Head Coach: Tom Soehn

Venue: Protective Stadium

2024 Record: 13-15-6, 45pts, 9th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: N/A

What’s Happened This Offseason?

After missing out on the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time in club history, Birmingham Legion has undergone a major makeover with some notable departures such as veteran center back Alex Crognale (San Antonio FC) and club original Prosper Kasim moving on, plus the transfer of star young midfielder Matthew Corcoran to Nashville SC of Major League Soccer.

The biggest arrivals have come in attack where the club added perennial double-digit goalscorer Ronaldo Damus on loan with an option to buy from Swedish club GIF Sundsvall and 2023 title-winner Danny Trejo, who returns to the Championship after a season with Korona Kielce in Poland’s top flight. That duo adds to some impressive returning firepower with Tyler Pasher, Tabort Etaka Preston and Enzo Martinez in the squad, but the key question facing Legion will be finding the right balance defensively after conceding more than 50 goals in each of the past two regular seasons.

Key Returnee – Kobe Hernandez-Foster, midfielder: The 22-year-old central midfielder was impressive in his first season in Birmingham, ranking second to Enzo Martinez in minutes played (2,917) and showing impressive on-ball qualities as he led the team with 66 chances created and four assists while averaging 56.6 passes per 90 minutes. Keeping those elements and increasing his defensive solidity is going to be key for Hernandez-Foster, who should as more of a defensive shield in front of the back four in his second campaign.

Key Arrival – Danny Trejo, forward: Trejo’s return to the Championship with Legion was one of the headline signings of the offseason with the former Las Vegas Lights and Phoenix Rising standout bringing a high level of finishing and creativity to his new home. The 26-year-old recorded a combined 50 goals and assists (37G, 13A) in 81 appearances previously in the Championship, leading Rising to the 2023 league title while claiming All-League First Team honors. As Legion looks to push back into the playoff conversation this year, Trejo is going to be a key figure.

Young Player to Watch – Ramiz Hamouda, defender: The 16-year-old center back made a positive impression in logging almost 500 minutes of action in 14 appearances in his first professional campaign. This offseason he was part of the United States U-17 Men’s National Team that qualified for November’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring once in two appearances. With the changes in Legion’s defensive corps, Hamouda could be in line for more minutes and more visibility this year.

Key Number – 104: Legion has conceded 104 goals over the past two regular seasons, an average of 1.53 per game. That’s a number that needs to be reduced to get Legion where it wants to be in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: The Legion have typically run a back four, and that won’t change even with high-powered attackers like Danny Trejo and Ronaldo Damus signing on. Trejo’s skill and Damus’ gravity ought to open space in the final third, and both are excellent on the counter.

Questions linger about the balance further back. Birmingham often pushes into a 4-2-4 in the press at their most aggressive, and while the new signings fit that bill, there could be trouble if the front line isn’t on point. With Dawson McCartney sliding into the pivot next to Kobe Hernandez-Foster, the Legion won’t have a classic destroyer in the midfield. Having lost Alex Crognale, they’re also short of their keenest intervenor from the back. How Head Coach Tommy Soehn finds a new balance will be critical.

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK – Matt VanOekel; D – Moses Mensah, AJ Paterson, Phanuel Kavita, Stephen Turnbull; DM – Dawson McCartney, Kobe Hernandez-Foster; AM – Danny Trejo, Enzo Martinez, Tyler Pasher; F – Ronaldo Damus

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 10th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Ben Pirmann

Venue: Patriots Point

2024 Regular Season: 18-6-10, 64pts, 2rd in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Final

What’s Happened This Offseason?

The Battery went from a record year-on-year improvement in 2023 to the best regular season campaign in club history with 18 wins and 64 points that in many years might have had them in contention for the Players’ Shield. The side fell in the Eastern Conference Final to Rhode Island FC, putting paid to the hopes of a second consecutive year with silverware, but Head Coach Ben Pirmann’s squad looks set to be back in contention once again with a strong core returning and some eye-catching new arrivals.

The key departure for the side, of course, is 2024 USL Championship Player of the Year Nick Markanich, who is now featuring for LaLiga 2 club CD Castellon after his offseason transfer. The Battery have reloaded in attack, however, bringing aboard one of the Championship’s top recent scorers in Cal Jennings, an experienced hand in Douglas Martinez Jr. and an intriguing arrival from St. Louis CITY SC in

Johnny Klein. With a strong spine remaining in place – including returning Defender of the Year Graham Smith, Leland Archer and Aaron Molloy – the Battery figure to be in the thick of contention again.

Key Returnee – Aaron Molloy, midfielder: The Irish midfielder has established himself as one of the best two-way players in the Championship, earning a third consecutive All-League First Team honor in his first year with the Battery despite missing notable time during the regular season. You could argue Molloy was unlucky not to have more than three assists in the past campaign – he logged an Expected Assists mark of 7.00xA – but having put up at least 70 chances created in each of the past three campaigns, those numbers could take a major uptick thanks to the attacking crew ahead of him this season.

Key Arrival – Cal Jennings, forward: Since Cal Jennings landed in the Championship in 2020 at Memphis 901 FC, no player has recorded more regular season goals than the Georgia native’s 65. After putting up 34 goals in the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, it looked like a return to Major League Soccer might be on the cards, but when that didn’t arrive the Battery were waiting to swoop in and add a ready-made replacement in the front line that could come close to matching Markanich’s production a season ago. Jennings hasn’t won a Golden Boot yet in his career, but this could be the season that changes.

Young Player to Watch – Ezekiel Soto, midfielder: The Battery dipped into the youth ranks again last summer, signing United States youth international Ezekiel Soto to his first professional contract out of the Houston Dynamo academy. The 18-year-old made three appearances for the Battery in the past campaign but could find the opportunity for more minutes after settling into the squad this preseason.

Key Number – +33: Charleston posted a +33-goal differential, surpassing its +20 differential in 2017 for its best mark in the USL Championship era, as the side finished in the top four in the league in goals scored and conceded, the only club to do so.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Can a team have too many star attackers? Ben Pirmann is spoilt for choice in his midfield and attacking lines, and the use of 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 setups at various points across the preseason means that his Battery are willing to change shapes to accommodate their best players. No matter the formation, expect this team to be utterly dominant in terms of possession.

Though Charleston’s back line is mostly unchanged on the face of things, the defensive group is deeper and better shielded thanks to the addition of Houssou Landry in the central midfield. Intelligent about stepping into the tackle and capable of cleaning up danger when required, Houssou will help an already-elite defense and liberate Aaron Molloy to be that much freer as an attacker.

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2): GK – Luis Zamudio; D – Nathan DosSantos, Graham Smith, Leland Archer, Mark Segbers; M – Johnny Klein, Houssou Landry, Aaron Molloy, Juan David Torres; F – MD Myers, Cal Jennings

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 2nd, Eastern Conference

Detroit City FC Head Coach: Danny Dichio

Venue: Keyworth Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 15-8-11, 56pts, 3rd in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

What’s Happened This Offseason?

Detroit City followed up its best regular season campaign in new Head Coach Danny Dichio’s first season in charge with a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. It proved the final game in club colors for local standout Nate Steinwascher, who hung up his gloves, while the side also saw Championship All-League First Team selection Maxi Rodriguez elect to move on to Rhode Island FC in free agency.

There’s still plenty of returning talent, however, including the core of a defense that was among the Championship’s best as it allowed only 32 goals in 34 regular season games, with Stephen Carroll, Devon Amoo-Mensah and Michael Bryant all having inked multi-year extensions this offseason. Also back is forward Ben Morris, also signed to a new deal after 10 goals in the past campaign, while there are enough intriguing newcomers such as South African forward Darren Smith that should keep Le Rouge in playoff contention this season.

Key Returnee – Devon Amoo-Mensah, defender: The 29-year-old center back was stellar defensively throughout the season, sitting near the top of each defensive statistical category for the club including winning 108 aerial duels at a 67.9 percent success rate. That earned Amoo-Mensah Championship All-League honors for the first time, posting a +5.06 Goals Added mark per American Soccer Analysis. With the in-built chemistry Le Rouge’s back line has, it will continue to be the foundation for potential success.

Key Arrival – Darren Smith, forward: The South African forward arrives from Finnish top-flight club FC Inter Turku with a notable scoring record, having bagged 18 goals and six assists in 61 appearances at a strike rate of a goal every 188 minutes. For a Le Rouge side that finally saw a player break into double-digit goals in the regular season a year ago, the 28-year-old could be the player to help push the side’s attack further this year.

Young Player to Watch – Alex Villanueva, defender: The California native delivered a solid debut campaign for Le Rouge, equaling his career-best with 34 appearances and notching three assists on 20 chances created while serving as both a left back and left wingback during the season. At 22 years old, Villanueva is approaching 10,000 regular season minutes after stints with Tacoma Defiance and Orange County SC previously and should be primed for another good year.

Key Number – 8: Detroit City’s eight road victories were tied for the most in the Championship alongside Louisville City FC in the 2024 regular season. Le Rouge were one of four teams to earn more away wins than home wins, taking only seven regular season victories at Keyworth Stadium.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Fretting about Detroit’s new-look front end almost feels academic. The goalscoring matters, but this team hangs their hat on their defensive excellence. Danny Dichio’s 3-5-2, which occasionally flexed into more of a 3-4-3 in the press or with dual midfielders occupying the half spaces in possession, is guaranteed to be stingy thanks to returners like Devon Amoo-Mensah alongside stellar new signings like center back Shane Wiedt and wing back Morey Doner.

What of the midfield? Dichio has ample options. Jeciel Cedeno is more of a No. 10, while Jay Chapman is a deep-lying sort of creator. Marcello Polisi is a classic No. 6, while Haruki Yamazaki covers that spot (or wing back!) with a bit more pizzazz. There’s enough talent around for Detroit to find the right mix, even if it isn’t instant.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): GK – Carlos Saldana; D – Devon Amoo-Mensah, Stephen Carroll, Michael Bryant; M – Alex Villanueva, Abdoulaye Diop, Marcello Polisi, Jay Chapman, Morey Doner; F – Darren Smith, Ben Morris

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 7th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Brendan Burke

Venue: Trinity Health Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 12-14-8, 44pts, 10th place in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: N/A

What’s Happened This Offseason?

After a regular season in which everything trended in the right direction – tripling the number of wins and more than doubling the point total – but fell short of a second postseason trip, Head Coach Brendan Burke returns for his second campaign at the helm aiming to lead the side in its next steps. There was a key departure in net after Renan Ribeiro starred a season ago – now set to be replaced by the tandem of former Monterey Bay FC shot-stopper Antony Siaha and Charlotte FC Chituru Odunze – while longtime midfielder Danny Barrera is also among the departures, but there’s a core here that can be built on.

Leading that group is winger Michee Ngalina, who had eight goals and five assists a season ago, while 20-year-old forward Mamadou Dieng grew into his role with 11 goals in the campaign. The defensive addition of Adrián Diz Pe from Indy Eleven should help at the back alongside returning center backs Joe Farrell and Jordan Scarlett, while full back Sebastian Anderson and attacking midfielder Samuel Careaga should be positive additions. After the success Rhode Island achieved in its inaugural season, there’s pressure here to take another positive step forward at Trinity Health Stadium.

Key Returnee – Michee Ngalina, winger: Making his return to the league after winning the Championship Young Player of the Year award in 2022, Michee Ngalina was one of the standouts for Hartford in 2024, logging a team-best +7.60 Goals Added mark. The problem was the Congolese winger could have gone bigger – and will likely need to – if Hartford is to achieve a breakthrough. Ngalina underperformed his Expected Goals mark (8 goals on 9.49xG) and completed only 36 percent of dribbles. Leveling up this season is going to be the expectation.

Key Arrival – Adrián Diz Pe, defender: Hartford’s defense showed improvement – it was going to be hard to be worse, frankly, than in 2023 – but still gave up too many clear-cut chances game-in and game-out. Diz Pe should help those numbers, with the Cuban center back having been one of the best in the Championship over the past three seasons, earning All-League honors in 2023 while at Indy Eleven. Diz Pe’s stability in possession and defensively should help Hartford improve further.

Young Player to Watch – Mamadou Dieng, forward: The 21-year-old Senegalese forward grew into his role for Hartford and ended the campaign with 11 goals – the most of any player eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award. If Dieng can carry that progress into the new year, he could put himself on the map as one of the league’s best No. 9s.

Key Number – 5.22: With 39 goals in the regular season, Hartford Athletic underperformed its Expected Goals mark of 44.22xG by -5.22 during the 2024 campaign, resulting in its lowest-scoring full season campaign in club history. The club’s secondary scoring behind Mamadou Dieng and Michee Ngalina will need to be more productive this season.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Hartford only arrived on their best lineup late last season, but when they settled into a preferred system, they nearly nabbed a playoff spot. Brendan Burke’s 4-2-3-1 needed to be able to sit deep in block, and additions like Sebastian Anderson (who he coached in Colorado Springs) and Adrian Diz Pe (a longtime USL stalwart) will only improve that dynamic. Own-third defending was a waiting game until Hartford could regain, after which Michee Ngalina and Mamadou Dieng would be off to the races on the counter. That won’t change.

In their own right, Hartford has settled on a midfield group that can win knockdowns on the end of direct build sequences and help to tilt the pitch. Samuel Careaga is a big get for that exact reason, and the former Memphis man also adds late-arriving runs toward the box that make him doubly dangerous. All over the pitch, there’s more quality for a team that was already on the doorstep in the East.

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK – Antony Siaha; D – Emmanuel Samadia, Adrián Diz Pe, Joey Farrell, Sebastian Anderson; DM – Marlon Hairston, Beverly Makangila; AM – Michee Ngalina, Samuel Careaga, Deshane Beckford; F – Mamadou Dieng

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 9th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Sean MacAuley

Venue: Michael A. Carroll Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 14-11-9, 52pts, 4th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

What’s Happened This Offseason?

The swings that Indy Eleven experienced in 2024 – reaching the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, finishing in the top four of the Eastern Conference despite a negative goal differential, elimination in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals for a second consecutive year – made it a year that stands out, but the offseason has brought about moves that could help stabilize the squad and make it consistent enough to be a serious player alongside Louisville City and the Charleston Battery this year.

There are notable departures, including forward Augustine Williams (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC) and Adrián Diz Pe (Hartford Athletic), but those have more than been made up for with new arrivals. Bruno Rendon arrives after earning League One Defender of the Year honors a season ago with the potential to provide versatility on the right side, while Edward Kizza and Elvis Amoh have come into bolster the attack. What’s maybe most important, though, is the retention of the depth that delivered when Indy was at its best, with the midfield trio of Aodhan Quinn, Cam Lindley and Jack Blake all back in the fold and Romario Williams looking like his fearsome self so far this preseason.

Key Returnee – Jack Blake, midfielder: The English midfielder had a career year in 2024, bagging double-digit goals for the first time aided by going 6 of 6 from the penalty spot. But it was more than

just his scoring that saw Blake serve as one of the key players in the lineup as his ability to connect passes in the final third saw him rank fourth on the team with a +5.38 Goals Added mark. What’s more, Indy went winless in the four league outings in which Blake didn’t appear in the regular season, scoring a full goal fewer per 90 minutes, as good an indicator of his positive influence.

Key Arrival – Bruno Rendon, defender: The Cuban full back claimed the League One Defender of the Year award after bagging 15 goals across all competitions for Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC a season ago, helping the side win the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup. That was as indicative of Rendon’s versatility, with his regular minutes at right back being supplemented in more attacking positions throughout the season. How Sean McAuley utilizes Rendon this season is going to be fascinating to watch.

Young Player to Watch – Logan Neidlinger, defender: The 19-year-old became the first from Indy’s Academy to break into the First Team consistently this past campaign, logging his first goal and assist in 847 minutes of action and 15 appearances. With the depth the squad has added, Neidlinger will have to continue to level up to earn minutes but is well worth keeping an eye on after a solid first pro campaign.

Key Number – 46.25: Indy Eleven posted a cumulative Expected Goals Against mark of 46.25xGA during the 2024 regular season, the most of any side in the Eastern Conference to reach the postseason and almost six goals above the mark of Louisville City FC (40.83xGA), which ranked second-highest among Eastern Conference playoff sides.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Indy’s average pass last season travelled a longer distance, nearly 10 yards upfield, than any other USL club. Under Head Coach Sean McAuley, Indy is unabashedly direct, and they’ve tailored their lineup to that tactical preference for 2025. Striker Edward Kizza and center back Pat Hogan know that style; they’re imports from a Pittsburgh team that mastered it. McAuley gets a full preseason to integrate those two while also having stalwarts like Aodhan Quinn and Ben Ofeimu healthy and on the roster; that wasn’t true last year.

Bruno Rendon is Indy’s ace in the hole. Their offense on the right side was somewhat one-note at times, but the former Northern Colorado star is built for the right wing back spot in Indy’s back-three system. He and Aedan Stanley will give the Boys in Blue a terrifying presence on each sideline.

Projected Starting XI (3-4-2-1): GK – Hunter Sulte; D – Josh O’Brien, Patrick Hogan, Ben Ofeimu; M – Aedan Stanley, Aodhan Quinn, James Murphy, Bruno Rendon; AM – Jack Blake, Maalique Foster; F – Romario Williams

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 3rd, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Ryan Martin

Venue: Segra Field

2024 Regular Season: 11-14-9, 42pts, 11th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: N/A

What’s Happened This Offseason?

Loudoun United FC took a major step forward during the 2024 season as its stabilized core and new additions like Florian Valot helped the side record a positive goal differential for the first time in its history. A large contingent of that group is set to return with all seven of the club’s minutes leaders back for the new season, with goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux having played every minute of the season and central midfielder Tommy McCabe not far behind at 3,031 minutes of action.

Where the concern for Loudoun currently lies is there hasn’t been a lot in the way of addition. The only official newcomer aside from USL Academy signings at this point is 21-year-old midfielder Moses Nyeman, who broke into the professional ranks with Loudoun as a 15-year-old and now returns looking for a relaunch of his career back in the DMV. With the departure of the likes of Tommy Williamson and Kalil ElMedhkar – who provided serious scoring punch off the bench last year – Loudoun is currently relying on the idea of growth in the attacking third for players like Wesley Leggett and Abdellatif Aboukoura to carry the side to the next level and a first playoff berth.

Key Returnee – Florian Valot, midfielder: The veteran French playmaker lived up to his billing as a potential difference-maker for Loudoun during the 2024 campaign, logging four goals and five assists in 2,756 minutes of action. It was a slight underperformance on both his Expected Goals (4.66) and Expected Assists (5.65) marks over the season, but if Valot can continue to pull the strings effectively in the attacking third it should provide a positive payoff for United.

Key Arrival – Moses Nyeman, midfielder: When Moses Nyeman opened his account for Loudoun United in the 2019 season, he became the third-youngest goalscorer in the Championship’s history. He still holds that mark – trailing only Alphonso Davies and Cade Cowell – but after a stint in Belgium that failed to serve as the launching point he had hoped it would be, the 21-year-old returns to the DMV after stints with Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United. The hope is this can be the relaunch of Nyeman’s career, and that his ability to connect play in the center of midfield can help carry Loudoun forward as well.

Young Player to Watch – Abdellatif Aboukoura, forward: After signing professional terms midway through the season, the 20-year-old continued to build a career-best season with five goals and one assist in 1,238 minutes of action. Aboukoura has now bagged nine goals in the Championship over the past two seasons, four of which have come from outside the penalty area, and he could take a big step forward this season.

Key Number – 12: Loudoun United ranked tied for fifth in goals conceded in the 2024 regular season, allowing only 39 goals, but 12 of those came in the opening 15 minutes of games, the most in that period of play in the Championship. Making better starts to contests is going to be key to the side’s chances of success.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Loudoun Head Coach Ryan Martin hasn’t always been married to one single shape, preferring to instill particular pressing and possessive principles and choosing a formation based on the squad at hand. Entering 2025, that portends a return to the 4-4-2 for Loudoun. When Loudoun used that setup last year, their ability to push their wingers forward into a four-man press stood out, and the pivot that made it work – which’ll feature Moses Nyeman this time around – has only improved over the winter.

Zach Ryan and Wesley Leggett comprise a fascinating pair up top. Ryan is Loudoun’s best pure scorer, but he’s just as good at dropping into the pocket to hold play up. Leggett, meanwhile, knows how to maximize his speed on the counter and make daring runs to replace his fellow No. 9. If they’re clicking, it’ll go a long way to improve a hot-and-cold offense.

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2): GK – Hugo Fauroux; D – Kwame Awuah, Yanis Leerman, Jacob Erlandson, Keegan Tingey; M – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Tommy McCabe, Moses Nyeman, Florian Valot; F – Wesley Leggett, Zach Ryan

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 11th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Danny Cruz

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 24-6-4, 76pts, 1st in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Semifinal

What’s Happened This Offseason?

Having put together one of the greatest regular seasons in USL Championship history – including smashing the home wins record with 16 victories in 17 outings – there have been a pair of key departures from Louisville City’s squad, but the perennial power returns the majority of its squad as it looks for a second consecutive Players’ Shield and third Championship title.

Headed on are leading scorer Wilson Harris, transferred to Israeli First Division club Maccabi Petah Tikva during the offseason, and 2024 Championship Young Player of the Year Elijah Wynder, who was transferred to the LA Galaxy for a USL Championship-record fee. Incoming are two notable central midfielders in veteran Jamaican international Kevon Lambert on loan from Real Salt Lake and Australian Zach Duncan, who impressed in Memphis last year. With Ray Serrano, Kyle Adams and Taylor Davila all having signed new contracts this offseason, LouCity continues to look like the team to beat on paper.

Key Returnee – Taylor Davila, midfielder: If Taylor Davila had flown slightly under the radar while earning Championship All-League First Team honors at Rio Grande Valley FC in 2023, there was no such potential as the central midfielder delivered an outstanding first campaign in Louisville. Davila recorded eight goals and seven assists across the regular season and playoffs to earn a second consecutive All-League honor and nomination for Championship Player of the Year, and he’ll continue to be a crucial part of Louisville’s lineup this season.

Key Arrival – Kevon Lambert, midfielder: The Jamaican veteran joins Louisville City on loan from Real Salt Lake with the potential to serve as the holding midfielder in the lineup alongside Davila, or offer a stop-gap option at center back, where he commonly suits up for his country. It will be interesting to see who gets the early opportunities here with Zach Duncan also offering a strong option as the side’s defensive midfielder as well.

Young Player to Watch – Carlos Moguel Jr., midfielder: The LouCity Academy product’s development took a notable hit in the past campaign – he returned to log one assist in 187 minutes of action late in the season – but having signed a new multi-year extension the potential Moguel possesses remains evident. After his fellow Academy grad Elijah Wynder shone last season, this could be the year for Moguel to achieve lift-off.

Key Number – 86: Louisville City FC recorded 86 goals in the Championship regular season, the second-highest total in a regular-season campaign in league history, as eight different players recorded at least five goals in the campaign.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: LouCity was utterly dominant last year because of its ability to tilt the pitch, feast in second-ball situations, and swarm as a connected unit out of a 3-4-3 pressing shape. None of that will change in 2025. Phillip Goodrum, Louisville’s top No. 9, is a gifted scorer, but he’s also a relentless defender that delights in physical challenges. Additions like Zach Duncan are full of the work rate and vertically-oriented verve that this team wants next to Taylor Davila in the pivot.

Arturo Ordóñez, despite being the USL Championship Defender of the Year in 2023, hasn’t received enough acclaim for his importance in Head Coach Danny Cruz’s system. A back line like Louisville’s that pushes toward halfway as a baseline is highly susceptible to counterattacks. It’s Ordóñez’s ability to play like a centerfielder and stem breakaways at the root that makes him so valuable, even if the counting stats look somewhat more pedestrian. He’ll continue to underpin LouCity in the year ahead.

Projected Starting XI (3-4-3): GK – Damian Las; D – Kyle Adams, Arturo Ordonez, Sean Totsch; DM – Amadou Dia, Zach Duncan, Taylor Davila, Aiden McFadden; F – Ray Serrano, Phillip Goodrum, Adrien Perez

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 1st, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Gastόn Maddoni

Venue: Pitbull Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 3-2-29, 11pts, 12th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: N/A

What’s Happened This Offseason?

After the bottom dropped out for Miami FC and its experimental 2024 roster, big changes arrived this offseason. First and foremost, the club entered a partnership with Sports Performance Hub that saw former internationals Sebastian Veron and Dario Sala join the club’s Board of Directors. There are also plans for a new soccer-specific stadium that will become the club’s permanent home in Homestead, Fla.

On the field, the club appointed Gastón Maddoni as its new Head Coach, and the Argentine connection continued with some veteran arrivals including former Portland Timbers duo Sebastian Blanco and Lucas Melano. The club also looked for experience in goal, bringing aboard former United States international Bill Hamid, and there are some notable pieces from the past season set to return including defenders Daltyn Knutson and Nicolas Cardona and midfielder Allen Gavilanes. How it all comes together remains to be seen as the side looks to return to respectability this year.

Key Returnee – Allen Gavilanes, forward: There were few bright spots for Miami on the field last season, but Allen Gavilanes put together a solid effort while putting up five goals and two assists during his first season in the Championship. The attacking playmaker should continue to have an important role to play this season, and with what must be a better structure around him there could be the potential for those numbers to increase and help push Miami in a better direction.

Key Arrival – Bolu Akinyode, midfielder: The number of goals Miami FC conceded in the 2024 campaign was the fundamental flaw to everything that went wrong with the side, and while there’s been an attempt to address the back line with the arrival of center back Tulu and full back Jonathan Ricketts this offseason, getting an experienced head like Bolu Akinyode back in South Florida could be a big help. After a season in which he tried to adapt to center back in El Paso, which didn’t really suit him, returning to his holding midfielder position could help protect Miami’s back line more effectively.

Young Player to Watch – Francisco Bonfiglio, forward: With the club’s pivot to experience in its roster, there aren’t many prospects to be found compared to a year ago. That means 23-year-old Argentine forward Francisco Bonfiglio gets the nod here after most recently being in the organization with Villarreal in Spain having previously seen action in Argentina’s top flight with Club Atlético Tucamán.

Key Number – 60: Miami FC conceded 60 goals in the second half during the 2024 season, more than any club conceded overall otherwise. Oakland Roots SC came in with the second-most goals allowed in the campaign at 57.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Miami is going to be vastly improved in 2025, but the extent of their leap is an open question. Manager Gaston Maddoni’s system is unknown, but he’s got a roster full of bright midfielders that have the potential to run the table. Sebastian Blanco and Lucas Melano, familiar names to American fans thanks to their time in Portland, will toward the front of a presumptive 4-2-3-1, and they’d be best served by freedom of movement across the attacking band.

If the reliability of the new-look offense isn’t assured, improvement at the back is a safer bet. Jonathan Ricketts (a right back) and Tulu (a central defender) are workmanlike if you’re uncharitable and have the chance to completely solidify the right side of Miami’s defense. Bolu Akinyode could play as a No. 6 or center back, but he’s a fan favorite in Florida for a reason. All three go a long way in raising this club’s floor.

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK – Bill Hamid; D – Alejandro Mitrano, Daltyn Knutson, Tulu, Jonathan Ricketts; DM – Bolu Akinyode, Diego Mercado; AM – Lucas Melano, Sebastian Blanco, Allen Gavilanes; F – Francisco Bonfiglio

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 12th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: John Bradford

Venue: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

2024 Regular Season: 13-12-9, 48pts, 8th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

What’s Happened this Offseason?

Having made a successful return to the USL Championship, reaching the postseason before being eliminated in an entertaining tilt with Louisville City FC, North Carolina FC made a later start than most to the offseason build. Since it got moving, though, there is a lot to like about the shape of the roster with the combination of returning players and new arrivals available to Head Coach John Bradford’s squad.

While there have been a couple of notable departures including defender Lamar Batista (Tulsa) and Jacori Hayes, North Carolina looks to have upgraded at both of those positions. Defensively the side has brought back local product Conor Donovan for a second stint after his success in the back line at Sacramento Republic FC and added Trinidad and Tobago international Triston Hodge as a solid fit for the side’s typical three-player back line. The big midfield arrival, meanwhile, is Pedro Dolabella, who shone over the past two seasons at Union Omaha, leading the side to a league title last season and consecutive Players’ Shields in the regular season. With the return of attacking keys Oalex Anderson, Evan Conway and Rodrigo da Costa, North Carolina could be heading in a very positive direction this season.

Key Returnee – Oalex Anderson, forward: The St. Vincent and the Grenadines forward returned to the Championship with aplomb, tying for the club lead with 12 goals in the regular season at a strike rate of a goal every 166.6 minutes – good for seventh among the league’s double-digit scorers. Anderson’s speed on the break has the ability to put opposing defenses on their heels and create space for teammates and he’ll be aiming to have another big campaign this year.

Key Arrival – Pedro Dolabella, midfielder: The Brazilian put up eyepopping numbers with Union Omaha in 2024, recording 16 goals and five assists across all competitions to lead Los Buhos to the Players’ Shield and League One title, but he’s been a consistently strong two-way midfielder so far in his young career. Fitting into the center of midfield alongside someone like Collin Martin should allow Dolabella to have a successful first campaign as he competes in the Championship for the first time.

Young Player to Watch – Adam Luckhurst, forward: The 22-year-old lands remains in North Carolina to start his professional career having recorded 11 goals and two assists in 1,160 minutes for Duke University last fall. Luckhurst may not be high up the depth chart initially with NCFC’s returning talent, but could be a valuable depth piece as the season goes on.

Key Number – 8: North Carolina FC gained only eight points from losing positions compared to dropping 16 points from winning positions in the 2024 regular season, numbers they’ll be aiming to flip around to help push up the standings this season.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: North Carolina’s 3-4-3 was one of the USL’s most consistent systems in 2024, defined by a high back line that compressed space for opposing attacks and by sizzling counterattacking threats like wing back Ezra Armstrong and striker Oalex Anderson. None of that is going away this year. Indeed, John Bradford added extra fire on the wings in the form of Martinique international Patrick Burner and solidified the back line with longtime USL Championship stalwarts Triston Hodge and Conor Donovan.

The biggest add? Pedro Dolabella, arguably League One’s best player two years running. Dolabella could slot into any of the forward spots or work as a hybrid holding midfielder/No. 10 that varies his role by the phase of play. The former Omaha man did it all on his way to a League One title last season and could raise NCFC’s ceiling significantly.

Projected Starting XI (3-4-3): GK – Jake McGuire; D – Triston Hodge, Conor Donovan, Paco Craig; M – Ezra Armstrong, Pedro Dolabella, Collin Martin, Rafael Mentzingen; F – Evan Conway, Oalex Anderson, Rodrigo Da Costa

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 8th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Bob Lilley

Venue: Highmark Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 12-10-12, 48pts, 7th in Eastern Conference 2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

What’s Happened This Offseason?

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC used an impressive second-half surge to maintain its postseason streak, getting across the line with a four-game winning run to end the season, but after an early elimination from the Charleston Battery the regular cycle of the departure of the club’s leading scorer began anew. Coming off a career-best 12 goal season, Edward Kizza left for Indy Eleven, while steady center back Patrick Hogan also headed to the Boys in Blue as a free agent.

This time, however, the Hounds responded in a very different way than the usual promotion from within. Instead, they went out and got Augustine Williams to lead their attacking line, bringing in one of the Championship’s most consistent finishers historically to try and ensure the attacking struggles that afflicted the side through the first half of the season don’t return. Joining Williams is Bertin Jacquesson, who had a solid run on loan from Real Salt Lake late last season, while the side also signed defenders Junior Etou and Illal Osumanu to new multi-year deals to accompany the return of stalwarts Kenardo Forbes, Danny Griffin and Robbie Mertz in midfield.

Key Returnee – Junior Etou, defender: Over his first two seasons with the Hounds, Junior Etou has become one of the key mainstays in the starting lineup for Head Coach Bob Lilley. This past campaign, the 30-year-old delivered an outstanding two-way campaign on the left, leading the club with a +6.88 Goals Added mark while chipping in two goals and three assists while locking down on opponents defensively. Etou was only beaten off the dribble 11 times while winning 29 tackles at a 67.4 percent success rate, and he should be moving into a position where his stellar play at full back starts to get more broadly noticed.

Key Arrival – Augustine Williams, forward: It’s arguable there has never been a free agent signing more notable in Pittsburgh’s USL Championship era than Augustine Williams, who arrives at Highmark Stadium ranked sixth in the league’s regular season history with 76 goals. That includes four seasons with double-digit tallies in the last five years after a season at Indy Eleven in which he bagged 10 goals but also led the side with a +6.62 Goals Added mark. The Sierra Leone international is a classic No. 9 and can use his size to disrupt opposing defenders, but when his confidence is high there are few more consistent finishers in the league.

Young Player to Watch – Charles Ahl, midfielder: The 22-year-old steps into the professional ranks with the Hounds coming off a season in which he was voted the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year at Stetson University as well as earning United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team and a third All-ASUN All-Conference selection. Ahl notched 18 assists for the Hatters during his career as well as four goals and has logged consistent minutes this preseason.

Key Number – 28: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC conceded a league-fewest 28 goals in the regular season as new arrival Eric Dick claimed the Golden Glove with a 0.69 goals-against average and -10.44 Goals Prevented mark over the campaign.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: When Pittsburgh hit their stride last season, they pressed in a 3-4-3, but that shape allowed Robbie Mertz to drop lower on the left while Bertin Jacquesson ventured forth on the right. Why mess with a good thing? With Jacquesson back on a permanent deal and Augustine Williams set to lead the forward line, the Riverhounds ought to go from strength to strength in 2025.

Head Coach Bob Lilley’s teams are impossible to break down in low block, and that won’t change this season. With Eric Dick, the reigning USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year, back in net alongside four familiar faces in the defensive line, it’s safe to assume that Pittsburgh will be among the league’s stingiest defenses yet again.

Projected Starting XI (3-4-3): GK – Eric Dick; D – Luke Biasi, Illal Osumanu, Sean Suber; M – Junior Etou, Danny Griffin, Jackson Walti, Perrin Barnes; F – Robbie Mertz, Augustine Williams, Bertin Jacquesson

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 6th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Khano Smith

Venue: The Stadium at Tidewater Landing

2024 Regular Season: 12-7-15, 51pts, 5th in Eastern Conference

2024 Postseason: Eastern Conference Champions

What Happened this Offseason?

After the confetti stopped falling for the first team to reach the USL Championship Final in its inaugural season in almost a decade, Rhode Island FC got to work on building a squad for its second season that can challenge the best in the Eastern Conference. With most of the club’s key figures set to return – including the forward trio of JJ Williams, Albert Dikwa and Golden Playmaker winner Noah Fuson, the latter signing a new multi-year deal – Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith has gone after potential upgrades that can help the club’s consistency.

Leading the newcomers is Maxi Rodriguez, who earned Championship All-League First Team honors for the first time after logging 10 goals and five assists at Detroit City FC. The central midfielder could add an intriguing wrinkle for RIFC with his ability to join the attack late and on set pieces. There are also some solid potential depth pieces such as Dani Rovira, who returns to the northeast from Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC having previously come through the New England Revolution Academy, and college standout Taimu Okiyoshi, who adds depth after a stellar career at Marshall University.

Key Returnee – JJ Williams, forward: While the center forward was hampered by injury early in the season, once he got going he proved an invaluable part of RIFC’s success in the attacking third. Williams tied for the team-lead with 11 goals and added seven assists to sit tied in goal contributions with Fuson, but his impact might best be expressed in his on-off splits. When Williams was on the field, Rhode Island averaged 1.8 goals per 90 minutes and won 14 of his 30 appearances. When he wasn’t, those numbers dropped to 1.1 goals per 90 minutes while the side won once in eight outings. That’s the sort of impact Williams can have at his best.

Key Arrival – Maxi Rodriguez, midfielder: Over the past four seasons, Maxi Rodriguez became one of the key figures in Detroit City’s rise in the professional ranks, logging 34 goals contributions (23 goals, 11 assists) in 98 appearances for the side in the USL Championship. As a central midfielder, Rodriguez won’t necessarily have to deliver the sort of attacking output he delivered a season ago for Le Rouge, but his creativity in the middle of Rhode Island’s typical 3-5-2 formation alongside Zach Herivaux and Clay Holstad should make for a highly entertaining season.

Young Player to Watch – Cole Dewhurst, defender: A former New England Revolution Academy product, Dewhurst joins RIFC having completed his college career at Providence College where he made 65 starts in 67 career appearances. The 21-year-old center back logged three goals and one assist in the past two seasons, logging 3,340 minutes of action.

Key Number – 15: Rhode Island FC’s 15 draws in the regular season set a USL Championship single-season record as the side dropped 16 points from winning positions in the campaign, above the league average of 13.46 points dropped.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: Head Coach Khano Smith and Rhode Island are tremendous in the way they blend styles together. RIFC is fairly direct from the back and aggressive in the press in order to tilt the pitch, but they’re incredibly patient and short-oriented in the passing game once they take control. JJ Williams encapsulates the same dynamic at the striker spot: he’s a powerhouse on the break, but his size and nous play equally well during settled bouts of possession.

Rhode Island has options defensively. Reprising their playoff setup with Frank Nodarse at right wing back is the most physical setup and maybe the likeliest; Nodarse could also move into central defense to accommodate a more natural wide player. Need an injection of offense? Put Noah Fuson, the league’s reigning assist king, out wide. The variety is remarkable, especially in the hands of a manager like Smith.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): GK – Koke Vegas; D – Hugo Bacharach, Karifa Yao, Grant Stoneman; M – Jojea Kwizera, Zach Herivaux, Clay Holstad, Maxi Rodriguez, Frank Nodarse; F – Noah Fuson, JJ Williams

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 4th, Eastern Conference

Head Coach: Robbie Neilson

Venue: Al Lang Stadium

2024 Regular Season: 14-12-8, 50pts, 6th in Eastern Conference

2024 Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semifinals

What’s Happened This Offseason?

Following the disruption caused by a pair of hurricanes last fall forced the Tampa Bay Rowdies to close the regular season on the road at IMG Academy, things are on track for the perennial Eastern Conference power as it prepares to return to Al Lang Stadium this offseason. When the team returns to action, though, there will be some notable faces absent as well as some familiar ones coming back into the fold as Head Coach Robbie Neilson prepares for his second season in charge.

The most notable departures are standout forward Cal Jennings, who bagged 34 goals in the past two years for the Rowdies before signing this offseason with the Charleston Battery, and goalkeeper Jordan Farr, who was transferred to D.C. United following a bounce-back season between the sticks in his lone campaign in Tampa Bay. As Farr’s replacement there arrives Argentine goalkeeper Nicolas Campisi, who has top-flight experience in his home country, while others like Laurence Wyke, Thomas Vancaeyezeele and Robert Castellanos all return for another stint with the club, which should help shore up the back line after an up-and-down campaign.

Key Returnee – Manuel Arteaga, forward: The Venezuelan forward arrived in Tampa Bay and made an immediate impact for the side, bagging a career-best 18 goals across the regular season and playoffs to lead the team. Arteaga earned All-League honors alongside Cal Jennings, but the question will now be how he fares with Jennings elsewhere and a less experienced supporting cast around him. If Arteaga continues to deliver, he could be in the picture for the Golden Boot.

Key Arrival – Ollie Bassett, midfielder: English midfielder Ollie Bassett established himself as a star in the Canadian Premier League over the past few seasons, earning the CPL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2022 and the Golden Boot in 2023 despite his role as an attacking playmaker. How Bassett links up with the likes of Manuel Arteaga and 2022 Championship Player of the Year Leo Fernandes and the rest of the Rowdies’ attacking contingent could go a long way to determining the club’s potential this season.

Young Player to Watch – Nate Worth, midfielder: The 18-year-old central midfielder made 20 appearances for the Rowdies after his midseason arrival from FC Tulsa and provided some standout moments in 546 minutes of regular season action. The goal will now be for the United States youth international to find more consistent minutes this season in a loaded central midfield corps and continue his ascent toward the next level.

Key Number – 64.26: The Rowdies ranked second in the USL Championship during the regular season with a 64.26 Expected Goals mark but fell well short of that mark in reality, notching only 55 goals for a -9.26 differential between the two numbers.

John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner: While the Rowdies lost a few stars this winter, they’ve become deeper and potentially more versatile entering 2025. Robbie Neilson ran with a 3-5-2 for most of last season, allowing one of his three center midfielders to flex into the front line of the high press or occupy the half-space in possession. That formula ought to remain the same, but additions like midfield maestro Ollie Bassett and athletic forward Woobens Pacius seem purpose-built for the component roles.

Tampa Bay likes for their outside defenders to push upfield, but they lacked the stability to successfully do so in 2024. Between Forrest Lasso getting healthy and three starting-level center backs (Robert Castellanos, Laurence Wyke, and Thomas Vancaeyezeele) making their returns, expect the Rowdies to get that balance right far more often this time around.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): GK – Nicolas Campisi; D – Aaron Guillen, Forrest Lasso, Laurence Wyke; M – Blake Bodily, Daniel Crisostomo, Lewis Hilton, Ollie Bassett, Pacifique Niyongabire; F – Woobens Pacius, Manuel Arteaga

USLChampionship.com Prediction: 5th, Eastern Conference