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, and submit questions for my Wednesday Q&A.
The Fan Experience, a Phoenix Rising podcast where I contribute a weekly USL news recap.
Daily Detroit and Mon Goals, where you can hear me discussing Le Rouge and the 'Hounds on Monday.
But without further ado...
Title Contenders
1.) SAN ANTONIO: We don't talk about Mohammed Abu nearly enough. On the year, he's in the 90th percentile for forward passing and the 93rd for expected assists, and he pairs that progression with some of the best holding play you can get out of a USL midfielder. When the fullbacks for San Antonio get high, Abu always bursts to the touchline to cover. He's heady and surprisingly physical for someone at his height, and he's one of so many pieces that make this system tick. Against Las Vegas at midweek, he shored up the middle of a 3-4-3 shape that ostensibly could've been weak given the presence of three pure strikers. Of course, the Dhillon-Patino-Adeniran line is equally sharp as Abu; this team doesn't have holes.
Dhillon's positioning in particular is so interesting. He regularly sat beneath his two peers in the forward line, pairing with Jordy Delem in a wacky, high-left-side 3-5-2. Delem's inclusion speaks to San Antonio's depth, and he fit like a glove in the press against a Los Angeles side that's more than capable in possession. A red card saw San Antonio go down somewhat against the run of play, but a last-minute tying goal let the nine-match unbeaten run continue.
2.) TAMPA BAY: Back in a 4-2-3-1, the Rowdies travelled to the Hoosier State with a fun, funky defensive approach. At left, Jake LaCava pressed high and stayed level with the striker. At right, Sebastian Dalgaard sat much lower in an almost wingback-like role. Indy relies on Ayoze to get high down that Dalgaard side and plays a more conservative player on the opposite flank, so the choice was a wise one from Neill Collins. Dalgaard was excellent as the match wore on, cutting inside with regularity to draw Indy narrow. That let Lewis Hilton spray balls to the now-open flanks with his usual pinpoint accuracy; the same pattern saw Tampa Bay earn the set pieces leading to their opening pair of goals. Hilton and Nicky Law form a tremendous passing pair in the middle; this team is scary good in so many ways.
3.) LOUISVILLE: Brian Ownby has seven goals and four assists on the season, and he's the league leader in value added by Goals Above Replacement. Even so, his impact was heightened for Louisville with Wilson Harris back in the fold. Ownby reclaimed his free-wheeling spot underneath the striker, linking play rather than trying to find the end of moves. He's at home in that spot, providing a soft pair of feet as a creator while still maintaining a scoring threat. Harris’ movement and Ownby’s screening forged the winner off of sloppy set-piece defending, but #14’s effort in a two-forward pressing system made the difference in the second half. Louisville limited El Paso's build-out, got their chance, and rode the usual 4-1-4-1 from thereon out to get the full three points on the road.
4.) SAN DIEGO: A short road trip to Orange County presented a bit of trouble for the Loyal, and the centerback pair started poorly. The hosts targeted rapid-fire balls over the top as San Diego shifted from their attacking back three into their defensive back four, and players like Milan Iloski were able to isolate defenders and score in one-on-one situations. Still, San Diego controlled the run of play and looked sharp as the match wore on. You rarely see the Loyal innovate tactically, but that's because their system just works. Late on, Nick Moon and Evan Conway excelled as wide pressers against a somewhat feeble back three, and Thomas Amang's speed led to an eighth goal in 2022 off a transition chance. This was a somewhat rotated squad, and the performance felt a bit lax, but San Diego has the luxury of being able to coast in an away match to the defending champs. The Loyal are a damn good squad no matter how you slice it.
5.) PITTSBURGH: Robbie Mertz got his first full start after his return to Highmark Stadium, and he helped spark a great defensive performance in which Pittsburgh really didn't give up any killer chances. The defensive 3-4-3 for Pittsburgh is delightfully disciplined. Their high back line always compresses the pitch, with Shane Wiedt gliding especially high down the left. This positioning is dually beneficial in that Wiedt's rangy gait lets him cover for the space left by the high Kenardo Forbes while still rendering him capable of recovering into his own box.
Further ahead, the Cicerone-Dikwa-Mertz nexus that started up top against Tulsa was immaculately organized when closing down. That trio's organization prevented the opposition from building over the high line. Tulsa didn't have the time to be intentional and target lofts into the channel. In this shape with Forbes nominally in the pivot but actually in the #10's spot, Danny Griffin is crucial as a lone holder. He put in four interceptions and a tackle, because Danny Griffin rocks.
The clean sheet capped off a stretch in which the Riverhounds only conceded three goals in July. Bob Lilley's squad continues to look stronger and stronger as they make their case for a triumvirate at the top of the Eastern Conference. I'm not going to deny their status in such a grouping.
On the Cusp
6.) SACRAMENTO: Unless you're living under a rock, you know that Sacramento hosted Sporting Kansas City in a sold-out Open Cup semifinal and pulled off yet another upset. Keko was simply delightful in the front three for the first chunk of the game, taking advantage of a tilted, unbalanced approach to find space. The guests admittedly had the better of the chances, but they lacked the tempo and incision to best a deep-seated 5-4-1 as the game wore on. Danny Vitiello's great night in net saw the Republic to the win, and I'm left wondering if Sacramento can repeat the trick in the Western Conference playoffs.
Deservedly, the Republic played a heavily rotated eleven in an interconference matchup with the Battery. I liked Zeiko Lewis getting a start against his old club, but Sacramento came out slow in a back four system. When Emil Cuello widened his position and camped further up the pitch, Mark Briggs' side gained the ability to break from the back as Charleston had to lower their press. Still, it's safe to say the away game wasn't the priority for the team this week, and that raucous five-goal first half was proof. The style was completely antithetical to Sacramento's style, but they've earned the right to take their foot off the gas pedal.
7.) BIRMINGHAM: There's nothing more fun than a careful, low-driven finish that sneaks into the corner of the net off the post, and Birmingham got just that from Bruno Lapa to kick off the festivities against Loudoun on Wednesday. Coming into the match, Lapa rated in the 94th percentile for expected goals and shots amongst attacking midfielders and in the 90th for passes per 90. He's a high-usage, ball-dominant player for sure, but I was mostly impressed by his runs off the ball even in consideration of that goal. Lapa combined with Enzo Martinez and Marlon in a strikerless formation to great effect, spearheading a false-nine-ish lineup I expected from this Legion side before the Agudelo acquisition.
Still, there are moments against non-awful opponents where the attack is a shade too slow. Juan Agudelo can be a threat when he's playing instinctive soccer, but he has some "black hole" tendencies. When he gets narrow-minded, smart attacking runs go unmet, and Birmingham doesn't get enough of those in general. Guys like Mataeo Bunbury - too hesitant and one-footed in his take-ons - aren't quite the answer. To his credit, Bunbury went six-for-six in his passing and earned a shot; he's going to be something when the technique and pace start to mesh.
High pressure, however, can be the pivot point for the side. The Legion were oddly passive for much of the match, but they got their winner in extra time by doggedly closing in a 2-4-4 style. Aggressive wingers and fullbacks stifled the opposition badly and kept play in the host's half. At the death, Hartford got sloppy when Marlon closed to the goalkeeper, and that was that. We need more of that intentionality from Birmingham after a bit of a letdown to end a still-solid week.
8.) MEMPHIS: Ben Pirmann's side got a bye week, and they might as well have two more with New York and Hartford on the docket. Things get interesting from there, as Memphis heads to Pittsburgh on August 13th, New Mexico on August 17th, and rounds out the week hosting Birmingham. It feels like that three-game run might be make-or-break for Memphis' hopes of hosting a home playoff game? The Riverhounds are especially hot down 901 FC's neck, but the possessive style of this club - Niall Logue and Graham Smith are both in the 91st percentile or better for passing progressivity - matches up well. Birmingham figured out Memphis in their last matchup, so I'll be interested to see how the teams adjust. Fun times ahead.
Playoff Likelies
9.) DETROIT: Everyone and their brother spotlighted Maxi Rodriguez as the star for Detroit City coming into the season, and he hasn't disappointed whatsoever. The numbers say a lot for #21, as he's:
scored five goals and assisted on two more
placed in the 84th percentile for expected goals and the 83rd for expected assists at his position
ranked in the top quarter for passing, progressive passing, and defensive actions
Rodriguez absolutely does it all, and he's utterly crucial to the way in which Le Rouge build from back. When Connor Rutz drops in the midfield, Rodriguez immediately takes on the mantle of a manic presser as well. Lovely, lovely player.
10.) NEW MEXICO: Amando Moreno made the bench and appeared as a sub for New Mexico on the road in Montclair, and I’m so thrilled to see him back in action. What better location to make the comeback than New Jersey in front of his family and against his old club? Long-term injury has kept the attacker on the sidelines, but he dropped five goals in 15ish games in 2021, doing so on top-quarter expected goals and foul drawing. In other words, Moreno is a nimble dribbler and creative finisher, and his guileful panache is an interesting counter to the powerful prowling of Jerome Kiesewetter.
Still, Kiesewetter was a revelation while pursuing those very sorts of runs against New York. The Baby Bulls employed a narrow 4-3-3, and Josh Suggs in particular ate up down the left, constantly linking up with Kiesewetter’s drifts behind the opposing right back. The first goal was exemplary. Austin Yearwood carried past a winger, the narrow central midfielder couldn’t help, and the Yearwood-Suggs threat drew that right back high. Moments later, Kiesewetter was dropping an assist into Neco Brett’s waiting feet. Even with a spate of similar chances, New Mexico couldn't quite convert, and New York found real momentum in the second half. The Baby Bulls have been sneaky competitive in a lot of games, and Zach Prince and company weren't ready for the second-half assertiveness down the middle. Will Seymore did the thing in stoppage time, but that second half raised some red flags.
11.) COLORADO SPRINGS: In a six-day run from Monday to Saturday, the Switchbacks conceded a whopping 10 goals! Getting three games in a single week like that - two of which came on the road - is legitimately brutal, but this team has only two wins since mid-June. Against Phoenix, the Switchbacks struggled to get good looks in. To my eye, they lacked tempo in build, and I actually found Jairo Henriquez to be a slowing presence compared to the instant-read abilities of Zach Zandi in similar positions. Defense was still the overriding problem, and Phoenix's aggressive front three and two high-floating central midfielders ate up against the thin Switchbacks holding group. The net-minding continues to be an issue; both Jeff Caldwell and Christian Herrera are below water for Goals Saved Above Average. Will this side's fortunes improve when the fixture congestion clear? I think so. Is this team actually kinda bad at defending? I'd say yes here too.
12.) EL PASO: Louisville is a devilish matchup for teams of all shapes and sizes, but their sole susceptibility probably comes from the space behind their fullbacks in the high defensive line. Few USL players are as equipped to leverage that weakness than Christiano Francois. Though he has just one goal and one assist in 2022, the winger is in the 98th percentile for crossing and the top quarter for expected assists, and his blazing speed was a reliable outlet for the Locomotive against Louisville on Saturday. When the Haitian got involved, the guests had to overreact to his side and open themselves up to Eric Calvillo and Dylan Mares as late-arriving runners. Still, Louisville put the clamps on in the second half, never allowing those ponderous balls into Francois, and they imposed themselves as a result. I did like a true Gomez-Solignac striking twosome late-on, but sometimes you just get Louisville-d, and El Paso is now clinging to a playoff position.
Muddy Middle
13.) TULSA: I'm in love with the Marcus Epps trade for Tulsa. In a hard-nosed 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with San Antonio last season, Epps racked up six goals and five assists on 98th percentile Goals Above Replacement (GAR). When a 3-5-2 shifts into defensive block, opponents are forced to commit more numbers into the attacking half. After turnovers, your forwards in that "2" front line get ample space in transition, and that's when Epps is at his best. Put him into space, and he can cook anyone on the dribble. For me, as as technical and two-footed as any player in this league. Epps didn't fit in Phoenix's plodding, low-transition style in 2022 and still put up 80th percentile expected assists and GAR. Now, Epps finds himself in a Tulsa team that's San Antonio-lite in terms of tactics. Pair the fit with an escape from a poisonous locker room, and I think we'll see prime Epps sooner rather than later.
I'm excited to see the new signing interact with Tulsa's fullback group; he's lethal getting balls into the channel off of wingbacks playing from their true side. In that context, Sean McFarlane and Noah Powder looked sharp in attack in Pittsburgh at the weekend. The opposition were dependent on Alex Dixon to drive offense down the touchline, but Powder went toe-to-toe with the star initially. Symbolizing Tulsa's added aggression, the Trinidad and Tobago international pressed high into the midfield. However, the 'Hounds overloaded that wing with drifts from their central midfielders and wide forwards, and Tulsa never quite adjusted.
In the end, Donovan Ricketts' side missed that something to break through against Pittsburgh despite a masterful night of movement from Rodrigo Da Costa (seven goals, two assists, 83rd percentile GAR). It was the exact game that cries out for an Epps; bring on Miami with the new star in tow. August 10th can't come soon enough.
14.) LAS VEGAS: Okay, so just to be clear: this team had to delay their game against San Antonio because the stadium lighting system didn't work. Las Vegas Lights. This league, man. Anyways, when Las Vegas is at their best, they counterattack with speed and don't really keep much of the ball. It usually isn't a warning sign when you get 60% of possession, but the alarms were blaring for that very reason when the Lights took on San Antonio on Wednesday. The stars in this side are most effective in transition but lack the incision and tight control to break down set defenses in the final third. Force Danny Trejo to carve through six defenders without much of a head of steam, and he's limited. Cue a 2-0 loss where Las Vegas was roundly outplayed.
The side moved into something like a true 4-4-2 with Jennings and Trejo up top on an away trip to Atlanta. That duo matched a surprise back four from Two-nited, and Enrique Duran deserves credit for coaching on his feet and adopting that shape. Still, narrow Las Vegas struggled to defend against the Atlanta fullbacks. Mohamed Traore (78th percentile value) and Morten Bjorshol (95th) are both solid fullbacks, but neither had the burners to match their opposition, and it created trouble all night. Still, Daniel Crisostomo put in a show in terms of ball carriage, tearing through Atlanta's press to create chances; he's in the top third or so in basically every passing metric, and it showed here. A late goal driven by Crisostomo let the Lights draw, maintaining their playoff position.
15.) LOS ANGELES: Getting Liam Doyle back was a hilariously big deal for Galaxy II this weekend after an absence last week. Doyle (98th percentile passing, 77th defensive actions) is a stalwart who leads the possessive Los Angeles attack, but his composure and smart positioning made sure that the side stayed competitive against San Antonio's league-best press. On more than a few occasions, Doyle smashed that press with a gorgeous ball up the gut. A weird red card for the opposition let Los Angeles take a lead, and brilliant 19-year-old Jonathan Perez (two shots, six crosses, 93% passing accuracy) spearheaded most moves before that point. The late, late concession was crushing, but it probably reflected a game this side didn't deserve to win outright.
16.) PHOENIX: The Marcus Epps experiment sounded great in theory, and I think he would've thrived in the Rising sides of prior seasons, but he couldn't quite get it going in 2022 for Rick Schantz. Solomon Asante was so successful on the right wing cheating out on the break, driving transition, and working off of impressive teammates in settled possession to leverage his dribbling skills. Epps is the best simulacrum of those tendencies that you can get in the USL, but Phoenix changed entirely once Asante left. The fit disappeared, and now it's JJ Williams time. A nine-goal scorer so far this season, Williams involves himself in hold-up play and can serve as an anchor in the mold of Adam Jahn or Rufat Dadasov. I like the addition in a vacuum, but I'm curious to see what the move means for Greg Hurst at the same time. Striker isn't the spot I'd be supplementing for one of the league's leakiest sides, but that's just me.
In a six-pointer against Oakland, Phoenix opted to go with Sivert Haugli as the starting defensive midfielder and got Joey Calistri into the mix as the right back. That shifted Darnell King to the left, and he put in the most staid, no-nonsense defensive shift Phoenix has seen at that spot in 2022. He and the newly-aggressive midfield press started nicely but never got any great chances; on the season, Phoenix is somewhere between 24th and 26th for expected goals per shot depending on the model you're using. Maybe JJ Williams can solve the problem, and maybe the left-sided King deployment solves this team's defensive woes. I'm not necessarily sold.
The Colorado Springs performance, on the other hand, was dominant. JJ Williams held the ball nicely and got his first Rising goal, but Luis Seijas' return to a starting spot was more important. Seijas is in the 95th percentile for expected assists while also providing top-third defensive efficiency, and that two-way solidity let Phoenix thrive against one of the league's most dynamic attacks. For my taste, he must be a nailed starter if this team wants to make a playoff push. I’ll have more on the Darnell King revival in the USL Tactics show as well.
17.) MIAMI: As they take the week off for a bye, Miami continues to surprise me with their total sense of mediocrity. Their expected goal difference is +0.01 per game by my data, and their actual goal difference is a mild plus two. I look at this star-filled roster, and I don't get it. What does stand out for this team is how amazing Connor Sparrow is in net. He's top quarter in every goalkeeping category, headlined by a 90th percentile Goals Saved Above Average. This isn't a bad defense, but Sparrow makes it that much harder to beat, and his contributions are responsible for Miami's relatively comfortable playoff spot right now. A New Mexico-Tulsa double in a four-day span in early August is going to be massive, and maybe they'll continue to see Kyle Murphy click in the process.
18.) MONTEREY: Simon Dawkins was super impressive against Loudoun, dominating the left wing with inch-perfect positioning. He came up against a teenager on the opposing side, but the way in which Dawkins dropped low to address overlaps or shepherd zone entrances was just so heady. The veteran only has one goal and one assist on the season, but those moments of intelligence and the increasing chemistry that Dawkins helps to build are a big deal for Monterey. This team is never a pushover, even as Chase Boone continues to miss out with injury.
19.) OAKLAND: Facing down Phoenix Rising on Wednesday, the Roots felt a shade overmatched. For all their struggles, Phoenix can still be a juggernaut, and an Aodhan Quinn-led midfield trio ate Oakland alive in the center of the pitch against a double pivot; it was simple numbers. Nonetheless, Oakland grew into things when Mikael Johnsen dropped deeper from the forward line, giving Juan Guerra an extra anchor. Breaks started to flow, and the Juan Azocar-Edgardo Rito duo on the flanks imposed itself. No goals came from the joy, but it's another example of how this Roots team is this close to breaking through into something better.
20.) ORANGE COUNTY: A revival in form for Orange County continued early against San Diego, and the high-line, route-one 3-5-2 shape got Milan Iloski and Sean Okoli a few dangerous chances with balls over the top against a shifting Loyal side. Still, that Pedersen-Skendi-Orozco defense is really old and really slow, and the line's height paired with bizarrely blasé forward pressure to let San Diego consistently play behind. Ironically, the solidity didn't improve with more aggressive closing. Orange County sorely lacked for central organization and lost by a 3-2 margin. On that third concession, misaligned central midfielders and a sloppy step from a centerback let San Diego get the winner. It's always one step forward and two steps back for Richard Chaplow this season.
21.) RIO GRANDE VALLEY: Late last season, Jonas Fjeldberg joined up with Wilmer Cabrera's side and got three goals and an assist in just under seven matches of action. The Toros are hoping he can repeat the trick after re-acquiring the forward in a trade for Jesus Vazquez this week. Vazquez wasn't getting time in an already-stout defense, and they lack creativity in the center of the park as well as connection between the forward and midfield lines. Those facts make this a no-brainer, even if Fjedlberg can't recreate his 2021 impact.
Before Fjeldberg could sniff the pitch, Frank Lopez returned to the starting striker spot against Hartford at midweek. I'm a broken record complaining about RGV's inability to penetrate centrally, but Lopez changes that with his gravity. When you have a legitimate number nine in the box - and I'm adamant Lopez qualifies, sub-standard advanced stats be damned - it drags opponents deep and opens up the middle of the pitch. Paired with the pseudo-forward instincts of Christian Pinzon, Lopez helped spearhead a strong offensive performance featuring 30 shots, but this team is incapable of pouring it on; they haven't had a two-goal game since June 11th.
Down Bad
22.) CHARLESTON: Conor Casey's club came out in their now-typical 3-4-3 against Sacramento, but their early dominance of the ball had the shape looking like a 3-2-5 at times. Charlie Asensio was rip-roaring down the left, but the Republic adjusted to gain a foothold. Indeed, the guests pushed their right winger high and directed him to doggedly challenge the Battery in the press. The result? Asensio had to sit low, giving Sacramento time to play over the top. The Battery's defensive line is notoriously slow, and this created trouble. This back three just doesn't work for Preston Kilwien and Leland Archer - the latter is in the 13th percentile for his tackle win rate! Charleston is out of their early-season hole, but I'll be curious to see what becomes of this system and roster as the offseason approaches.
23.) ATLANTA: David Mejia and Raimar both started on the left in an off-kilter, back-four-adjacent look for Jack Collison, and that aggression and guile down the flank carried Atlanta to some lovely attacking plays against ever-narrow Las Vegas. Their interaction with the forward line was rather fun. Darwin Matheus interchanged with both players and actively roved around the final third. When Jackson Conway got on, he tended to drop down in hold-up and let that tandem overlap. Atlanta conceded fairly late and looked worse as the match wore on, but they're always an entertaining watch.
24.) INDY: The Eleven continue to wheel and deal, trading Jonas Fjedlberg for Jesus Vazquez at midweek. Fjedlberg projected as a natural choice at the tip of the Mark Lowry diamond and got some early run, but he fell out of favor when that system sputtered and couldn't find time as a true central midfielder or as a striker ahead of the Arteagas and Pinhos of the world. I've been critical of the Eleven's back line for a lot of 2022, and I like the Vazquez pick-up. He's not the most active intervenor, but he's athletic, good in the air, and strong as a passer. He fits the recent 3-4-3 as well.
Vazquez got the start against Tampa Bay at the Mike on Saturday, but Raul Aguilera stole the show. He took on a sort of "false nine" role - can we call it the Connor Rutz at this point? - in which he pressed like a central striker but dropped into the central midfield in deep block. Aguilera got the opening goal for his efforts. Still, Indy blew the lead before the first half was out, and both concessions began with Ayoze getting beat by a cut inside. Indy compressed from there, leading to havoc and dangerous set pieces as Tampa worked back into the now-open wide areas. Hey, at least Vazquez (six clearances, three interceptions) was a rock?
25.) HARTFORD: Back in the 4-4-1-1 look with Andre Lewis as the agile forward-midfield pivot point, Hartford looked a step off the pace on the road at Rio Grande Valley. Their central midfield, starring Ariel Martinez among others, was terribly overmatched against the Toros' press. Ostensible numerical parity didn't help Hartford to build, and Conor McGlynn can only do so much staving off onrushing foes. Still, he's elite. McGlynn ranks in the 88th percentile or better for defensive actions, defensive actions per foul, shot volume, and passes per 90 amongst central midfield players, but the team around him is lacking even despite the big names. They were outshot 32 to two in Texas but somehow escaped with a draw.
The wingers pressed higher against Birmingham, and Lewis responded by sitting deeper to mark a slew of lethal Legion attackers. He's class on his day, sporting an 85th percentile Goals Above Replacement value alongside top-fifth expected goals and expected assists, but the defensive contributions in front of McGlynn were the important thing on the day. Hartford's offense, meanwhile, remained snakebit. I can't understand why an elite runner like Corey Hertzog isn't getting minutes. Rashawn Dally is preferable to Juan Obregon (two goals, bottom-half percentiles xG and conversion), but the options are uninspiring, and the side rightly gave up a late loser in extra time.
26.) LOUDOUN: On the road in Alabama, Loudoun returned to the 4-2-3-1 for a second straight game. That Wednesday matchup saw Birmingham jump out with aggression, never giving the guests a chance to build through their central defenders as intended. Even on the break, the side lacked connection. Without Ku-Dipietro, Guediri, or Aboukoura, Loudoun sorely lacked for linking play. My real disappointment came in the midfield. Guys like Nicky Downs and Jeremy Garay, while young and full of upside, have to be more composed and more active off the ball. They never let Loudoun establish a foothold, constantly overcommitted in defense, and doomed the side to a decimation.
The side kept that same shape against Monterey at home, and they started nicely, but the issues creeped in as ever. Jacob Greene interfaced poorly with that same troublesome pivot pair, and intelligent veterans on the other side took advantage more often than not. Loudoun bore the heat for 90 minutes, but they gave up a goal late, and deservedly so. Tough week in Virginia, but Sami Guediri got an MLS start for Wayne Rooney!
27.) NEW YORK: Ibrahim Sekagya’s New York lined up in one of the narrowest 4-3-3 shapes I’ve seen when taking on New Mexico, and the choice was utterly baffling. Though they’ve been less wide-ranging in 2022, New Mexico finds immense joy through their wingbacks. With just one wide defender per side, the Baby Bulls were easily overloaded, goaded high by the opposing players and conceding space in the channels. It was 1-0 within ten minutes, and the guests never looked back. I do feel bad for New York in a sense given the injuries to Juan Castillo and Jeremy Rafanello – two of the team’s three minutes-getters – but that doesn’t excuse a misconceived strategy.
Still, Sekagya deserves great credit for his second-half adjustments to equalize. One of the members of the front three regularly dropped into more of a diamond, enabling more width to meet New Mexico. O'Vonte Mullings and Curtis Ofori began to front their opposite numbers and challenged the guests to go over the top. Meanwhile, Steven Sserwadda stepped up and linked wonderfully with Zach Ryan. Win or lose, I want this level of adjustment and excitement from New York in 2022.
Comments