary on Friday. Oalex Anderson moved up the golden boot table with both goals, in what seemed like a statement match to remind the league that this team is still as good as it was in the early part of the season. Maintaining the momentum will be key as they face One Knoxville before their third and final matchup with Forward Madison, the club responsible for two of their four losses this season.

First Half MVP: Rafa Mentzingen

The Brazilian midfielder and winger has six goals on the year, and leads in shots and chances created. And while teams may have learned how to better cover him over the last few matches, the increased coverage has just led to more goals coming from Oalex Anderson and Louis Pérez, and more chances coming from Garrett McLaughlin. But he’s not just an offensive powerhouse: he also leads the team in duels won, giving opponents fits trying to get out of the midfield. He’ll be well in the running for league MVP if this keeps up.

Runners up: Oalex Anderson, Louis Pérez, Garrett McLaughlin

3) Forward Madison

Last week: 2
Record: 7-4-4 (2nd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN at Tormenta, 1-0; LOSS at Greenville, 1-0
Next match: vs. Fuego FC, 7/8

The Mingos started off the week moving to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Tormenta on a goal of the week worthy shot from Nazeem Bartman. It was not to last, as NCFC took back the spot on Friday, and Madison was unable to take it back on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Greenville. Madison will host Fuego FC on Saturday, hoping for revenge for the upset handed to them last month.

First Half MVP: Isidro Martinez

On a squad that gets a lot of production from up and down its roster, Martinez still stands out. He leads the team in chances created, and has a goal and two assists. He also leads the team in interceptions, and has top four numbers in tackles won and duels won. His impact in the midfield cannot be understated, especially given the improvement over last season.

Runners Up: Christian Chaney, Jake Crull, Bernd Shippman

4) Richmond Kickers

Last week: 6
Record: 6-6-4 (3rd)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Chattanooga, 2-0
Next match: at Union Omaha, 7/8

The Roos capitalized on two bad fouls committed by the undisciplined Red Wolves defense, and took the win on penalty kicks from Emiliano Terzaghi and Nil Vinyals. The teams peppered each other with shots, with Richmond taking a whopping 26 with seven on target, while the Red Wolves took 18, but only three on target. In the end, Will Palmquist made a couple of save-of-the-week worthy stops, and Chattanooga was unable to convert.

Richmond will travel to Omaha on Saturday to face a still questionable Union Omaha side. They’re now at the point where a loss would only drop them to sixth place, but a win would challenge for top of the table.

First Half MVP: Nathan Aune

The big man in the back is having a career season, having stepped up after the off-season departures of 2022’s backline mainstays. He leads the league in passes and is second in clearances, and leads his squad in blocks, duels won and aerial duels won. On a squad that hasn’t found goals to come easy this season, defense is often the key in grinding out low-margin wins or salvaging draws. But speaking of goals, Aune has also contributed a pair.

Runners Up: Akira Fitzgerald, Emilano Terzaghi, Nil Vinyals

5) Charlotte Independence

Last week: 4
Record: 6-5-4 (4th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at NCFC, 2-0
Next league Match: at Northern Colorado, 7/4

NCFC exacted revenge for an early season loss to Charlotte, leaving the Jacks heading into a busy July on a downer. Winless in their last three, with two losses and an unacceptable draw to Chattanooga, they’ll have 18 possible points this month with which to make up for it. But they’ll have to face Northern Colorado twice, as well as Richmond and Greenville, making home matchups with Lexington and Fuego absolute must wins. This is the real test to see if the aging core can remain healthy through a brutal month of heat and travel.

First Half MVP: Joel Johnson

On a squad that has so many contributions up and down the roster, it’s hard to pick one player with an outsized impact, but Joel Johnson stands out just a bit more than the rest. The utility man has started at five different positions, and thrived at each, both in defensive and offensive roles. Traditionally a right-back, Johnson has stepped up where needed, especially important when key players such as Clay Dimick, Brad Dunwell and Gabriel Obertan have faced injuries. At the midway point of the season, Johnson is tied for first on the team in goals with three and leads the team with 25 chances created.

Runners up: Omar Ciss, Clay Dimick, Gabriel Obertan, Austin Pack

6) Greenville Triumph

Last week: 7
Record (6-4-5, 5th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN vs. Madison, 1-0
Next match:

Greenville continues its climb up the table with its third consecutive win, and sixth consecutive without a loss. Defeating a surging Madison side at home certainly sends the message that this squad is back, after such a bad start to the season. Hopefully having this week off will not kill the momentum, as they host One Knoxville on July 15th, followed by trips to Charlotte and South Georgia in quick succession. It won’t be easy, but the way they’re rolling, we may see this team end up in the top three by the time July ends.

First Half MVP: Leo Castro

The 34 year old long-time professional veteran has done exactly what he was signed to do: provide much-needed experience, leadership and goal-scoring threats in the front. His presence and abilities have boosted those around him more than could be imagined, with Lyam MacKinnon and Lucas Coutinho both experiencing breakout seasons playing alongside Castro. He also has five goals, four assists and leads the team in shots. And he’s not one to park himself up front and wait for chances either; he leads the team in both duels won and aerial duels won, by far.

Runners Up: Lucas Coutinho, Lyam MacKinnon, Aaron Walker

7) One Knoxville SC

Last week: 5
Record: 5-6-4 (7th)
Matches since last ranking: DRAW at Omaha, 1-1; DRAW at Richmond, 2-2
Next match: vs. NCFC, 7/8

One Knox had the week off to prepare for an upcoming home matchup with NCFC on July 8th. The club is on the edge of greatness, but will need to prove itself in a gauntlet of tough matches after NCFC, including Northern Colorado and Greenville. They showed they could score open-play goals against a tough Richmond defense, so if they can keep that up, they just might make it out alive.

First Half MVP: Derek Waldeck

It’s been a rollercoaster of two seasons for the left-back, who became expendable after half a season with MLS Next Pro side North Texas SC. Finishing the 2022 season with Greenville, where he helped the club to its 2nd place finish, Waldeck became one of the last announced signings for One Knox in the off season. From there, his impact on the left side of the pitch has stood out as he leads the team in chances created and assists, while still among the top four defensively in interceptions, tackles won, and duels won.

Runners Up: Jake Keegan, Angelo Kelly-Rosales, Jimmie Villalobos

8) Union Omaha

Last week: 8
Record: 4-7-3 (8th)
Matches since last ranking: WIN at Fuego, 1-0
Next Match: vs. Richmond, 7/8

If technical difficulties prevent the fans from watching or following along in the match center, does it even happen? We’ll just assume yes, as the Owls came out of this after dark, in the dark matchup with a 1-0 victory on a Noe Meza goal. It might take a bit more than that to grind past Richmond this weekend, but they’ll take the win and prepare accordingly. On the horizon: Hailstorm, One Knox, Lexington and Tormenta. It’s going to be a tough month, but with three of the 18 possible points already obtained, they’re off to a good start.

First Half MVP: J.P. Scearce

Solid production in the midfield for Union Omaha by J.P. Scearce is like death and taxes at this point, and the first half of 2023 has been no exception. While the team has struggled to convert wins, they’re still on pace to score more goals than last season, and Scearce’s midfield play has been a big part of that. He has two goals on the season so far, and leads the team in duels won, tackles won, and is second in aerial duels won and interceptions.

Runners Up: Steevan Dos Santos, Luis Gil, Noe Meza

9) Tormenta FC

Last week: 9
Record: 5-3-7 (9th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Madison, 1-0; WIN at Lexington, 5-1
Next match: vs. Chattanooga, 7/15

Tormenta started the week with a 1-0 loss against Forward Madison, but took its frustration into Lexington over the weekend which resulted in a 5-1 thrashing of the home side. We’re not ready to declare that Tormenta is back, because Lexington is below Tormenta both statistically and in the table. If anything, it showcases this side’s inconsistency. But if they can manage to glean some points out of upcoming matches against Chattanooga, Greenville, Madison and Omaha, we might be ready to declare the return of the kings. For now, all we can say is that the talent is there, but the consistency is not.

First Half MVP: Tobias Otieno

In an inconsistent season plagued with injuries, Otieno has stood out as bright spot of consistency in the midfield. He has contributed two goals and an assist, is second in chances created. Defensively, he leads the team in interceptions, and is second in tackles won, and duels won. He’s also stepped up to don the captain’s armband when needed. As the team moves into the second half of the season trying to figure out where everyone fits in, his place in the midfield provides some much needed stability.

Runners Up: Nick Akoto, Jackson Khoury, Davey Mason

10) Lexington SC

Last week: 10
Record: 3-5-7 (10th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Tormenta, 5-1
Next match: at Charlotte, 7/9

Was it the one where Tormenta finally figured itself out, or was Lexington particularly bad? We’re leading a little towards the former, but it’s never, ever a positive thing to concede five goals in a home match. It’s been a struggle trying to escape the bottom three in the table, that’s for sure. Charlotte, Fuego, Omaha and Richmond loom on the horizon, and we’re still not sure the trajectory of this club.

First Half MVP: Nico Brown

After struggling for minutes with Greenville, Brown found himself released in the off season, only to be quickly scooped up by expansion side Lexington. Given this new chance, he is having a career year, leading his squad in goals with five, but also leading the team in duels won. Lately, a good strategy has been to get the ball to Nico, and let him do his thing. In a year in which the expansion side has struggled to get out of the bottom three of the table, Brown has at least given the fans some exciting goals, and helped separate them from the bottom two and give some hope.

Runners Up: Ates Diouf, Terique Mohammed, Tate Robertson

11) Red Wolves SC

Last week: 11
Record: 3-9-3 (11th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS at Richmond, 2-0
Next match: vs. Northern Colorado, 7/8

There was no late comeback this past weekend in Richmond, but the team did not allow any open play goals, despite being peppered with shots. That’s a positive, maybe? However, discipline issues remain a problem, as the defense committed two fouls in the box, both of which had their penalty kicks easily converted by the hosts. It’s a tough rest of the month for the struggling Red Wolves, with Northern Colorado, Tormenta, One Knox and NCFC coming up. We don’t see much happening with this squad, even with the coaching change.

First Half MVP: Ropapa Mensah

There isn’t much to write home about when it comes to this squad, but the comeback of Ropapa Mensah has been fun to watch, even if he seemed frustrated about being the hardest working player on the pitch at times. The striker is the co-leader in goals with 3, despite starting the season late, and has provided an assist and 18 shots. This all despite missing all of 2022 with an injury. If the rest of the squad can get its act together under acting head coach Jimmy Weekley, they could pose a serious threat.

Runners Up: Moe Espinoza, Riley Kraft, Chevone Marsh

12) Fuego FC

Last week: 12
Record: 3-10-1 (12th)
Matches since last ranking: LOSS vs. Union Omaha, 1-0
Next match: at Forward Madison, 7/8

What’s one positive thing to say about Fuego right now? They’ve only given up five goals in the last four matches, although they’ve lost all four. Martin Vasquez departed on a “mutual agreement” yesterday, giving room for assistant Adam Smith to try to salvage something out of this disaster of a season. The potential is still there, with Jose Carrera-Garcia and Alexis Cerritos, and perhaps we’ll see a return of Arce Jaramillo. But to say they’ve struggled with shots during the first half of the season is an understatement. They have 110 shots, last in the league by a long shot, and only nine goals to show for it. If Smith can somehow fix this, they might have a chance to make a run at the final playoff spot. There are 15 possible points in July, and they need every single one of them, but without goals, it ain’t happening.

First Half MVP: Alexis Cerritos

The young forward has shown moments of brilliance in an otherwise dismal season, with his three goals and an assist, as well as his team leading 89 duels won. Whether he is being set up to lead the next generation of this squad after the inevitable off-season breakdown, or will find himself transferring to a better opportunity remains to be seen, but either way, the future looks bright for Cerritos.

Runners Up: José Carrera-Garcia, Arce Jaramillo, Ozzie Ramos