Over the course of a season, the clubs that rise to the top of the USL Championship’s Eastern and Western Conferences invariably have a collection of key contributors to that success.

As important as that collective will be over the next four weeks, the USL Championship Playoffs is also the stage that sees X-factor players come to the fore. Think about Santiago Patiño’s five-goal postseason a year ago to lead San Antonio FC to its first title, or others that have risen to the moment to deliver over the course of a postseason.

With that in mind, here’s a player from each club in the Eastern Conference that could rise to that moment this postseason. Check out our picks for the Western Conference here.

Birmingham Legion FC – Enzo Martinez

It’s quite the thing, going from one of the most reviled opponents for a club’s fanbase to becoming maybe the most essential part of its success and a cult hero, but that’s what’s happened with Enzo Martinez in the past two seasons. Formerly a foe at the Charlotte Independence, the veteran playmaker has been outstanding for two seasons since arriving at Legion FC and will be this postseason.

Martinez’s 40 combined goals and assists (25G, 15A) are almost double the total of his closest teammates since his arrival – Juan Agudelo and Prosper Kasim both sit at 22. The 33-year-old’s success this postseason could be the difference between Legion FC making a run, and their playoffs ending quickly. 

Charleston Battery – Nick Markanich

A second-year pro, Nick Markanich isn’t the Charleston Battery’s most prolific goalscorer this season, or its leader in assists. That said, the complete package he’s shown in midfield and the attacking third has made him an invaluable part of the club’s turnaround in 2023.

The 23-year-old ranked third on the Battery with 29 chances created and had a solid shot conversion rate of 19.2 percent – nothing extraordinary, but easily replicable in the postseason. His work-rate defensively was also a plus for the Battery, making him an essential part of the club’s lineup and pressing style. He’ll hope to translate that into success in his first postseason.

Detroit City FC – Maxi Rodriguez

Now in his third season at Detroit City FC, Maxi Rodriguez continues to be a talisman for Le Rouge alongside fellow longtime standouts like defender Stephen Carroll and goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher. The 28-year-old’s high-level numbers aren’t quite as eye-catching as a season ago – his four goals and three assists ranking second and first in the squad respectively highlighted Detroit’s attacking challenges this season – but his energy in midfield rarely wavered.

That’s where Rodriguez can provide an edge for Detroit as it enters the playoffs as a No. 8 seed. Providing a key moment of creativity – either in open play or from a set piece – gets magnified at this time of year, and Rodriguez is a player that can rise to that challenge.

Indy Eleven – Cam Lindley

There were expectations for Indiana native Cam Lindley returning for his second stint at Indy Eleven after his success with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. After the way the 26-year-old closed the season there’s major reason to believe that he can be a catalyst for the club to succeed this postseason.

Lindley recorded six assists in the final six games of the season as he stepped into set piece duties with Aodhan Quinn sidelines, adding to an already solid season that saw him post an 86.2% passing accuracy rate and win 68.8 percent of tackles. Add in his experience helping the Switchbacks to a Western Conference Final last year, and the central midfielder could have a central role if the Boys in Blue are to make a run.

Louisville City FC – Brian Ownby

There’s been little for LouCity fans to enjoy about the side’s attacking performances this season, but there’s always one thing the club can lean back on – Playoff Brian Ownby. The veteran winger is tied for the all-time lead in goals with eight in the USL Championship Playoffs in his career, having found a way to deliver in key moments during two runs to the league title and four Eastern Conference titles.

With three goals and four assists this season, the 33-year-old has also been one of the brighter spots for LouCity in a disappointing regular season for the club, which enters with the lowest seeding of its history at No. 5 in the East. If LouCity’s run of reaching the Eastern Conference Final in every season of its history is to continue, Ownby might have an essential role to play.

Memphis 901 FC – Rodrigo Da Costa

With the quality it features throughout the lineup, Memphis 901 FC has numerous candidates to step up this postseason, but Rodrigo Da Costa could be the player that lifts the side as it seeks its deepest postseason run yet. Acquired early in the season as part of a pair of blockbuster moves with FC Tulsa, the Brazilian has more than held up his end of the deal with 12 goals and three assists in Memphis’ colors over 25 appearances.

Da Costa also brings a small amount of prior postseason success. In 2020 he was one of the goalscorers as Tulsa battled El Paso Locomotive FC to a draw before falling in a penalty shootout to open the playoffs. On a team that’s loaded with attacking talent, Da Costa will look to provide the finishing that tends to be the hallmark of a title contender.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Danny Griffin

There have been major contributors all over the field for the Players’ Shield winners this season. What Danny Griffin brings, though, is a high level of quality and versatility that has continued to make him indispensable since his return from a brief sojourn with Huntsville City FC.

In 26 starts, Griffin has only missed 32 minutes of play in the league since his return, ranking fifth in minutes played at the club despite having eight fewer appearances available to him. The 25-year-old ranked second for the Hounds with 39 interceptions, had a tackle success rate of 69.7 percent, and notched 16 chances created, providing balance and the chance for Kenardo Forbes, Robbie Mertz and the club’s other midfield creators to thrive.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Leo Fernandes

It’s a lot to expect someone who only logged 46 regular season minutes after coming back from what was sensed at the time to be a season-ending injury to deliver big-time performances in the playoffs, but who are we kidding? Leo Fernandes is the sort of player that has shown what he can do in the postseason before and could be a player that provides more magic this year for the Rowdies.

Fernandes has recorded five playoff goals previously for the Rowdies, including a clutch penalty kick last season to send the side through against Memphis 901 FC. His minutes might be limited, but the buzz and energy Fernandes’ presence on the field provides in front of the Rowdies’ home fans could be enough to lift Tampa Bay to another deep postseason run.