NEWS & NOTES

CHARLESTON’S M&M BOYS CLOSE IN ON SCORING RECORD
The Charleston Battery’s Nick Markanich and MD Myers combined for five of the club’s goals in a 6-0 victory against Orange County SC this past Saturday. In doing so, the duo moved into second place in the Championship’s regular season for combined goals by a pair of teammates in a single season, with Markanich’s 24 goals and Myers’ 13 goals giving the pair 37 between them.

Nicknamed the M&M Boys, Markanich and Myers trail the former Phoenix Rising FC duo of Solomon Asante (22 goals) and Adam Jahn (17 goals), who recorded a combined 39 goals during the club’s 2019 regular season.

Most Goals by an Attacking Partnership in a USL Championship Regular Season
1. Solomon Asante (22) & Adam Jahn (17), Phoenix Rising FC (2019) – 39 goals
2. Nick Markanich (24) & MD Myers (13), Charleston Battery (2024) – 37 goals
3. Cameron Lancaster (25) & Ilija Ilic (11), Louisville City FC (2018) – 36 goals
4. Hadji Barry (25) & Michee Ngalina (8), Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2021) – 33 goals
5. Thomas Enevoldsen (20) & Michael Seaton (12), Orange County SC (2018) – 32 goals

NEW MEXICO UNITED CONTINUES HOLD OVER SWITCHBACKS

New Mexico United claimed its 11th victory in 16 regular season meetings against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC with a 1-0 win at Weidner Field this past Saturday. New Mexico’s 11 wins place it tied for second for wins against an individual opponent since the start of the 2019 season, when United joined the USL Championship, behind Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s 12 victories in 14 meetings with Loudoun United FC.

Most Victories Against an Individual Opponent in the USL Championship Regular Season (2019-present)
1. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Loudoun United FC – 12 wins in 14 contests
T-2. New Mexico United vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – 11 wins in 16 contests
T-2. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Hartford Athletic – 11 wins in 15 contests
T-2. Hartford Athletic vs. Loudoun United FC – 11 wins in 15 contests
5. Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Miami FC – 10 wins in 14 contests

CHARLESTON’S NICK MARKANICH MOVES WITHIN ONE OF SCORING RECORD

The Charleston Battery’s Nick Markanich became only the 11th player to record multiple hat tricks in a single regular season in the USL Championship’s history as he bagged his second of the season against Orange County SC this past Saturday. Two players have previously recorded three hat tricks in a single season in the league – San Antonio FC’s Tani Oluwaseyi in 2023 and Louisville City FC’s Matt Fondy in 2015.

Markanich has now recorded 24 goals this season, one shy of the record of 25 goals held by former Louisville City FC star Cameron Lancaster (2018) and former Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC star Hadji Barry (2021). His strike rate currently sits at a goal every 89.5 minutes, which ranks second among players who have recorded a 20-goal campaign in league history.

Best Strike Rate in 20-Goals Seasons in the USL Championship Regular Season
1. Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC (2018) – 25 goals, 80.2 mins/goal
2. Nick Markanich, Charleston Battery (2024) – 24 goals, 89.5 mins/goal*
3. Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC (2021) – 20 goals, 92.6 mins/goal
T-4. Matt Fondy, Louisville City FC (2015) – 22 goals, 106 mins/goal
T-4. Kyle Murphy, Memphis 901 FC (2021) – 20 goals, 106 mins/goal

RHODE ISLAND FC FIT TO BE TIED ONCE MORE

Rhode Island FC recorded its 13th draw of the 2024 Championship regular season on Saturday night as Koke Vegas’ stoppage-time penalty kick save earned the side a 0-0 result against Loudoun United FC at Segra Field. RIFC is now one draw from equaling the single-season record for drawn contests in the league, a mark that has been achieved on five previous occasions.

Most Drawn Games in a single USL Championship Regular Season
T-1. San Antonio FC (2023) – 14
T-1. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (2018) – 14
T-1. Charleston Battery (2018) – 14
T-1. Rio Grande Valley FC (2018) – 14
T-1. Ottawa Fury FC (2017) – 14
T-6. Rhode Island FC (2024) – 13*
T-6. – Nine additional teams tied on 13 draws

Quick Hits

- New Mexico United’s Alex Tambakis became only the second player to record 50 regular season shutouts in the USL Championship in United’s 1-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this past Saturday. Tambakis currently has six shutouts this season, two off his individual single-season high of eight set in 2019 with North Carolina FC.

- Indy Eleven forward Sebastián Guenzatti moved into sole possession of fifth place all-time in the USL Championship’s regular season scoring list as he notched the 75th goal of his career against Las Vegas Lights FC. Guenzatti reached the mark in his 203rd regular season appearance.

- Sacramento Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone became the 18th player to record 60 goals in the USL Championship’s regular season in his side’s 1-0 win against San Antonio FC this past Saturday. Cicerone reached the mark in his 199th regular season appearance.

- The Tampa Bay Rowdies recorded the most shots and fourth-most shots in a game this season during Week 25, setting a new season high with 31 shots against Miami FC on August 24 after notching 28 shots against Detroit City FC on August 21.

- Phoenix Rising FC’s current four-game scoreless streak has equaled the longest in club history. Rising previously went scoreless in four consecutive games between September 12, 2015 and March 26, 2016. The streak encompassed the final three games of the 2015 regular season and the club’s season-opener in 2016 and produced an overall scoreless streak of 390 minutes.

- Orange County SC’s current five-game scoreless streak has equaled the longest in club history. OCSC previously went scoreless in five consecutive regular season games between August 7, 2011 and April 20, 2012. The streak encompassed the final three games of the 2011 regular season and first two games of the 2012 regular season and produced an overall scoreless streak of 526 minutes.

Upcoming Player Milestones

Appearances
Approaching 200 regular-season appearances
Russell Cicerone (SAC) – 199
James Musa (IND) – 197
Wes Charpie (LOU) – 197

Approaching 150 regular season appearances
Adrián Diz Pe (IND) – 149
Leland Archer (CHS) – 149
Thomas Vancaeyezeele (HFD) – 147

Approaching 100 regular-season appearances
Derek Dodson (BHM) – 99
Abdoulaye Diop (DET) – 99
Nick Moon (TBR) – 98
Juan Carlos Azócar (PHX) – 98
Nanan Houssou (NM) – 98
Alex Lara (MB) – 98
Junior Etou (PIT) – 97

Minutes
Approaching 15,000 regular season minutes
Wes Charpie (LOU) – 14,823
Sebastian Guenzatti (IND) – 14,802
Charlie Adams (LV) – 14,691

Approaching 10,000 regular season minutes
Danny Vitiello (SAC) – 9,810
Jorge Hernández (SA) – 9,626
Wilson Harris (LOU) – 9,618

Goals
Approaching 60 regular season goals
Romario Williams (IND) – 58

Approaching 50 regular season goals
Frank López (MIA) – 49

Approaching 40 regular season goals
Brian Ownby (LOU) – 39
Leo Fernandes (TBR) – 38
Rodrigo Lopez (SAC) – 38
JJ Williams (RI) – 37
Justin Portillo (SAC) – 37
Tyler Pasher (BHM) – 37

Assists
Approaching 50 regular season assists
Enzo Martinez (BHM) – 48
Rodrigo Lopez (SAC) – 46
Brian Ownby (LOU) – 46

Approaching 40 regular season assists
Christiano Francois (LDN) – 39

Approaching 30 regular season assists
Niall McCabe (LOU) – 29
Jorge Hernández (SA) – 29
Cam Lindley (IND) – 28
Florian Valot (LDN) – 28

Saves
Approaching 600 regular season saves
Alex Tambakis (NM) – 597

Approaching 450 regular season saves
Matt VanOekel (BHM) – 448

Approaching 300 regular season saves
Jordan Farr (TBR) – 290

Approaching 250 regular season saves
Jake McGuire (NC) – 249
Tomás Gómez (OC) – 236

Approaching 200 regular season saves
Koke Vegas (RI) – 184

Shutouts
Approaching 40 regular season shutouts
Tomás Gómez (OC) – 38

Approaching 30 regular season shutouts
Nate Steinwascher (DET) – 27 

Discipline Report – Week 26

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the USL Championship’s discipline report for Week 26 of the 2024 USL Championship season:

Louisville City FC’s Adrien Perez has been suspended for one game following his red card for abusive language against Hartford Athletic on August 24. Perez will be unavailable for selection in Louisville’s contest against North Carolina FC on Saturday.

Orange County SC’s Ryan Doghman has been suspended for one game following his red card for denial of a goalscoring opportunity against the Charleston Battery on August 24. Doghman will be unavailable for selection in Orange County’s contest against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday.

The Charleston Battery’s Mark Segbers has been suspended for one game following his red card for violent conduct against Orange County SC on August 24. Segbers will be unavailable for selection in Charleston’s contest against San Antonio FC on Saturday.

New Mexico United’s Zico Bailey has been suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on August 24. Bailey will be unavailable for selection in New Mexico’s contest against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday.

FC Tulsa’s Harvey St. Clair has been suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Detroit City FC on August 24. St. Clair will be unavailable for selection in Tulsa’s contest against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Sunday.

El Paso Locomotive FC’s Noah Dollenmayer has been suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Monterey Bay F.C. on August 24. Dollenmayer will be unavailable for selection in El Paso’s contest against Detroit City FC on September 7.

Las Vegas Lights FC’s Gennaro Nigro has been suspended one game for caution accumulation after receiving his eighth yellow card of the season against Indy Eleven on August 24. Nigro will be unavailable for Las Vegas’ contest against Orange County SC on Saturday.

Louisville City FC Head Coach Danny Cruz has been suspended for one game following his red card for two cautionable offenses against Hartford Athletic on August 24. Cruz will serve his suspension during Louisville’s contest against North Carolina FC on Saturday.

Loudoun United FC assistant coach Victor Lonchuk has been suspended for one game following his red card for dissent after deliberately leaving the technical area against Rhode Island FC on August 24. Lonchuk will serve his suspension during Loudoun’s contest against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday.

Tampa Bay Rowdies assistant coach Nicky Law was suspended for one game following his red card for dissent after deliberately leaving the technical area against Detroit City FC on August 21. Law served his suspension during Tampa Bay’s contest against Miami FC on August 24.

FC Tulsa’s Edwin Laszo is no longer on caution accumulation warning after receiving a good behavior credit following his third consecutive game without a yellow card against Detroit City FC on August 24.

The following players and coaches enter the upcoming matches one caution away from their eighth yellow card of the season and a one-game suspension for caution accumulation.

Here is the breakdown per club:

• Hartford Athletic (1): Brendan Burke

• Indy Eleven (1): Callum Chapman-Page

• Memphis 901 FC (1): Marlon Santos

• North Carolina FC (1): Lamar Batista

• Oakland Roots SC (1): Memo Diaz

• San Antonio FC (2): Mitchell Taintor, Kevon Lambert