Who’s the best player currently in the USL Championship?

The shrewdest analytical mind covering the league, and regular contributor to the site, John Morrissey has made his picks for Backheeled.com, and they’re sure to generate plenty of debate among the league’s fans and around the locker rooms.

What do I make of the list? Let’s break it down.

• NAILED ON NO. 1 – The Charleston Battery’s Aaron Molloy checks in at No. 1, and there’s no argument here. There’s a reason he’s been on consecutive All-League First Teams and was a Player of the Year finalist in 2022, and that influence has carried smoothly over to the Battery.

• WHO’S TOO HIGH? – We love Oakland Roots SC goalkeeper Paul Blanchette around these parts, but No. 13 seems a little high considering some of the players close behind in the teens like Louisville City FC’s Wilson Harris and San Antonio FC’s Jorge Hernandez.

• WHO’S TOO LOW? – Yes, it’s still early in the season, but the Charleston Battery’s Nick Markanich has taken a major jump this year after being a big part of the side’s resurgence in 2023. With that in mind, No. 25 seems a little low to us.

• WHO’S MISSING? – There are some big names absent from the list, but the most surprising might be three-time Defender of the Year Forrest Lasso of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Also, shout-out to what Mobi Fehr’s doing currently in Monterey Bay.  

• FINAL PEDIGREE? – Sacramento Republic FC leads all clubs with six selections, with Louisville City FC close behind on five. That tells us these two stacked lineups might be the favorites to reach the Championship Final in November based on raw talent.

Make sure to check out the full list at Backheeled.com (paywall).