Is the USL MVP race over? Nick Markanich is making a strong case with about a third of the season still to play. The Charleston winger picked up a goal and assist this week. With 20 total goals in 2024, he’s seven ahead of his next-closest competitor.
The only thing that could stop Markanich right now is a sale, and CD Castellon of Spain’s second division is happy to oblige, per Tom Bogert’s reporting.
Winning the USL Golden Boot increasingly seems like a ticket to a big move. Milan Iloski ended up at Nordsjaelland two years after his 20-plus -plus goal campaign. Sources tell Backheeled that Albert Dikwa turned down MLS offers this winter, but only after Rhode Island dropped a multi-year bag into his lap. What Markanich is doing is at another level entirely, so it’s no wonder he’s got suitors aplenty.
How did the league’s other stars fare this week, and what did that mean in the power rankings? Let’s dig in.
1. Louisville (No change)
Result: 1-0 win at New Mexico
Winning away is never easy, much less against a New Mexico team that leads the USL in attendance and had lost just once in Albuquerque all year heading into the weekend. Louisville, unlike so many other clubs, made it look easy in New Mexico, and they did it by flexing their depth.
In the front line, rookie wing back Jansen Wilson got a rare start next to Wilson Harris atop the LouCity 3-4-3. Wilson’s defensive rotations have been his most impressive aspect this year, but he looked like a natural up top. Between a well-taken rebound goal and six ball recoveries, the 23-year-old did everything you could’ve wanted atop his team’s direct, field-tilting system.
Further back, Kyle Adams was a rock in his first appearance since late June. Adams faced off against the quickest of New Mexico’s attackers down his side and didn’t miss a beat; his positioning was nearly flawless and did wonders to protect the space behind the occasionally flighty Amadou Dia at the left wing back spot.
Throw in the fact that Adrien Perez (two goals, five assists) got back on the field in a midweek friendly after two months out, and the rich are getting richer. Louisville’s beaten the top in the West, and they’ve got the second team in the standings up next week before a grudge match with Charleston. They’re already the presumptive favorite in the USL title race, but running through that part of their schedule would be a major statement.
2. Charleston (+3)
Result: 5-0 win v. Indy
With Jay Chapman coming aboard on loan from Hartford in the place of an injured Aaron Molloy, the Battery faced down a big test against Indy Eleven this Friday.
