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Which position should each USL Championship club target before the Roster Freeze?

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/30/24, 7:30AM EDT

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We’ve matched each club with a position of need, or in some cases, nice to have, ahead of the Sept. 9 deadline


The Tampa Bay Rowdies acqusition of Ryan Spaulding, along with Memphis 901 FC deal for Panos Armenakas and Louisville City FC's for Phillip Goodrum, are among the big moves we've already seen before September 9's roster freeze.

While the international transfer window for the United States closed on August 14, teams in the USL Championship can still add domestic talent and free agents until the roster freeze on Monday, September 9 at midnight.

That means it can be time for clubs to load up for a playoff run – see Memphis 901 FC’s acquisition of Panos Armenakas or Louisville City FC’s blockbuster transfer for Phillip Goodrum this month – but more likely they’re going to try and fill a gap that might keep them from going deep in October and November.

I’ve assessed every club to see what it’s most pressing need might be – or, in some cases, what it might be nice to add if they can. Here’s where you might see some activity in the next 10 days.

Birmingham Legion FC – Center Forward: This is the toughest position for clubs to fill, but Legion’s inconsistency in front of goal – 21 open-play goals in 25 games – is the reason why they’re not higher in the standings.

Charleston Battery – Full Back: Starters Mark Segbers and Nathan Dossantos are good, and Robbie Crawford can be called on in a pinch, but one more specialist full back to go with Josh Drack might be advisable.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Holding Midfielder: The Switchbacks have Speedy Williams and Aidan Rocha in the fold, but someone who can be a consistent ball-winner could be useful for late game situations to shield the back line.

Detroit City FC – Winger: Detroit has used wide players, but none has been great on the dribble – Abdoulaye Diop leads the team with 1.3 completed dribbles/90 – or in terms of service – Rhys Williams leads the team with 16 completed open play crosses.

El Paso Locomotive FC – Center Back: Locomotive already brought in Wahab Ackwei to bolster its center back group but finding another option or two with an eye on building toward 2025 could be a good idea.

Hartford Athletic – Center Back: Athletic goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro has been one of the busiest in the league, averaging 3.94 saves per game. Reducing the number of shots the side faces is going to be key to Athletic’s postseason chances.

Indy Eleven – Right winger: On paper, Indy has one of the deepest rosters in the league, and it probably addressed this by adding Maalique Foster for the stretch run. Getting service into Augustine Williams, Romario Williams and the rest of their collective attack feels like it’ll be important.


Indy Eleven's acquision of Maalique Foster from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC appeared to address a need for the side on the right side of attack as it looks to make a playoff drive. | Photo courtesy Isaiah J. Downing / Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Las Vegas Lights FC – Forward: Las Vegas has had a decent one-two punch in attack from Khori Bennett and attacking midfielder Noël Valentin, but it’s been lacking in scoring off the bench with only three goals from substitutes this campaign. In for a penny, in for a pound, it could be the final piece the Lights need to complete their remarkable turnaround.

Loudoun United FC – Center Back: Loudoun’s defenders have grown over the course of the season, but there’s a case to be made for a veteran head to come in and become part of the rotation as either a starter or off the bench as a late-game addition.

Louisville City FC – Forward: We almost said wingback as a joke, but then LouCity went and brought back Manny Perez on Wednesday. What do you get the team that seems to have everything? Another striker, of course.

Memphis 901 FC – Forward: The Beale Street Boys have done work in adding Panos Armenakas to their attack and goalkeeper Triston Henry in recent weeks and its attack still seems fine enough. There’s something to be said for a battering ram you can call on when a late goal might be required.

Miami FC – Central Midfielder: Miami leaks goals like a colander, but their back line isn’t too bad. It’s missed the likes of Bolu Akinyode or Andrew Booth since his move to Tulsa to help protect them and help win possession in the middle of the park.

Monterey Bay F.C. – Central Midfielder: With Rafael Baca following Frank Yallop out of Cardinale Stadium, Monterey Bay could use a connector in the center of midfield and attacking third to help their push for the playoffs.

New Mexico United – Winger: There’s not a big reason for New Mexico to add. That said, finding some pace out wide that could take the minutes that were tabbed for Dayonn Harris before his injury could be a good idea for the Western Conference leader.


Dayonn Harris' season-ending injury could have New Mexico United on the lookout for a player who can offer his speed and quality on the flank before the roster freeze. | Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

North Carolina FC – Set Piece Taker: NCFC hasn’t set the league alight in attack this season and that’s partly due to its set piece numbers, where it’s recorded only one goal via a free kick this campaign. Getting someone who can deliver a good dead ball in could be a plus down the stretch.

Oakland Roots SC – Attacking Midfielder: Johnny Rodriguez has been a marvel this season with 10 goals, but there’s not been much support beyond that in the final third. Finding someone who could help unlock Miche-Naider Chery, Dom Dwyer and the rest of Oakland’s attack would be useful.

Orange County SC – Forward: If you haven’t noticed yet, Orange County hasn’t scored in five consecutive games. That should come to an end anyway, but getting someone who can consistently find the net is going to be a must for OCSC’s playoff chances.

Phoenix Rising FC – Full Back: Phoenix has made its best effort to try and shake up its attack in the last few weeks, but it has notably been a bit short in the defensive end. There are a lot of center backs here for Rising’s prior three-CB system, but there isn’t really a specialist full back if the side wants to go to a back four – which is how Emil Cuello ended up at left back against North Carolina.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Forward: Last weekend was a burst of confidence for the Hounds, but the ups and downs the side has seen in front of goal have it chasing the pack. It’s probably a longshot to find a striker who can push the side over the line, but they probably need to try.

Rhode Island FC – Center Back: Rhode Island has been solid enough defensively, but it has struggled at set pieces – primarily free kicks, where it has conceded a league-high five goals. Getting someone to anchor the middle of the back three or serve as a late-game option when you’ve got the lead could be useful.

Sacramento Republic FC – Center Back: With Shane Wiedt having suffered a broken clavicle earlier this month and other ailments, Republic FC has leaned on 17-year-old Chibi Ukaegbu, who’s looked the part. Getting some added depth alongside Conor Donovan, Lee Desmond and Jared Timmer would be an option.


17-year-old center back Chibi Ukaegbu has impressed after being called into service with injuries hitting Sacramento Republic FC's back line over the past month. | Photo courtesy Irina Filenko / Sacramento Republic FC

San Antonio FC – Forward: It’s the obvious position given San Antonio’s predicament, because the side has been good at a lot other than finishing. SAFC’s cross success rate of 25.1 percent has seen the side average 5.4 completed crosses per game – third-highest in the league – and with Juan Agudelo sidelined last week, there’s no-one else to really finish those off.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Center Back: This might be one of the more urgent moves to be made. With Forrest Lasso likely done for the season and Aaron Guillen and Jordan Doherty both out last week, Tampa Bay had to suit up Blake Bodily in its back line. That’ll work if you’re playing Miami this season, but you’d expect the Rowdies are working the phones looking for help.

FC Tulsa – Attacking midfielder: Tulsa already added Aaron Bibout on loan to be its center forward down the stretch, but the side has relied a lot on set pieces – per Opta, it has five goals from both corners and free kick this season, and only 14 from open play. Getting someone who can link and create in the final third could push the side into the postseason.

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