It’s been an exciting few weeks since USL League One Day One, with a flurry of subsequent transactions and then the home openers announcement today. Still, some big questions remain as the 2023 season approaches.
Lexington SC and Greenville Triumph: Rosters and Stadiums?
Two clubs have yet to make any roster announcements, expansion side Lexington SC and league OG Greenville Triumph. While the former is not too surprising, being an expansion side and all, the latter is starting to become a bit concerning. So far we know that former Triumph forward Jake Keegan signed with One Knox SC, and goaltender Paul Christensen retired.
Lexington SC had been speculated to start their season at University of Kentucky’s Bell Soccer Complex, but that has never been finalized. Their first home match is scheduled for Saturday April 8th, with the location to be determined. Meanwhile, Greenville conspicuously failed to mention a location for their home match on Saturday March 25th in their announcement. So, who is playing and where?
Who Will Lead Union Omaha?
Jay Mims abruptly resigned as head coach on December 16th, and a replacement has yet to be announced. The club sits on the edge of their past success and an uncertain future, and going into a pre-season with a new coach could take it either way. But who will that coach be?
Where Will The Top Remaining Unsigned Players End Up?
While rosters are being filled out across domestic leagues, and some USL League One free agents are likely holding out for an upgrade to a higher tier, those higher league rosters are quickly filling up. And a lot of the USL 1 clubs have needs to fill. Some top talent remaining unsigned from the 2022 USL1 season includes:
- Jonathan Bolanos (league assists leader, all-league first team, MVP nominee)
- Juan Galindrez (13 goals)
- Jacob Labovitz (12 goals)
- Arthur Rogers (all league first team, defender of the year, MVP nominee, 9 assists)
- Miguel Ibarra (7 assists, 3 goals)
- Venton Evans (6 goals, 3 assists)
- Adrian Billhardt (comeback player of the year, 5 goals, 5 assists)
- Evan Lee (all league first team defender)
- Brandon Fricke (all league second team defender)
- Mikey Maldanado (all league second team defender)
And while we’re at it…
Who Needs What?
- Charlotte Independence: goalkeepers, starting defenders, midfielders, forwards, support for all positions
- Forward Madison: goalkeeping, midfielders, support for all positions
- Fuego FC: backup goalkeeper, defenders, forwards, support for all positions
- Greenville Triumph: everything
- Hailstorm FC: backup goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards, support for all positions
- Lexington SC: everything
- NCFC: backup goalkeeper, midfield support
- One Knoxville SC: experienced goalkeeper, support for all positions
- Richmond Kickers: backup goalkeeper, starting defender, backup defenders, supporting midfielders and forwards
- Tormenta FC: backup goalkeeper, starting defender and midfielder, support for all positions
- Red Wolves SC: backup goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards, support for all positions
- Union Omaha: backup goalkeeper, defenders, forwards, supporting defenders and forwards, a head coach
So, there are a lot of needs to fill, and a whole lot of remaining talent. Expect the chips to start falling more over the next few weeks.
What’s the Best Opening Matchup?
We’re going with the league opener, North Carolina FC vs. Tormenta FC. This match will see the last place club host the defending champions, but wait! We boldly have NCFC at number one in our pre-season power rankings, after being throughly impressed with their targeted off-season signings. But not to fret, champs: we have you at number two. So for our money, this should be a fun match where we can see if NCFC is worth our hype, or if Tormenta FC can keep their momentum going.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting season, and we’re looking forward to covering it.