League One Updater's Week in Review: And Then There Were Two
Thrilling semi-final matchups set up a final showdown between two of the league's best. Plus free agency, coaching news, new stadiums and the final nail in Tormenta's coffin.
Chattanooga Makes Boise Work For It
Two weeks ago on The USL Show, the five of us who made opening round predictions were harsh on Chattanooga. We called them the weakest team in the playoffs, and everyone predicted a first-round flameout at Omaha.
Instead, the Red Wolves scored early, conceded late and then held on through extra time, dragging the second seeded club to penalties where veteran goalkeeper Ricardo Jérez bested Omaha's Rashid Nuhu to advance his side.
After their social media admin rightfully put us on blast, the squad took this energy into Boise. Unfortunately this time, the opponent kept possession early and prevented an early goal, and keeper Jonathan Kliewer stopped all three shots on target.
But at the other end, Chattanooga's defense, again backed by Jérez, still managed to drag this thing into extra time at 0-0. Boise held around 80% possession and hammered away with 31 shots (9 on target). Eventually in the 114th minute, Jesús Barea found an angle and got one by Jérez, sending the 8,000-strong home crowd into a frenzy.
There would be no opportunity to win this via penalties, and Chattanooga headed home for the off-season. Boise meanwhile was left to wait on the result of Charlotte vs. Madison to find out if they would have another home match or travel cross-country for the final.
Charlotte's Veterans Seal the Deal Against Madison
Twelve minutes into this one, it seemed we were headed towards a high-scoring, back and forth thriller.
Likely MVP winner Jon Bakero struck first, just under ten minutes into the match, but less than two minutes later, Madison's DC United loanee Hakim Karamoko hit back.
But it took until the 40th minute for former LA Galaxy defender Séga Coulibaly to find the back of the net via a header on a cross from Bakero. It may have also helped distract Madison keeper J.T. Harms that Golden Boot winner Souaibou Marou was flying in with his own head towards the shot.
After a largely uneventful second half (unless you like injury stoppage), the Jacks held on and will now host the final for the first time ever. Their last and only appearance came in 2023 when they lost at NCFC in penalties.
Another Final Featuring Two of the League's Best
Just like last year, the playoff final will feature teams that finished in the top four of the table. Charlotte won the Player's Shield by finishing first, and Boise finished third.
And while Charlotte all but ran away with the shield towards the end of the season, these two sides are built similarly enough to guarantee we're going to see a thriller.
Boise got here with a veteran-heavy roster, seemingly built to carry over to USL Championship. Charlotte came in with its own healthy mix of talented, experienced veterans and young up-and-comers. Both have six players with six goals or more, and three with five or more assists.
Of course, Charlotte is poised to run away with the end of season awards, with Golden Boot winner Marou, Golden Playmaker (and likely MVP) Bakero, Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Levy and the nominee for both Defender of the Year and Young Player of the Year, Javen Romero.
But is all of this star-power and recognition enough to carry Charlotte to its first USL League One playoff title? It's carried them here with ease so far.
Meanwhile, Boise would like nothing more than to win the league and give the illusion that the move to USL Championship was earned, much like NCFC did in 2023.
We give the slightest of edge to Charlotte here, but do not recommend betting the house by any means.
Charlotte will host at the Sportsplex at Matthews, a 5,000 capacity facility at which they've played several matches this season. Their main stadium, American Legion Memorial, is booked up with a charity event next Saturday.
Around the Rest of the League
Roster Decisions Loom
Free agency officially begins December 1st, and many eliminated clubs have already started informing players with an option of their future. We expect public roster decision announcements to begin after next week's league final.
So far, Portland Hearts of Pine is shaping up to see the biggest off-season changes after a disappointing year. The biggest questions there remain the status of two injured stars. Winger Ollie Wright confirmed that he is under contract next season, but also said his injury rehabilitation has a target return date of June 29th.
Midfielder Masashi Wada is presumed to have an option, but if picked up, may also see his rehabilitation carry over into the 2027 season. Assuming Wada is picked up, Portland not only has to rebuild around the two, but also plan for them to miss up to half the season. After a season of disappointment, but flush with cash and with an experienced new Sporting Director in the mix, we could see this club going all out in free agency to up the chances of a title in 2027.
In the meantime, we've set up our annual transaction tracker based on who we already know is out of contract and who is returning.
Alex Ashton
Coaching News
FC Naples announced the departure of interim head coach Zak Gordon, who will be moving to New Jersey to be closer to family. Gordon took over from Matt Poland mid-season, and led the club from 14th place to the 8th and final playoff spot.
Backheeled is reporting this afternoon that One Knoxville's Ian Fuller is departing for the open role at Birmingham Legion. It's a rumor we've also been hearing for a few days now.
Greenville Triumph will have a decision to make, with Joel Tyson still carrying the interim tag into the off-season.
Finally, we're still waiting on official confirmation on who will have the roles at expansion sides Fort Lauderdale United and Port St. Lucie.
Union Omaha, Port St. Lucie Secure Stadium Deals
Perennial USL League One contenders Union Omaha struck a deal with the city of Omaha to construct a soccer specific stadium downtown, set to open in 2028. The $140 million facility should have a finished capacity of 8,500, in a public-private partnership between the city and the club.
Union Omaha had previously been announced as moving to USL Championship, but it appears the club will remain in USL League One while finishing 2027 at Morrison Stadium.
Meanwhile, 2027 expansion side Port St, Lucie saw its stadium approved by the city council. The 6,000 capacity facility is set to be ready by the 2028 season, and there is still no word on the temporary facility for 2027.
The Death of South Georgia Tormenta
When the Statesboro, GA based club abruptly shuttered professional operations in pre-season earlier this year, there was still hope that the financial issues could be settled and everyone's favorite small-market club-that-could would return.
However, this week public Statesboro Planning Commission documents indicate that the half-finished stadium itself is now slated for demolition in favor of a mixed-use development.
Farewell, old friends. We'll always have 2022.
Clubs Reported to be Exiting
Meanwhile, there have been no updates from Westchester SC and Corpus Christi FC, nor from the league regarding the fate of those franchises. It's still assumed they will not be fielding teams in USL League One in 2027, but we're all hoping any Hail Mary plays in progress work out.
The last official word from Corpus Christi was denial, and there has been no public word from Westchester.
In addition, after reports that Spokane had some major financial issues this year, 2027 season tickets went on sale. It's not a guarantee that they're in the clear, but it's at least a sign in the right direction.
Will USL League One Welcome Miami FC?
The reports that Miami FC is self-relegating to USL League One continue to pick up steam, especially following the club's exit from the USL Championship playoffs this weekend.
What we do know is the club's lease at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University is now expired, a facility that was far too outsized for the club's attendance anyway. A move to USL League One would allow the club to get reoriented in a smaller facility and provide much more favorable travel for away matches.
We're still keeping an eye on any other rumored self-relegations, especially in Las Vegas, Jacksonville and Brooklyn.
In the meantime, things are looking up for Oakland Roots, after the city of Almeda approved its plan to spin up a temporary stadium at the club's training ground. The long-term plan remains a flagship, premier level stadium at Howard Terminal.
Related Links
Season Ticket Holder NY has an interesting profile on Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries and his connections to the Cosmos history.
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