There are twenty-seven teams in the USL, they're all ranked here, and I have no creativity: thus, a column name was born. These are my weekly power rankings featuring write-ups and snide remarks on whichever clubs capture my sprit. If you want more, make sure to check out:
The USL Show, as always. We're live on Tuesdays at 9:00 Eastern and in your podcast queues shortly thereafter. The USL Tactics Show is there as well.
Backheeled, a site covering American soccer where I contribute on all things USL. Subscribe to the Weekly Recap for early access to my weekly column and the best MLS, NWSL, and US national team coverage in the business.
But without further ado, I've got special tiers for the playoffs...
Title Favorites
I'd take these teams over the field.
1.) SAN ANTONIO: Against all odds, San Antonio finally came into a match with a clean bill of health, but they were somewhat off the pace against a surprisingly fluid Orange County side in the closing match of a dream 2022. Conor Maloney was under constant assault against interchange from the OCSC flank, but the centerbacks were at fault for failing to halt a slaloming run in transition to go down 1-0.
Things improved as the game wore on, and I loved what we got out of Cristian Parano. In limited minutes, he rates in the 73rd percentile for passing progressivity, but he's also around the top third for defensive actions and expected assists. Those various skills came together on San Antonio's first goal. Parano defended into his own box, loosed David Loera in transition, and sparked the Dhillon-to-Bailone goal. Of course, the headliner from the prodigal son was his banger within a minute of the second half starting, but there were team elements there as well. Samuel Adeniran, just on, was unflappable on the ball and assisted the goal after manhandling the Orange County pivot. Chances went both ways, Alen Marcina got some fresh faces into the mix, and Jordan Farr stood on his head around the 90th minute to maintain the draw. This was as low-stakes as matches come, and San Antonio was just fine in maintaining their favorite status.
2.) LOUISVILLE: Back-three season is in full swing for Danny Cruz as the playoffs approach, and the style - which we saw a bit in the early part of the year - finally looks composed. There were moments in the previous iterations where the centerbacks just couldn't quite figure out their spacing, and Hartford's underrated attack provided a nice proof of improvement in the last game of the regular season. That same defensive trio also proved bright in launching diagonals into Manny Perez and Amadou Dia as high-flying wingbacks.
Ray Serrano was a constant point of interest. He's in the 71st percentile for Goals Above Replacement and above average in essentially every statistical category, but his versatility on the pitch is my favorite aspect of Serrano's game. Tacoma used him as a wingback, but he's adept as a winger-turned-centerman in the wonky, fluid Louisville system. His deep drop, forward movement to create an overload, and hockey-assist cross helped earn Paolo DelPiccolo's sweet volley to open the scoring.
Ample substitutions, including the re-introduction of Cameron Lancaster, led to a loss of structure and chemistry, and Louisville conceded an equalizer against a Hartford side full of players auditioning for 2023. Still, the first half was the bigger deal, an eventual penalty still led to three points, and this team has a week to sit back, heal up, and get ready for a title shout.
3.) TAMPA BAY: Amidst the drama of the Laurence Wyke suspension and the Rowdies' full-throated appeal, the side slightly changed formational tacts on Wednesday and adopted a 4-1-3-2 of sorts. Leo Fernandes pressed into a proper 4-4-2 in defense, but he took on a free-roaming role in attack with Nicky Law advancing from the pivot into a higher creative position. The result was offensive superiority that narrowed El Paso and opened switches into Jake LaCava but a one-man Lewis Hilton pivot that could be vulnerable in transition.
Still, LaCava, Fernandes, and Sebastian Guenzatti were undeniable. Those diagonals to the Red Bull loanee constantly stretched El Paso, and #11's deep forays furthered the effect. The second goal was illustrative of that trio's magic. Guenzatti dropped into the hole between the lines, LaCava took on more of a forward position, and Fernandes spaced to the left wing from his baseline right-side spot. Moments later, Fernandes was assisting #13 to seal the deal as LaCava fooled everyone with his movement. This Rowdies team is peaking at the perfect moment in attack, and that's going to be a major factor in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay kept a strong lineup going for their wrap-up match against the Baby Bulls, but the big choice was to start star teenager Tate Johnson out wide. Johnson had his hands full in a matchup against Rowdies loanee Jordan Adebayo-Smith, but he came out looking impressive in terms of his work rate and a nice left-footed passing game. Beyond Johnson, the system was that now-typical 4-2-3-1. Guenzatti and Fernandes were utterly fantastic interchanging in the front two, and that dynamic earned the opening goal. Still, Aaron Guillen leaping up into the midfield from centerback kept the sequence going in the first place. It's something Guillen would regularly do in the back threes of years past, and it was refreshing that he still feels liberated to be that bright. Ultimately, this game was never going to be a big challenge, and Tampa Bay made it so.
Real Threats
There's a feasible path for these teams.
4.) MEMPHIS: I was secretly hoping that Phillip Goodrum would do the darn thing and get the Golden Boot; it's just right for someone from a top side to get the award. Superb counterpressure, fluid attacking, and Goodrum being really good at soccer got that cause off to a fast start against Tulsa. Memphis consistently moved at a rip-roaring tempo and played long into the striker and his companions, stretching a foe that recently began to flourish through aggressive wing play.
As the match wore on, the press overwhelmed that youthful Tulsa side. Aaron Molloy and Leston Paul pushed higher than normal for my taste. Paul, especially, was bright. He kept popping up unexpectedly in the right half space, and that tendency earned him an assist on the opener. Later, #23 did much the same and fed Luiz Fernando for the penalty leading to the second goal.
No Golden Boot, but still a big win. For their efforts, Memphis gets Detroit in round one, a team they beat 2-0 last time out in June. #PlayoffPirmann, baby.
5.) NEW MEXICO: There couldn't have been a worse start imaginable for Alex Tambakis than his mishandled own goal on Wednesday. The veteran is a bit down this year and only rates in the 22nd percentile for Goals Saved Above Average and the 40th for save percentage. New Mexico responded brightly enough, pushing Michael Azira up to render the press more of a 4-1-4-1, and the side earned a penalty for their efforts. Still, defensive over-rotation led to a second Galaxy goal; whenever the hosts had a foothold, they tended to throw it away.
The second half was better, and Sergio Rivas was the reason why. He came in as the #10, sitting next to Jerome Kiesewetter in a 4-4-2 press and adding huge amounts of industry and fire in the counterpress. Rivas could also drop in if Harry Swartz or Amando Moreno got adventurous, and that fluidity in defense earned the tying second goal. #33 himself put New Mexico ahead, the new-look front two matched a possessive centerback duo man-to-man in limiting what Los Angeles could generate. Throw out the anomalous start, and an effective 3-1 win looks comfortable, but Zach Prince needs some credit. His team clinched a playoff berth with the win.
On Saturday, I was chuffed to see Rivas back in that second striker role alongside Cristian Nava(!) on the wing. It doesn't seem like Nava will get playoff run-out, but I'm praying for it. The teenage #45 opened the scoring off a long ball, but he was wonderfully bright and trigger-happy in the best way all evening. He supplemented the Rivas-Kiesewetter press nicely, and New Mexico looked wonderfully in control. They doubled up before half and rode a nice Azira pairing with Sam Hamilton in the pivot to a clean defensive match. A trip to Sacramento now awaits, and I think I have to fancy this side's odds.
6.) BIRMINGHAM: Wednesday saw Birmingham's regular season come to a conclusion, and they ended in style by returning Anderson Asiedu to his central home. He or Zach Herivaux would slide between the centerbacks against a two-forward Indy Eleven press, and the end result was often a switch into Marlon's speed against a teenaged opposing right back.
When the dam broke, Enzo Martinez and Juan Agudelo led the charge. Often, the ginger-bearded creator and USMNT veteran would both show into the midfield between Indy's loose line. From there, the duo's interchange as they turned heel and broke completely addled Indy. With Prosper Kasim and Marlon stretching the wings, the Legion had ample space to operate, and it was 2-0 by about the half-hour mark. The second half hardly mattered after a silly red for the Eleven, and that means Protective Stadium will host a playoff game this season. Kudos to Birmingham on that; I hope the venue is rocking next week against Pittsburgh.
7.) SAN DIEGO: The Loyal were firmly ensconced in the second seed and sported a heavily changed and light midfield, but their result against Sacramento on Saturday was still disconcerting. It was 2-0 within minutes as the back three simply couldn't handle a four-man press from the Republic. Lax clearing and passing and a pivot that got completely bowled over didn't help, and I'm not exactly worried, but this isn't what you want to see. Still, hosting the upcoming first round game is the prize for a season well-fought, and I fancy the first-choice eleven for Landon Donovan against almost every team in the league. Brush it off and go again; this'll be forgotten if a playoff run ensues.
I know I've got San Diego a bit low here, but they're for real. The playoffs are a defense-first proposition, and I do doubt that the Loyal can play that style to perfection. Still, an offensive game-breaker can negate that fact if you ask me, and this team has talent like that in spades. From Guido to Vassell to Blake, there are magicians on the San Diego roster. Koke Vegas is the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the league, and I just need to throw that out while we're at it. In the end, I just think this team plays pretty, effective soccer; am I allowed on the bandwagon?
Outside Shots
Everyone here has flaws, but there's upside on one side of the ball or another.
8.) RIO GRANDE VALLEY: Bringing Frank Lopez into the forward line of a hot offense was a brave choice for Wilmer Cabrera, who seemed to have settled into a back three with a more fluid, strikerless system recently. Lopez's inclusion paid dividends. He anchored transition against a heavily changed Monterey team, and it immediately paid off as RGV earned a penalty within five minutes on their second or third counter chance.
The dominance continued with Monterey a man down, and Jonathan Ricketts and Akeem Ward ruled at fullback. Ricketts rates in the 74th percentile for overall value and the 89th for his tackle win rate; Ward is merely top-third for value after stupidly never getting a game in Oakland, but his tackle win rate is in the 90th percentile. Both get up and down the flank with endless verve, and Ricketts assisted the aforementioned Lopez on the game-sealing second goal. Lovely stuff as RGV coasted into the playoffs; they'll get a Switchbacks team in a weird spot a week from now with an upset on the mind.
9.) MIAMI: Anthony Pulis is a pragmatist. Sit in a defensive 4-4-2, spray balls over the wingbacks against an overlap-heavy Detroit, and see what you can get; it's not exactly negative, but Pulis just isn't concerned about a talented Miami team playing pretty soccer. Ahead of a playoff birth in his first year, you can't really blame the gaffer. In build, the side took on their usual back three, and one of the Speedy Williams-Bolu Akinyode pivot would often split wide to try and stretch out the Detroit press. Still, penetration and progressivity were lacking, leading to those hopeful balls aimed at the wingbacks.
The break was ultimately Miam's best route to chances. The opening goal came with a controlled move beyond those high wide players rather than a hopeful burst, and Joaquin Rivas took advantage. It was his fourth goal in five appearances to end the year and a testament to his excellence in that box-to-box left-sided role. The Salvadoran is a bit more defensive than in his Tulsa days, but his timing for a late-arriving run is unparalleled within those strictures.
Miami temporarily rose to fifth with the final victory, one forged by their shelling into the 4-4-2 late-on. This team has the bones of a tough out in a one-off cup format, but the sixth seed is a tough draw. We'll see what gives.
10.) DETROIT: I was happy to see Trevor James go with a fairly first-choice team with fifth place and Tampa Bay/Memphis avoidance on the line, and I think that Antoine Hoppenot and Pato Botello forming the front line was notable. We've seen a lot of Yazeed Matthews recently, and he'll get some playoff time, but Pato is the better fit for my taste. Quibble with Richard Foster and Laye Diop versus alternatives in terms of the "first choice" thing, but that strong squad defended as w ell as ever against Miami FC.
Something that always stands out with Detroit is how their defense is crucial to attack. Michael Bryant so often comes high on the run from left-centerback, and the wingbacks - Deklan Wynne and Foster here - are the pieces that spread the pitch and open things up. Bryant served double duty in this one, man-marking Kyle Murphy on the right and nullifying the best opposing hold-up player.
Aggression led to the opening concession. Bryant positioned himself well against a break, but he ended up in a one-on-three deficit with Connor Rutz, Maxi Rodriguez, and Foster high upfield and the other centerbacks fumbling to cover for them. The right opened up, and Miami took advantage. From then on, the opposition took on a much more defensive mien, and Rodriguez struggled to get involved. Further, Rutz was often caught in no-man's land against the pivot, and that chance to claim fifth dissipated. Nevertheless, this has been a dream first season, and I have a feeling there's a bit more magic to come.
11.) SACRAMENTO: To be frank, I have no idea what to make of Sacramento right now. Their shape, a pseudo-4-2-3-1 wrought of injuries at back and Zeiko Lewis' form finally matching his talent, absolutely took it to San Diego on Saturday. The attacking band was insanely fluid, with Damia Viader starring in the press at left but every other forward liberated to move basically anywhere. Rodrigo Lopez jumped up and down to create and overload. It was a real joy.
Still, everything started with the high press. Maalique Foster pressure forced a rushed clearance to create the opening Lopez goal, and a press-induced turnover courtesy of #8 and #3 led to the buildup into Keko's double-up. It was 3-0 within 15 minutes or so, and the Republic never looked back. Is this real? San Diego was very, very rotated in the middle, but they basically sported a first-choice defense. I trust Sacramento deeply in a tournament format, but New Mexico is hot. The first-round matchup is going to be a barnburner.
Made the Cut
Cool that you're in; I've got some doubts.
12.) COLORADO SPRINGS: In laying an egg against New Mexico on the final day, Colorado Springs palpably missed Hadji Barry for the first time in my estimation. A fierce pressing scheme on the New Mexico side of things was ripe for his shows into the midfield and would've been pinned by his mere presence. Instead, the 4-2-4 was overmanned against the opposing aggression.
Macauley King and Sebastian Anderson are two players I really like, and their partnership between the pivot and right back spot has potential, but they could never quite figure out against left back-turned-winger Daniel Bruce. What's more, King and his various midfield partners were repeatedly overrun when the New Mexico central pair burst up to bring the heat. The back line was good, and Jeff Caldwell was unlucky two allow two goals versus two shots on target, but the verve and electricity that so defined this team are gone.
13.) PITTSBURGH: I'm somewhat scared to say it, but Bob Lilley tinkers too much. I would argue that the Riverhounds had stakes in their final match; avoiding Memphis and Tampa Bay is a big deal, "beat who's in front of us" rhetoric be damned. Still, Lilley played tinkerer as always and put Danny Griffin into the middle of a back three. Coincidentally, a midfield turnover led to the break and corner powering Oakland's first goal.
Still, other choices temper my Lilley take. Angelo Kelly-Rosales killed it as a number eight, and Toby Sims looked even better at right wingback next to Shane Wiedt. That's obviously Alex Dixon's bread and butter, but Sims made a case for himself with precise passing in the final third and an overlap and finish that put the 'Hounds level in the first half. They controlled the run of play from then on, taking a 2-1 edge to fully recover and bearing the heat of a desperate Oakland shape change. The third goal was especially nice, leveraging an unfamiliar back four with waves of runners until Kenardo Forbes cracked it. On to Birmingham!
14.) OAKLAND: Noah Delgado elected to go with Juan Azocar in attack and Memo Diaz at left wingback, an increasingly common alignment that maximizes the former as an offensive weapon. Still, it was Azocar's defensive contributions popping into the center that impressed me the most. I covered those rotations between Azocar the wingback and Darek Formella in a recent Tactics Show, and he and Diaz repeated the trick with aplomb. Of course, I have to shout out an absolutely stunning set piece goal from #18; he's nailed into my all-league side after a 10-goal season as a nominal defender.
On the opposite side, Edgardo Rito and Lindo Mfeka regularly swapped spots in a similar manner, albeit to a lesser level of success. That rotation dragged Charlie Dennis and two-third of the backline wide in support on Pittsburgh's opening goal, freeing a cross that found a fullback in acres of space. A second-half change saw Diaz stay deep with consistency at left and Mikael Johnsen enter in front of a similarly reined-in Rito, steeling the 5-4-1. Still, Oakland just couldn't quite do it in possession, eventually going down 3-1 while subbing into a 4-3-3 of sorts with Chuy Enriquez and Johnny Rodriguez ostensibly trying to solve that problem.
Still, Los Angeles did the job against the lights, and that was enough to get Oakland in. San Diego is a tall task, but the Roots’ width is the best route to beat a narrow Loyal back three. Anything can happen in a cup.
Everyone Else!
Love ya, and see ya in 2023. Unless you're an affiliate...
15.) LAS VEGAS: Mohammed Traore and Morten Bjorshol are two players that any committed readers of this column ought to be familiar with, and Las Vegas is just a flat-out worse defensive team without them. In their stead, the bright Julian Gaines and industrious, midfield-converted Alvaro Quezada took up the fullback spots. Quezada was bright in the press and solid at back, but Gaines' inability to mark opened Los Angeles' opener. Still, the Lights were bright in transition and forged a number of press-driven looks that ended at the feet of Danny Trejo and Cal Jennings. Enrique Duran paired those two in a full-blown 4-4-2 late, desperately needing a win.
The goal never quite came. This team outperformed any possible expectation. I had them firmly in the race for last alongside Monterey, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Danny Trejo would be near the top of any “Most Improved” conversation, and Duran is a legitimate tactician at the defensive end. Kudos for a year well-played.
16.) TULSA: The terrific teen trio of Luca Sowinski, Christopher Pearson, and Angel Bernal started Wednesday's make-up game for FC Tulsa, and Pearson in particular was a rock. He sat in the pivot of a 4-2-4 defense, and he created the turnover behind Tulsa's first goal. That move, of course, ended in a lovely finish for Marcus Epps in his first for the Oklahoman side, and it came off contributions from Rodrigo Da Costa and Dario Suarez. Is this the blueprint for the future of this side? Blair Gavin was in town to take in the action, and he had to have been impressed by the defensive effort and balance especially. Pearson was bright in reading the moments to intervene, as was much of the back line, and Tulsa got a positive result against a desperately motivated Monterey team.
The youth movement continued on Saturday with 21-year-old Academy Contract signee Dallas Odle starting in goal. Odle's teammates left him on an island just minutes in, and Tulsa generally struggled with Memphis' style. 901 FC play long, crash in hard on second balls, and are designed to beat a team like Tulsa with talented but fickle wingers. All in all, build was rather labored in the 4-2-3-1ish shape against Memphis' high press, but that doesn't take away from what we've seen from this group in the last few weeks. I'm really excited to see where things go next season.
17.) EL PASO: With Yuma suspended and Andrew Fox out, John Hutchinson had to rely on out-of-position players across his defense in a crucial rescheduled bout in Tampa Bay to wrap up the campaign on Tuesday. Dylan Mares was also sidelined with a knock, though the Abarca-Calvillo offensive pair proved itself wholly competent against Orange County. The odd mix didn't exactly work out, though there were some transition breaks against a one-man Rowdies defensive midfield succeeded on the strength of Luis Solignac's hold-up and that aforementioned central duo.
Still, Liam Rose and Christopher Garcia were an uncomfortable defensive pair on the right side, allowing the opposing winger to constantly find space and eventually break in for the opening assist. Meanwhile, Abarca pressed high and marked Lewis Hilton man-to-man, leaving Calvillo in the lurch in defense. The Rowdies found a gap behind him to spark the build into their second goal, though misaligned centerback play didn't help.
Later substitutions didn't quite do the trick, and heightened pressure via Sonupe, Zacarias, and the like ultimately got a goal back. Still, the heightened pressure left vulnerabilities, and El Paso ceded another in extra time by way of a Tampa Bay counter. Mere hours later, New Mexico won to eliminate their Southwestern rivals from playoff contention, capping a tumultuous season that saw the Locomotive collapse from the #1 seed in 2021. Hutchinson will get a chance to keep reforming the roster and tactics in his image, and I'll be keeping a keen eye on some of the Lowry legacy players as the offseason rolls in.
Lastly, shout out to Matt Bahner and Richie Ryan on two great careers. Both were Mark Lowry guys in the NASL who moved on to the Locomotive project, and both were under-the-radar but crucial parts of the El Paso spine. I love Ryan in particularly, but both will be missed.
18.) MONTEREY: Having justly protested and delayed the Tulsa game from last Saturday to this most recent Wednesday, Monterey Bay missed Seku Conneh and Hugh Roberts for personal reasons that one can only assume relate to the Laurence Wyke fiasco. The expansion crew gave it a go nevertheless, and their 4-4-1-1 held a pristine offside trap for much of the first half, but they still went down a goal against bright transition thanks to overagression from their fullbacks. Grant Robinson and Morey Doner are brilliant, but they sat too high on that opener when considering Roberts' absence.
Thence, Arun Basuljevic had to enter to the central midfield in the first half and did well breaking the Tulsa lines, but the opposing 4-4-2 was well-balanced between compactness and timely interventions. Blame that defending, Monterey's time off, or something else, but they lacked an ability to activate Sam Gleadle's pace or Chase Boone's power. Frank Yallop and company needed a win to survive in the playoff hunt, but uninspired substitutions and a generally lackadaisical performance led to an ultimate knockout defeat.
Saturday's match was an academic exercise, so Monterey heavily rotated and employed a minimal-defense pivot with Basuljevic and Adrian Rebollar. The real issue was the pairing of Hunter Gorskie and Mobi Fehr at centerback. RGV ate their lunch in transition, leveraging two players that you'd prefer to see in the defensive midfield from the first minute onward. An early red doomed the effort, capping what's been an absolutely rotten few weeks for the brightest story of the late summer. Next season will be better, and being able to make Cardinale Stadium a fortress from week one will be huge for Frank Yallop in year two.
19.) INDY: The Eleven came into their final match having earned 19 points in their last nine outings, a pace that would've put the team in a tight race for the #1 seed had it borne out over all 34 games. That makes you hopeful for next season if anything, but it doesn't ease the general malaise of 2022. The Birmingham game on Wednesday was closer to midseason form as the 4-4-2 press - often more of a 4-3-3 with Solomon Asante up on the right - struggled to contain a good Legion offense. Still, build-up was my main nit. Jared Timmer and Neveal Hackshaw didn't have the progressivity to break Birmingham's lines or the movement to open lanes, and Asante was on an island. That dynamic led to the goal-creating turnover on the side's second concession, though mediocre play from the centerbacks didn't help. It was a letdown of a game overall, but this is merely step one in the Mark Lowry blueprint. There's a foundation laid with a few key players settled in, and the offseason will determine what becomes of it.
Oh, and Neveal Hackshaw needs some boxing lessons.
20.) HARTFORD: Tab Ramos' team knows their strengths, and those come through when Danny Barrera and Ariel Martinez get touches in attack. Facing a Louisville team in an aggressive 5-3-2, the obvious route, then, was to let Yannik Oettl possess to his heart's content and launch inch-perfect long balls into the aforementioned creators. Still, the defense is a persistent issue, ping-ponging all about without a sense of shape or compactness, and when Louisville overloaded Hartford's left side late in the first half, it was suddenly 1-0.
Louisville's substitutions and systematic tweaks changed the game, but Ramos had a masterstroke of his own in introducing Rashawn Dally's physicality on the right wing. He drew tons of attention in the always-aggressive 4-3-3, and his half-space run dragged the hosts out just enough to get Ariel Martinez an equalizer. Once again, the offense was sharp, and the challenge is going to be maintaining that into next year while fixing a defense that lost another match with a late concession.
21.) ORANGE COUNTY: Richard Chaplow rolled out all of his teenagers for the cap on a true disaster of a year, and I appreciated the recongition of the bigger project at Championship Soccer Stadium. Still, it was a blend of that youth and the seasoned veterans that saw Orange County into the lead. Brian Iloski and Korede Osundina paired splendidly on the right side and swapped rather smoothly, and that combo's interchange powered a lovely transition goal after Dillon Powers blew up a counter in the pivot. Yeah, a concession came at the end of the first half that Patrick Rakovsky - the second-worst-rated day-one starter of all goalkeepers this year - should've stopped, and another followed shortly into the second half, but Orange County had some gumption that sorely lacked for much of the midseason doldrums. There's no other team in the USL that I'm as fascinated in when I think ahead to that first wave of player retentions. So many loanees, so many aging players, and so many questions to answer.
22.) PHOENIX: With Greg Hurst out after last week's red card, JJ Williams took up the striker spot in the bog-standard 3-4-2-1, wonky shape and all. Joey Calistri got the nod on the left, continuing to be a Swiss Army knife after all these years. He's subtly in the 76th percentile for Goals Above Replacement this year with nearly 20 appearances! Fancy that.
The front three did quite well to keep a good shape and limit Atlanta's build, and it proved fearsome in the counterpress to boot. There were a few moments of discomfort in build, but as soon as the Rising beat the first wave of the press, it was nothing but joy. Aodhan Quinn - still in the 100th(!) percentile for Goals Above Replacement - and Luis Seijas - enjoy retirement, my man - were so, so bright in the middle and couldn't be dispossessed. Their balance safety and incision let Santi Moar and Arturo Rodriguez rotate really nicely and integrated overlaps on the regular. In the second half, the dominance finally paid off with Seijas advancing on the turn and linking Gabi Torres - what a signing! - to go up. They never looked back. Ultimately, I have no doubt that this is the form Phoenix is going to bring in 2023, and we ought to be afraid.
23.) LOS ANGELES: It's that time of the year, so Galaxy II started 16-year-old forward Paulo Rudisill and 19-year-old defender Axel Essengue against New Mexico on Wednesday. They didn't much suffer for it, forcing a quick own goal and succeeding through Josh Drack down the left with Rudisill pulling the strings. I highlighted Drack last weekend, but his overlapping was crucial in sending the opponents into rotation and opening up space. Still, the Galaxy blew a 2-1 lead in the second half when they came under the gun in the press, and Essengue has to shoulder some of that blame alongside the more experienced Dracks in the squad. For all their talent and moments of pick-you-apart technique, Los Angeles simply can't string together whole games, and this performance was indicative of that fact.
Essengue, Rudisill, and the gang all get a second go against Las Vegas on Saturday with nothing to play for. Los Angeles had the better of the run of play but had a vulnerability to the counter. Still, Essengue and Drack were especially strong beating the opposing press, and the former powered into the Light's half to completely draw the defense out and free the Cameron Dunbar opener. Later, classic Galaxy possessiveness overwhelmed the center, and Rudisill had some bright moments bearing down on the final third. The Galaxy bore late pressure well to hang on for a draw, turning a meaningless game into a last hurrah in eliminating a regional rival from playoff contention.
24.) CHARLESTON: Conor Casey wasn't long for South Carolina, and while he didn't light the world on fire in his first season, I think the decision to let him go is too quick. These "mutually agreed" terminations always raise the specter that the coach in question wanted out, and Casey's MLS track record may have earned him a plushy assistant job somewhere. In terms of the USL campaign that was, his Battery side simply never found an identity. The formation changed from a back four to a back three midway through the campaign, and Casey tried to instill a wholly different, wing-centric pressing system alongside an out-of-nowhere possession-heavy game. Neither plan worked, and along the way the gaffer terribly misused genuine studs like AJ Paterson, Matt Sheldon, and Preston Kilwien. Charleston suffered from some bad luck; they're 25th for conversion rate and 26th for Goals Saved Above Average. Still, that reflects a team that never generated good chances or prevented them going the other way. Like the decision to part ways or not, I'm excited to see where Lee Cohen and his Tampa Bay mindset take this team in the near future.
A key piece in that future, Fidel Barajas, started once again in the season-closing Loudoun match. He and Charlie Asensio were excellent stretching the opposition out, and Barajas' height on the right almost rendered the shape a fluid, Rowdies-esque 4-2-3-1. Eventually, Leland Archer got adventurous down that side, operating as a useful anchor in possession but one that ultimately goaded a shocking Daniel Kuzemka turnover from goal that led to a 1-0 deficit.
Still, transition was bright from there, and I especially liked what Andrew Booth did from box to box. Loudoun did begin to settle down, and their substitutions evened things out; Charleston, to their credit, looked like they gave a hoot despite the coaching situation and a four-game losing streak entering the day. The result was what it was, but I appreciated the effort level all night, and the shape change late-on was refreshing after a lot of Casey dithering this year.
25.) ATLANTA: I was sad to miss out on one more Tristan Trager start for Atlanta as they traveled to take on Phoenix. Injury left him on the sideline to start. In any event, I hope he either gets an MLS nod or ends up leading the line back in the USL Championship in 2023; he and many other in this team are too good for MLS NEXT Pro.
Beyond my league partisanship and Trager love, I did think that Atlanta was bright in the press. They were utterly unable to take the ball off of Phoenix in their own half, but Jonantan Villal spearheaded a front three that bore down on the opposing box with spirit. The effort caused a nice bit of discomfort and forged some half-chances, but it didn't help Two-nited build out from the back while outnumbered or matched by Phoenix.
Nevertheless, the Cobb-Washington-Orji line did a nice job of staying connected and compact, and Atlanta weathered a barrage of shots to take the match to halftime without a goal conceded.
Still, the 3-4-3 left too much room in the pocket behind the forward line, and Phoenix grew more comfortable in build. Their bright central midfielders were able to pick out passes, and Atlanta lost form. When Nicolas Firmino closed to high just before the 60th minute, that let the opposition break through and slice against Jack Collison's poorly-rotating crew. Conway nabbed a goal in a loss, and Trager got the assist off the bench; that's the script. It was a fitting cap to the end of days for this side's USL iteration, I suppose.
26.) LOUDOUN: 15-year-old Matai Akinmboni got a fuller look this week in Loudoun's final match, two days before his birthday. I know people don't like the MLS affiliates, but I'd love for this club to stay in the USL Championship so we can see guys like Akinmboni flourish in the future. Loudoun is always rather balanced in their call-ups to boot. In any event, they had Charleston to wrap up 2022, and it was a bit of a performance to forget. Though Ted Ku-Dipietro had some moments carrying the ball on the counter, the 4-1-4-1 shape and Akinmboni's performance at right back lacked cohesion and quality. Charleston regularly beat Loudoun down the flanks. I did think that Kimarni Smith was bright in front of the youngster, often man-marking Fidel Barajas. He got the opener against the run of play, intercepting a shocking throw from the opposing goalkeeper and converting on his own.
There were some bright moments from Ku-Dipietro as mentioned, and that carried forward as a few subs gave Loudoun a better grounding in attack. Jacob Greene entered around the 60th minute as a full-blown winger, a choice that at once settled down the wide areas and gave an extra kick in attack. Selfishly, I also liked seeing a bit more of a player that really ought to get MLS time in 2023. This was a solid enough end to the year for Greene, Coach Ryan Martin, and this side in an away match, but I do need to reiterate that I'm here for more.
New York Red Bulls II
Listen. This team was bad. We got a coaching change, twice as many players making appearances as points earned, and weekly disfunction. They deserve a tier.
27.) NEW YORK: I fill this space with lots of negativity about the Baby Bulls almost every week, but I really do appreciate that Ibrahim Sekagya settled into an actual system late in the season. It took a while, but the 4-4-2 provided an actual structure for a hilariously young team to learn and grow. Having a framework is paramount. In that vein, I liked the connection between second striker Jonathan Filipe and right winger Jordan Adebayo-Smith a lot. Filipe is solid in the press and has a nice eye on the ball, and Adebayo-Smith fared well in occasionally pressing into a front three against his parent club in Tampa Bay. Make no mistake: this team is bad. They barely had possession, tracked runners sloppily, and deservedly lost. Still, New York Red Bulls II were the crown jewel of the premier developmental pipeline of American soccer in the 2010s, and I like that they're finding a hint of something again.
Commentaires