USL Championship Is Back & 10 Reasons Why You Should Watch

I wanted to put together a complete USL Championship preview before the season got back going, but I’ll be honest… I ran out of time. So I’ve decided to put together a list of 10 USL Championship player that I am excited to watch this upcoming remainder of the season. I will note that I got this idea from Jeff Reuter at The Athletic, BUT, this is with a small twist. These are the players that are drawing me to sit down and watch the USL Championship. I feel that these ten are top of the top at their level and some may even deserve a shot at the MLS level.

-Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC

The 29 year old Ghanian international was the 2019 league MVP and with the 1,000,000 reasons that there are to tune into Phoenix Rising… Solomon tops the list. Last season, the talented winger was able to rack up 22 goals and 18 assists across USL Championship, playoffs, and U.S. Open Cup play. Even in the one game that was played pre-Covid, Solomon was able to score a goal and rack up two assists. When you’re able to have the opportunity to watch Carlos Vela play in MLS, or LeBron James play in the NBA, you watch. If you have the opportunity to watch Solomon Asante play in USL Championship… you watch.

-Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies

I’ll go from one proven USL Championship player to another. But this time instead of a top of the line attacker, let’s go to a big bodied center back in Forrest Lasso. The 27 year old defender has racked up close to 100 USL Championship games and has clearly proven to be one of the best center backs in league history. He is also threatening offensively as he has scored 11 goals across his USL Championship career. Lasso has been able to dominate and now will lead a tough Tampa Bay backline that has a bunch of talent on it. Being partnered with a guy like Jordan Scarlett as well will only be a help to Lasso’s game. 

-Logan Ketterer, El Paso Locomotive FC

Ketterer never got his chance in MLS when he was with the Columbus Crew, I’m pretty sure it was one U.S. Open Cup game and that was it. So eventually leaving and going to a team where he would get minutes was inevitable. He ended up in El Paso where he has been spectacular! If you include USL Championship playoff games played, Ketterer has been able to play in 37 matches for Locomotive and has only allowed 37 goals. He has also been able to rack up 15 shutouts in that time as well! Yes, Ketterer has had some stellar defensive players in front of him, but he has been able to make some great saves and keep El Paso in games. 

-Arturo Rodriguez, Real Monarchs SLC

The defending USL Championship champs needed to re-tool after losing guys like Konrad Plewa and Kalen Ryden who were key to their run last season. Also due to MLS’s bubble in Orlando it wasn’t clear if they’d have access to their usual RSL loanees in Justin Portillo, Erik Holt, Douglas Martinez and others. So why not go out and (if FC Dallas was willing to let him go) get the best player from USL League One? The 21 year old midfielder was able to play in 30 games for North Texas SC and in those games score 8 goals and record 10 assists. Arturo is going to be a star in USL Championship and Real Salt Lake getting him into their organization is going to be big in the upcoming years. 

-Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC

First off Parano is the reigning USL Championship Young Player of the Year, he is very… very good. The young Argentinian isn’t even in his maturity as a player yet and he has had a stellar season under his belt. Last season he had 32 games finishing with 7 goals and 6 assists. At this point Parano is an attacking midfielder but at such a young age I could see him bouncing out wide, playing as a striker, even staying at the 10. Parano is already looking top of his class in the Championship and I expect only bigger play ahead. But watch this kid now before every MLS and some overseas team wants a bid on him. 

-Jose Gallagos, San Antonio FC

Gallagos is another young talented midfielder from San Antonio. Seeing Gallagos and Parano in the same SAFC midfielder is going to be exciting to watch! He has less of a resume to show his talent, but 17 games played, 1 goal, and 1 assist at 18 years old is big! Gallagos is another guy who we might see in MLS and overseas one day. The U.S. youth international might throw another talented midfielder to the bunch one day. Again, see the start of his career in USL Championship before he moves on to the next level. 

-Hugh Roberts, Charlotte Independence 

Let’s jump from the young talented players of this league to a guy who’s been grinding and at the top of his class in USL Championship for a while. Hugh is THAT DUDE on many fronts. First being a leader in the fight for BLM in the Charlotte community. Second, for being ahead of his career with the creation and hosting of his podcast Back Yard Footy. And finally, being an extremely talented center back. At 27 he has racked up close to 160 USL games, 8 career goals, and 2 career assists. I’d say that he has also thrived and really played his best soccer for Charlotte. An all league player and a stand up guy, hey MLS Charlotte, why not give the guy a shot? 

-Manny Perez, North Carolina FC

The 21 year old right-back has been and still is on loan at NCFC from Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. Perez is a guy who is impressive defensively and is continuing to get US U23 camp looks. I would love to see Perez have a standout season leading to him having a spot on Celtic’s roster. I think Perez is close to that point and without a doubt a big reason to tune into North Carolina FC.

-Frank Lopez, OKC Energy

For the true USL Championship people I even feel like this may be an odd one, but I am a big fan of striker Frank Lopez. Lopez played in the LA Galaxy system for Los Dos as well as for San Antonio FC. His 57 career games have lead him to 26 goals and 4 assists. Lopez is a very talented out-and-out striker. I think I love a good Cuban leaving their country for a better life story, which adds to my interest in Lopez. But I’m expecting him better his 14 goal season from last year. 

-Tyler Pasher, Indy Eleven

Arguably my favorite player in USL Championship, Tyler Pasher has THRIVED since arriving in Indianapolis. Pasher has been in a few MLS system’s but hasn’t produced like he has in Indy. 17 goals and being an absolute threat offensively, Pasher is a leading candidate for why Indy are the real deal, top of the league! He’s another guy on my list who I feel can, should, and will take that jump to MLS soon enough.