The USL Championship’s roster freeze is set for Monday, September 9th, and its imminent arrival sparked a slew of transfer moves this week. In the wake of double-digit ins and outs, bubble teams from across the league (Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Indy, etc.) immediately threw their new additions into the heat of the playoff race.
With seven weeks left to play, the pre-freeze moves could end up having major consequences.
What stood out on the field, and which clubs did the most to improve their title hopes? Let’s dig in.
1. Louisville (No change)
Result: 1-0 win v. Loudoun
Amadou Dia is extremely valuable for Louisville City because he’s unselfish. The veteran wing back was willing to start 2024 as a reserve, but he’s been implacable since regaining his starting spot - and he earned a new contract extension in the process. Against a tight-packed Loudoun team on Friday, Dia’s dual ability to stretch the left flank and get back in transition was LouCity’s linchpin.
The opposing press was set up as a 3-4-1-2, with that man between the lines shimmying from side to side to deny the Louisville pivot. Controlling possession down the middle is rarely this team’s aim, but the narrowness of Aiden McFadden at the right wing back spot played into that trap. Dia’s verve, then, became a primary outlet; he took 61 touches to far outweigh his counterpart on the other flank.
Louisville’s back line was extremely successful at denying counter opportunities all the while.
Because they spent so much time in the final third, Loudoun could have had the opportunity to quickly break into their three forwards after a turnover. High pressure made that difficult, as did Arturo Ordonez’s steps up between the lines and Kyle Adams’ steady one-on-one play against the lightning quick Wesley Leggett. Those two combined for nine recoveries and four tackles, and they gave the rest of the side the opportunity to push up, own the ball, and find their way to yet another home win.
2. Charleston (No change)
Result: 2-1 win v. Sacramento
Graham Smith and Leland Archer have been the USL's best center back pairing in 2024, bar none. Smith is a bit of a better passer, but they aren't a traditional "give and take" duo. Both boast of solid physical tools, especially in the air, and both are hyper-efficient at a technical level. They're the reason Charleston had allowed only 25 goals coming into this weekend.
With Archer out on international duty, the Battery had to shift Nathan DosSantos from left back into central defense next to Smith, and the growing pains were evident early. Charleston struggled to find passes from the defensive line into the pivot, and DosSantos’ rapport with left back Josh Drack - usually his backup - was wanting. Meanwhile, Sacramento opened the scoring on a break down Smith’s side. He usually plays on the left and was wrong-footed covering on the right in Archer’s stead.
The second half of the game was entirely different. The mix of short passes and longer balls over the top forced Sacramento to sit off. Jay Chapman and Chris Allan began to impose themselves as counterpressers and ball retainers; Allan would eventually make a stop at one end, run to the other box, and assist Nick Markanich as a reward for his non-stop excellence. Charleston felt coherent, and they were suddenly able to take the fight to their guests.
In the process, Markanich drew level with the all-time single-season scoring record. Between that and a comeback win, you couldn’t ask for much more.
3. New Mexico (+1)
Result: 1-0 win v. Miami
Playing against Miami is often an exercise in patience, and New Mexico United has that in spades. This team knows they aren’t going to rout a team by six goals, and they won’t chase glory at the expense of their measured structure. A 1-0 margin against Miami may look meek on paper, but it shows Eric Quill and co. trusting the process and refusing to make themselves vulnerable.
Chris Gloster was the avatar of that poise. The only way you’re going to concede against Miami is to allow one of their forwards to break over the top. Most of those moves start with a long pass into the opposition’s left channel. Gloster, the left, back, never let that happen. His comically quiet stat sheet - oh-for-one on tackles, literally no other defensive actions - is a testament to pinpoint positioning.
The former NYCFC man knew when to sit low and dissuade long balls entirely. He also knew when to drive upfield, closing down on outlet passers.
Offensively, New Mexico essentially let Marco Micaletto and Nanan Houssou (119 total touches in 58 minutes apiece) play catch amidst the lax Miami defense until opportunities developed upfield. Most often, breaks began with Greg Hurst roving from the striker spot, drawing defenders his way while a winger made an inside run to replace him.
You can’t argue with the results: the hosts put up more than 2.0 xG because of the sheer volume of chances they generated by sticking to basics. Miami, uh, won’t be the biggest challenge this team faces during the stretch run - two games against Sacramento remain! - but you can only beat what’s in front of you. New Mexico did exactly that this weekend.
4. Sacramento (-1)
Result: 2-1 loss at Charleston
With Damia Viader and Jonathan Ricketts out injured, Sacramento needed quick wing back help, and they found an answer in the loan market. Enter Harvey Neville, who's on-field production has rarely matched his famed last name. Neville was mid-renaissance in MLS Next Pro before the loan, nabbing five assists and averaging 1.6 chances created per 90 minutes in Portland ahead of the Sacramento move.
