This USL Championship season has produced some memorable individual campaigns, marked by consistency at either end of the field that will have players up for the USL Championship All-League Team and Awards in the coming weeks.

But when it comes to the USL Championship Playoffs, we’re never short on potential surprise performers that step to the mark when their team needs them most. Those are the players you might term X-factors, who over 90 or 120 minutes can deliver a game-changing performance that sends their side a step closer to the 2024 USL Championship Final.

Here are our picks for the players to watch in the Eastern Conference. You can find our Western Conference selections here.

Charleston Battery – Juan David Torres

There’s been a clear headline act in Charleston this season thanks to Nick Markanich’s exploits, and MD Myers has proven a great foil as the No. 9 to make a record-setting attacking partnership for the Battery. But did you know Juan David Torres led the side with five goal contributions in October, recording two goals and three assists over the final four games of the season? The Colombian’s ability to both break down opposing defenses and strike from distance with a league-leading five goals from outside the penalty area will make him a key player in the Battery’s prospective run.

Detroit City FC – Laurent Kissiedou

Detroit City’s starting lineup almost writes itself at this point with striker Ben Morris and playmaker Maxi Rodriguez each reaching 10 goals this season, but late-season addition Laurent Kissiedou has already shown why he was acquired by Le Rouge over his first 10 appearances. The attacking midfielder has scored a pair of goals as a second-half substitute, including a tremendous equalizer against the Charleston Battery on October 5. Despite his limited minutes, Kissiedou ranks second on Le Rouge with a +0.26 Goals Added Above Average by position per American Soccer Analysis and could be key as the side looks to build on its best regular season in the USL Championship.

Indy Eleven – Maalique Foster

It’s fair to say Maalique Foster hasn’t completely set the world on fire since joining Indy Eleven via a midseason transfer from Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. At the same time, he’s offered something the side was lacking in an attacking threat that can win one-on-one battles and either create or score. Despite only making 12 appearances for Indy, he ranked second on the team with 21 completed dribbles. He also ranked second in the league overall with 61 completed dribbles over the full season. Foster’s had big-game experience in the past – just think back to Sacramento Republic FC’s U.S. Open Cup run two years ago – and is the sort of gamebreaker that can make a big difference over 90 minutes.

Louisville City FC – Adrien Pérez

Primarily due to injuries, Adrien Pérez started less than half of Louisville City’s regular season contests and logged only 1,243 minutes of action in his first season with the club. Despite that, he still tied for the club lead with seven assists while chipping in a pair of goals. That was mainly due to his high-quality chance creation in the final third, with 10 of the 24 chances created Pérez was credited with rated as big chances by Opta, putting him third on the club in that category. After starting the final game of the season, the 29-year-old could be in position to make a serious difference as LouCity goes after its third league title.

North Carolina FC – Ezra Armstrong

It’s somewhat reductive, but when Ezra Armstrong was on song for North Carolina in the regular season, good things tended to follow for the side overall. NCFC was 6-3-0 in games in which the left-sided wingback recorded either a goal or assist as his ability to challenge opposing defenses off the dribble and on counterattacks helped power an attack which ranked fifth in the USL Championship with 54 goals. Armstrong’s 47 completed dribbles at a success rate of 48.5 percent ranked sixth in the league and offer a dynamism that can make him a difference-maker as North Carolina looks to spring a surprise as the No. 8 seed.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Junior Etou

There have been some key performers for the Hounds in the second half of the season, but over the full campaign there might not have been anyone more important than Junior Etou. That’s why the versatile defender graded out at a +2.81 Goals Added Above Average to lead all full backs in American Soccer Analysis’ USL Championship ratings as he delivered at both ends of the field. Etou’s defensive diligence saw him beaten off the dribble on only 11 occasions all season per Opta, and he could be the lockdown performer that helps the Hounds keep opposing attacks in check as well as providing his own threat on the flank.

Rhode Island FC – Jojea Kwizera

The Rwandan international has been among the top wingbacks in the league this season, ranking fifth in the Championship with 48 completed dribbles and ranking second on his squad to Golden Playmaker winner Noah Fuson with 47 chances created. Kwizera’s ability to turn defense into attack helped power Rhode Island’s transition game – he won 33 of 46 tackles at a 71.7% success rate – and that attacking presence is going to be key as the first-year side looks to make a run in its first postseason. 

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Cal Jennings

The underlying numbers for Cal Jennings were great all season. He led the league in Goals Added Above Average by position with a +7.12 mark – almost two goals more than Rowdies attacking partner Manuel Arteaga, who ranked second – and he finished the season with 15 goals after scoring in consecutive games to end the campaign. At the same time, this season felt somehow disappointing for the 27-year-old, whose Expected Goals mark of 16.95xG ranked third in the league. The postseason could be the moment where it comes good for one of the league’s top marksmen all-time, which could make the Rowdies dangerous.