A battle of two Eastern titans in Tampa Bay, a duel between Danny Dichio against his old club in Detroit, and… an 11:00 AM Wednesday match in Loudoun? The USL season contains multitudes, ranging from high-profile televised games to the odd fixture designed to accommodate local kids at a soccer camp.
Amidst it all, matchweek 21 was full of interesting results, clever tactical choices, and potentially big transfer moves. How did it all impact the rankings? Let’s dig in.
1. Louisville (No change)
Result: 4-1 win v. Monterey
A lot of teams are good at home. It’s only natural you get an edge on a familiar pitch after a night’s sleep in your own bed. But Louisville? They take home-field advantage to another level. They’ve won nine of 10 games at Lynn Family Stadium this season, and they’re averaging 3.7 goals per game there. This weekend’s 4-1 win over Monterey was as standard as can be, and that’s an incredible status quo.
It was 2-0 by the time seven minutes had passed, and Ray Serrano was firmly in the spotlight.
The 22-year-old would end up creating four chances, but it was his running that did the trick early. The first goal came because of a burst toward the net that distracted Monterey’s right back and opened up a wing back at the far post. The second goal saw Serrano occupy that same defender, thereby opening a clear lane for Wilson Harris to finish. It was a masterclass in motion and a testament to Louisville’s 3-2-5 attack at its best.
The recently-extended Sean Totsch, all 32 years of him, was impressive at the back. Monterey targeted his side with long balls as a priority, hoping to hit a forward or set up a No. 8 for a second ball. Instead, Totsch went six-for-seven on headers and threw in three additional ball recoveries for good measure. He’s implacable in Louisville’s back three. There’s a reason why he’s slated to stay in Kentucky through 2025.
It’s easy to overlook a team that dominates week in and week out. Why is a four-goal outburst exceptional when you average it? We shouldn’t allow ourselves to get numb to this Louisville team. They’re exceptionally well-coached and have exceptional players, and that’s worth appreciating.
2. Tampa Bay (+1)
Result: 4-2 win v. Charleston
Last year, Charleston swept the season series against Tampa Bay in a pair of matches that established their credentials in the East. The Rowdies didn't make it far enough in the postseason to get revenge, making this weekend's match between the two sides the first chance to get even. To get there, Robbie Neilson trusted the process early on and got a superstar turn from Nate Worth to get the job done.
The early stages of the match weren’t pretty. Tampa Bay’s 3-5-2 press was messy, with steps to the ball rarely covered by rotation in behind from the weak side. Possession was a chore as well in the face of a man mark against Lewis Hilton. Charleston went up by two goals in short order as a result of the slow start.
Enter Worth.
The 17-year-old was an absolute pest of a presser, but he combined the vivacity with a knowing sense for when to drop. In possession, Worth anchored the right halfspace and completed 87% of his passes, but it was a stunning free kick in the 87th minute that defined the effort. Worth teed up from the left side of the pitch, right-footed a shot into the top corner, and walked away the match winner in a wonderful feat of skill.
Getting that quality off the bench from anyone is a boon; getting it from a teenager is a financial boon in the making.
