What I've Missed From USL Is!

It has been a while since I have put out an episode of the USL Aces Podcast or written a USL centered blog. In that time that I have missed a lot of players and moves have gone down. I wanted to put together a piece for my top ten moves for both the USL Championship and USL League 1 that I have missed either talking, writing, or tweeting about. To give some hints leading into this blog; there is a lot of Florida centered conversations here, some sales to MLS, and even a potential “no name”, so lets start this:

10. New England Revolution II signing winger Orlando Sinclair - USL League 1

So here is my “no name” player that I think people are going to look back at the League 1 season and be like, this dude was it for RevsII. Sinclair is a 21 year old forward that can play either wing and even up top as a striker. Coming on loan from the Costa Rican giants Saprissa, I am really excited to see Sinclair all over the field for Revs II and maybe even impress enough to be signed by the first team. Sinclair was on loan last season at Loudon United where he was able to score 3 goals and 1 assist in 24 games. I really like this move from the Revs and them taking the “risk” on another young Costa Rican attacker from a club that just produces talent.

9. Tacoma Defiance signing midfielder Collin Fernandez - USL Championship

When I was doing my research for this blog I didn’t initially think that the Tacoma Defiance would be on my list, but here they are! I am a huge fan of Collin Fernandez and if I am looking at this move from his perspective, this is his shot to make it back to MLS through the Seattle Sounders system. Still at the super young of age of 22, Fernandez can really take over this squad. He isn’t going to go out there and light up the box score or rack up the assists, but Collin Fernandez will control the games in Tacoma. He has over 70 games worth of USL Championship experience and if he is going to do anything here it will be holding possession and doing his best to find potential teammates in Danny Leyva, Handwalla Bwana, and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez.

8. Birmingham Legion signing center-back Alex Crognale - USL Championship

Birmingham Legion made the USL Championship playoffs in 2019 with a god awful defensive record. They were able to score and get some positive offensive play, but when it came down to locking it up… it didn’t really happen. So Birmingham goes out this offseason and tries to sign a defender who could be a top big man in the league, in his prime as well. Crognale comes in with a ton of MLS experience after playing almost 40 games with the Columbus Crew. Added to that he have around 30 games of USL Championship experience on his loan stints with Orange County SC and Indy Eleven. I think that Crognale is a MLS level defender now playing in USLC. To me he has the talent over other super talented defenders like Forrest Lasso and Joe Greenspan. 

7. Forward Madison signing striker Wojciech Wojcik - USL League 1

The giant 27 year old Polish man jumps from the Championship to League 1 and I think with a huge opportunity to thrive. Wojcik has succeeded and scored even when he doesn’t have a ton of talent around him on the field. He has 19 USL Championship goals to his name from his time with the OKC Energy, Hartford Athletic, and Indy Eleven. If you watch his goals, he can beat you with the ball at his feet, then crush it into the back of the net. He has a lot of power and doesn’t need a lot of room to hit a BANGER from outside the box. I think looking at this attack with him and JC Banks as a second striker, Forward Madison might go from a standout defensive squad, to a team that will be known for some Mingoals (I’ll see myself out).

6. Phoenix Rising FC selling defender James Musa and Adam Jahn to MLS - USL Championship

Now I might be slightly cheating here with this pick but you can’t ignore the inter-league moves and that they have fees attached! Phoenix Rising dominated the regular season in 2019 and it was helped due to Musa and Jahn. James Musa played in 29 games from the defensive midfielder role in 2019, and to me that DM role is one of the most important on any soccer field. Having a guy that can sit in front of the backline and break up possession is key. Musa did that and Phoenix will miss that in 2020. They will also miss the 18 goals contributed from Adam Jahn who heads to Atlanta United. My main takeaway from this is a good thing though. Phoenix Rising are capable enough to replace the product on the field, but now they sold two players for a fee, that’s HUGE! What can they do with this money and turn this around to put back into the team. Phoenix is doing this right for the long term and are an example for ALL USL teams. With this cash influx can we get .50 cent beer night? 

5. Real Monarchs adding some League 1 starlets - USL Championship

The defending USL Championship champions are a perfect example on thriving and winning with younger talent. They realize the importance of development and finding talent. Adding Greenville’s Chris Bermudez and Richmond’s Joe Gallardo are very smart moves from them. I want to start with 22 year old striker Joe Gallardo who was one of the lone bright spots on a tough Kickers squad in 2019. 6 goals and 4 assists for Richmond won’t translate to 20 goals in 2020, but with his development to continue and a potential path to MLS, I think Gallardo is one of these initial USL League 1 players that can eventually make that jump. Bermudez is a smaller guy with a huge motor. He was a standout for Greenville, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. He was also one of the better attacking players for Greenville in the playoffs last season. I don’t know if they will be immediate on the field impacts in 2020, but watch out for these guys come 2021/2022. 

4. FC Tulsa signing Lebo Moloto and Bradley Bourgeois - USL Championship

A new logo and some big time signings, Chicago Fire take some notes because Tulsa knows how to do a rebrand. Lebo Moloto will be the engine of this 2020 FC Tulsa midfield from the #10 spot. Moloto has played very well and stood out for Swope Park Rangers, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and most recently with Nashville SC. He has the amazing ability to score with ease as well as distribute even better. I think that he will make the attackers better that what they are capable of. Then adding a stud defender in Bourgeois, they are setting themselves up for a massive turnaround this year. The 25 year old CB was great for Nashville last season and Tulsa is taking advantage of the former Nashville players not make the MLS jump. 

3. Miami FC signing striker Romario Williams - USL Championship

The 25 year old Jamaican proves every year that he can score. Williams is in his prime and will be the star player for Miami FC in their first ever season in USL Championship. He will be one of the biggest ballers down in Miami (and yes I am also saying with Inter Miami there as well). Williams has been a part of 60+ USL Championship games and he has scored 32 goals! Williams is the closest thing to a sure thing goal scorer in USL Championship that you’re going to find. His MLS experience also helps but I think that a young Jamaican killing it in Miami is a recipe for success in 2020.

2. Tampa Bay Rowdies signing goalkeeper Evan Louro - USL Championship

A goalkeeper being a top two signing? Yes, yes I did that. Evan Louro was playing in the MLS Futures games not too long ago and I thought would have had a shout with the Red Bulls after Luis Robles left this off-season. But now the former baby bull standout heads to Florida where he will have a shot to be the easy choice starter for an independent club. Louro is young at only 24 years old, has a huge upside with his athletic ability, and he’s a big boy! I really think that Tampa Bay has made a such a smart move in bringing in a guy with his ability to only make them even better defensively in 2020. A strong force in net will improve a defense and having that as their backbone, Tampa Bay will be USL Cup contenders from day 1.

1. Greenville Triumph signing forward Alex Morrell - USL League 1

This one may be weird to people too, but I whole heartedly believe this. Greenville had an amazingly successful year one by making it to the League 1 final and having the top defense in the league. They went out this offseason with the idea to improve their offense and boy did they. Having guys like Omar Mohamed on the roster for 2020 is great but having the versatile Morrell for me really puts them as front runners for League 1 in 2020. That is why this is my number one move. Alex Morrell is a guy in his prime, can play as a lone striker but also get out on the wing, he isn’t completely lost when getting back on defense, has the ability to score (4 goals last season) and can also create just as well (2 assists last season). I love this move and see absolutely no negatives here. Good on you Greenville!