USL League One is about two thirds of the way through its 2026 season. So, it’s time to take a look at where all the teams are in their quest for the post-season. The format of the league’s regular season is a football purist’s dream: single table, 17 teams, and a home-and-home schedule. That means a 32-game season. After this weekend most teams have played right around 20 games. And, if things play out as usual, a playoff run over the next couple of months where most of the clubs are fighting for the eight available spots.

The Contenders

“I don't want to be like a fascist dictator
A saint or a sinner, I want to be a winner”
- The Kinks - The Contenders (1970)

Charlotte Independence - WLT: 13-4-3, Pts: 42, GD: +18

The story

Mike Jefferies’ squad continues to grind through opponents. Charlotte’s midfield dominates in the attack which allows its fullbacks, including captain Clay Dimick, to push up and overwhelm opponents’ defenses. Charlotte has scored the most goals in the league and has two Golden Boot contenders at the top of that list. One is the 25-year-old Cameroonian international, Souaibou Marou, and the other is the 23-year-old Honduran, Luis Álvarez, back on loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies. While Marou is a striker, Álvarez is more of an attacking midfielder. Having both of those roles at the top of the goal scoring list is a real indicator about how dangerous Charlotte is.

Down the stretch

Look for Charlotte to solidify their home field advantage in the playoffs as they push for the Player’s Shield.

The lowdown

Troubling for the Charlotte franchise is that their on-field success has not translated to butts in seats. The Independence is the only club in USL League One whose attendance averages in the triple digits

Union Omaha - WLT: 13-5-2, Pts: 41, GD: +12

The story

Death, taxes, and Los Buhos making a run at a league title. Vincenzo Candela’s first full season sees Union Omaha in very familiar territory. The team had troubles early in the season converting match control into goal scoring. The Owls lost a lot of points out-playing their opponents but going behind. Omaha would turn those into draws and sometimes wins but their talent kept them near the top of the table. Three straight clean sheet losses at the end of June was a real concern. Was bad luck becoming bad play? But, Omaha has gone unbeaten since with four wins and a draw as the team’s goal scoring progressed to the mean.

Down the stretch

It’s Union Omaha time. The Owls are gunning for both the Player’s Shield and the league title. Nothing less will do for the organization and their fans.

The lowdown

While Charlotte has two of the top goal scorers, Union Omaha doesn’t have anyone in the top ten. Diego Gutiérrez and Sergio Ors Navarro sit just outside with six goals each. Pato Botello Faz, usually a prime scoring threat, only has one goal but currently leads the Owls in assists. It speaks to the depth of talent on the roster that Omaha does not have to rely on the hot hand of just one or two players.

The Peloton

“Le peloton est regroupé
Camarades et amitié”
- Kraftwerk - Tour de France (1983)

One Knoxville - WLT: 11-5-4, Pts: 37, GD: +12

The story

One Knoxville took the USL League One double in 2025 winning both the Player’s Shield and the league title. The champions grew into a total team last year adding goal scoring prowess to their usual strong possession game which stifled opponents. That high level of play continued as the 2026 season got underway. But, those pre-2025 attacking struggles have returned over the past month. Over their last five matches, One Knox started with three straight losses, then a rough 2-1 win over Sarasota, and, on Saturday, needed a goal late in stoppage to draw Greenville 1-1 at home. The club has the talent to make another run but it’s TBD if this is an ongoing issue or just a midseason rough patch.

Down the stretch

Even with their current struggles, One Knoxville is still sitting third on the table and well-positioned to defend their title. Ian Fuller is more than capable of making adjustments to right the ship. One Knox will be in the playoffs and their style is well-suited for another run no matter their position.

Forward Madison - WLT: 11-5-3, Pts: 36, GD: +18

The story

While they’ve cooled off over their last two matches, Forward Madison vaulted up the league table during a red hot June and July. For all intents and purposes, the Mingos have an expansion side roster with only captain Derek Gebhard returning from 2025. Coach of the Year contender Matt Glaeser’s side languished during the early months but he quickly figured out how to get his talented roster to gel. Madison’s roster is chock full of young MLS-level talent. Northern Irish striker, Ryan Carmichael, is having a career year. Ramon Torres is a central mid that most U.S. squads would love. Defender Kevin Carmichael, midfielder Jackson Castro, and keeper JT Harmes are just three of the slew of excellent signings made by the front office.

Down the stretch

At this point, you’ve got to think that Forward Madison has a real shot at making a run through the playoffs. The technical staff has taken a roster built for the long-term and turned it into one of the better teams in the league during what otherwise would be a rebuilding year. Unless the Mingos fall off the table, they will be a tough out in the playoffs no matter their seeding.

The lowdown

As hard as it is to believe, Ryan Carmichael’s hat trick against the Chattanooga Red Wolves on July 29 was the first ever in Forward Madison history. His 10 goals this season already puts him tied for fourth most in club history. And, Roman Torres’ seven assists already puts him tied for fourth most. He has an outside shot of getting over Gebhard’s top number of 12 this season.

AC Boise - WLT: 10-7-4, Pts: 34, GD: +2

The story

The expansion AC Boise has been a success on and off the pitch. The club launched from the jump in their brand-new soccer specific stadium with record-breaking attendance. On the field, former Lansing Ignite and San Diego Loyal skipper, Nate Miller has built a roster loaded with talent that suits his up-tempo style. Miller brought in familiar faces Blake Bodily and Nick Moon to create one of the best attacking midfield duos in the league. Defensive veterans Jake Dengler and Jacob Crull provide a solid defense to allow Miller’s attack and press to work.

Down the stretch

The yin to AV Alta’s yang (see below), AC Boise has played the second most matches in the league so far and have been somewhat inconsistent. But, unlike AV Alta, AC Boise has been trending upward as the season progresses. Barring a collapse, the first-year Spuds will make the playoffs and would love to lock down a home match at their packed stadium.

The lowdown

You may have noticed the precipitous drop in goal differential from the top four teams starting with AC Boise. But, the USL League One peloton continues to endure with that not really translating (at least for now) to a huge drop in points.

Spokane Velocity - WLT: 10-7-2, Pts: 32, GD: +2

The story

Spokane Velocity has reached the USL League One finals in each of its first two seasons. But, the club has yet to lift the trophy. Head coach Leigh Veidman’s side is a roster full of veteran USL talent he’s cultivated to work his precise, tactical, possession-based scheme. Top notch attacking options like Nil Vinyals, Neco Brett, Luis Gil, and Shavon John-Brown are paired with defensive players Nick Spielman, Simon Fitch, Lucky Opara. Add two of the league’s top keepers in Carlos Merancio and Sean Lewis, Spokane is built to win a title now. The Velocity can be feast or fowl though with a tendency to either smother their opponents and win or give up lots of goals and lose.

Down the stretch

While they are currently sitting sixth in the table, Spokane Velocity has multiple games in hand on the teams immediately above and below them. This club knows what to do come playoff time. But, does the side have enough grit to get them over the top?

The lowdown

Spokane Velocity had a tough run in June and early July losing five out of six matches. They turned that around with three straight wins. But, weather caused two straight postponed East Coast matches. This weekend’s home match saw them unable to keep a surging Corpus Christi from snatching three points in stoppage.

AV Alta - WLT: 8-7-8, Pts: 32, GD: +5

The story

AV Alta is the Jekyll and Hyde of USL League One. Brien Kleiban’s team started the season with four draws and two losses in its opening seven matches. Then the club righted itself by winning six and drawing two. Halfway through their season, Antelope Valley was a solid playoff team. But, July and August have seen that cushion evaporate by only picking up eight points in their last nine games. Somehow their only two wins were to One Knoxville and Fort Wayne where AV Alta scored three goals in both. Recent losses to Richmond, Naples, and, just this past Saturday, a 1-0 loss to the moribund New York Cosmos sees the second-year club looking to drop out of the playoffs.

Down the stretch

While currently in seventh, AV Alta is hanging onto the playoffs by a thread. The team has played the most games in the league. That means the teams around them all have multiple games in hand. Even if AV Alta gets back into shape, it might not be enough if teams around them also get points.

The lowdown

The renaissance of AV Alta’s Jerry Desdunes has been one of the great stories of this season. Desdunes dropped off the U.S. professional radar following his 2022 season with Northern Colorado Hailstorm but he returned to USL League One with AV Alta in 2025. Normally an attacking midfielder, the 25-year-old Haitian has become AV Alta’s talisman at forward in 2026 and is in the race for the Golden Boot.

Chattanooga Red Wolves - WLT: 10-7-1, Pts: 31, GD: +7

The story

The Chattanooga Red Wolves are one of the most unorthodox teams I’ve ever watched play professional soccer. Scott Mackenzie’s hyper-low possession and lightning quick counter style works… somehow. But, sometimes it really doesn’t. Mackenzie’s gameplay eschews the conventional wisdom of “attacking in the final third” for high-quality passes right into the penalty area. That leads to better attacking opportunities which turns into higher percentage of goals to shots. But, that style can struggle against the better attacking teams who are able to take advantage of the amount of possession that CRW gives them. This is especially true if the Red Wolves give up a goal first.

Down the stretch

The Chattanooga Red Wolves may currently be sitting in eighth but they’ve played the least number of games. They have FIVE games in hand with AV Alta who sits one point above them and even three games in hand with a surging Corpus Christi just two points behind them. This past Saturday the Red Wolves clawed back to beat Fort Wayne in an away match while both AV Alta and Spokane lost. That was a big weekend for CRW’s playoff hopes.

Corpus Christi FC - WLT: 7-6-8, Pts: 29, GD: -2

The story

Corpus Christi FC jumped from USL League Two into the pro ranks this season. And, the results showed it. The Sharks went winless in their first 10 matches and sat at the bottom of the table into June. But Éamon Zayed figured out what kinds of pieces he had and put them together to make a sprint up the table. The club’s first-ever win was on June 3 where they scored two goals late in stoppage to come from behind and beat Portland 3-2. Starting with that stunning win, Corpus Christi has won seven, tied 3 and only lost to the Charlotte Independence. Zayed has unlocked the potential of his roster by implementing a vertical attack with a stifling defense. Until Spokane Velocity scored on the Sharks this past Saturday, Corpus Christi had not given up a goal for 435 minutes.

Down the stretch

Éamon Zayed is having a Coach of the Year run with Corpus Christi. The lynchpin of the turnaround may have been the play of the Irish goalkeeper, James Talbot. His veteran play helped the Sharks weather some tougher times and gave the rest of the team the confidence to battle. And, in Blake Bowen, Zayed has found another defender-who-is-really-a-winger to spark his attack. Because of their slow start, Corpus Christi still has a bit of a hill to climb in order to lock in a playoff spot. But, we’ve seen this before from Zayed and the Sharks will be in the mix.

Fort Wayne FC - WLT: 7-7-6, Pts: 27, GD: +2

The story

Like Corpus Christi, Fort Wayne FC made the move up from USL League Two this season. And, like AC Boise, Fort Wayne moved right into a new soccer-specific stadium. Head coach Mike Avery has been with the club since 2020 and that continuity has shown on the pitch. Avery added USL veterans like Bernd Schipmann and James Musa with a group of younger talent. Foremost among them are the 22-year-old midfielder Taig Healy who personifies the fast-paced style of the squad and Ryan Becher, the 6-footer who has slotted in as a classic striker.

Down the stretch

At this point, Fort Wayne FC is the bubble team for the playoffs. They are still within shooting distance but a run of four straight losses have made things difficult. The team has the talent to go on a consistent run, but has been inconsistent like most first-year sides.

The lowdown

Becher’s role will be even more important now that Fort Wayne will have to contend with the loss of their primary goalscorer, Lilian Ricol. Just last week, the 23-year-old center forward was transferred to San Antonio FC for an undisclosed fee. Ricol has scored nine goals over 22 games for Fort Wayne and was named July’s Player of the Month for USL League One

The Pretenders

“Maybe tomorrow, maybe someday”
- The Pretenders - Talk of the Town (1980)

Westchester SC - WLT: 6-10-4, Pts: 22, GD: +2

The story

If Fort Wayne FC is on the bubble then Westchester SC is off the bubble. That doesn’t sound right… Anyway, Westchester is hovering mid-table again much like it did in its inaugural 2025 season. George Gjokaj was named the Westies’ new head coach during the offseason and has brought some improved play. But those haven’t been truly game-changing. It’s a roster full of good, but not great players. Conor McGlynn continues to score goals.

Down the stretch

Westchester SC needs to find another gear to make a playoff run. But, at the moment, it doesn’t feel like that’s something they have available to them. It’s a solid Division III pro squad that could make moves in the offseason to get better for 2027

Portland Hearts of Pine - WLT: 5-8-6, Pts: 21, GD: -4

The story

Last season’s debut darlings are struggling. Portland Hearts of Pine are probably the biggest disappointment of the 2026 season. Everything Bobby Murphy touched in 2025 turned to gold. This season The Hearts are closer to a wooden spoon than a golden trophy. The defense has been a sieve and the offense has sputtered. The front office moves in the offseason have not worked out. Losing grinders like Sean Vinberg in defense and Jake Keegan up front have left the squad somewhat fragile. The biggest difference might be the devastating loss of Masashi Wada to a season-ending leg injury. While Ollie Wright is the rightful focus point of Portland’s attack, Masashi was the engine that kept the motor running.

Down the stretch

The Portland of 2025 was very inconsistent for a good part of that season until Ollie Wright caught fire and The Hearts made a run to the league semifinals. They managed to zoom up the table and snag seventh in the table. They’ll need another special couple of months to do the same.

FC Naples - WLT: 6-12-2, Pts: 20, GD: -11

The story

If Portland Hearts of Pine is the biggest disappointment of 2026, then FC Naples is a solid second. In 2025, Matt Poland, put a squad on the pitch from the jump that was more than competent which belied an expansion team. Naples played a counter-attacking style that flowed and a defense that gave the rest of the league fits. A major part of that was the emergence of striker Karsen Henderlong. Naples easily made the playoffs and followed that up with a run to the semifinals. FCN lost Henderlong along with defenders Brecc Evans and Jack Dengler in the offseason. But the team played well in the early going only losing one of their first seven matches. Then May hit and the wheels fell off. FC Naples have been terrible with just two wins and a whopping 11 losses. The defense has been poor and their attack has disappeared. Poland was let go after a 1-0 loss to the New York Cosmos with assistant, Zak Gordon, named interim head for the rest of the season.

Down the stretch

The crash of FC Naples is probably even more pronounced than that of Portland. This was an organization that, at least on the field, had everything tied down. But, an extremely poor offseason seems to have doomed both the team and Poland. Putting the pieces back together is going to be this off season's priority.

Greenville Triumph - WLT: 5-10-5, Pts: 20, GD: -11

The story

Year one of the Dave Dixon era began with a thud as the need for a rebuild was obvious during a lifeless 2025. Greenville struggled mightily to score goals. Combine that with a bottom four defense, the Triumph has been near the bottom of the standings for all of 2026. But, there has been a light at the end of the tunnel over the past few weeks. A surprise 3-2 win over AC Boise on July 29 has led to the Triumph drawing three and only losing one over their past five. Greenville has given the top teams in the league trouble by defending well.

Down the stretch

Look for Greenville to play the spoiler card as the season moves to the playoffs. And, look for moves this offseason as Dixon rebuilds more into a squad that fits his style of play.

Sarasota Paradise - WLT: 5-12-3, Pts: 18, GD: -14

The story

Sarasota Paradise is the final club of the trio that were in USL League Two last season. Sarasota has a classic, let’s-make-an-expansion-team roster of players you recognize and a bunch you don’t. They feel very vanilla and, as a neutral, lack an identity. The players who have USL experience are not youngsters.

Down the stretch

It’s learning lessons for 2027 and getting ready for the offseason. Sarasota has to figure out what they want to be as a soccer club.

The lowdown

Sarasota’s head coach and technical director, Mika Elovaara, is not just an accomplished soccer coach, he is also a scholar. Elovaara has a PhD in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature from the University of Oulu in Finland. He has edited a book on Star Wars fandom and another on heavy metal fandom called Connecting Metal to Culture: Unity in Disparity.

Richmond Kickers - WLT: 5-11-3, Pts: 18, GD: -17

The story

Sadly, the Darren Sawatsky era of the Richmond Kickers ended with a whimper. Last season’s youth movement didn’t last and the offseason saw Richmond clean house. The Kickers replaced them with talented players but it didn’t seem like there was much overall strategy behind the moves. A tough 2025 bled into 2026 and Richmond languished in the cellar. Sawatsky left on June 15 when Sporting Cascades bought out his contract to become their first head coach. Assistant manager, Brian Ownby, was named interim. His changes have rejuvenated a Kickers attack that was dead last in the league in goals scored. Over a few matches Ownby has adjusted Sawatsky’s long ball game into a more possession-oriented one. That has provided obvious benefits as both possession and play-making has risen.

Down the stretch

Richmond is in true rebuilding territory now. Sawatsky’s last season and a half were supposed to be that but the decisions left the club without a true north star. One of the oldest pro teams in the U.S. has the opportunity to renovate their house and look to a brighter future.

The Wooden Spoon

“So can you picture past the honeymoon
Where you'll beat me with a wooden spoon”
- Roots Manuva - Dreamy Days (2001)

New York Cosmos - WLT: 4-13-2, Pts: 14, GD: -21

The story

It’s not working. The New York Cosmos relaunch in USL was one of the bigger stories this past offseason. And they were coming back to a renovated historic stadium. And they snagged Ajmeer Spengler which promised a fun up-tempo attacking team. But it’s been a lackluster return to pro soccer. Technical issues early on. Relatively small crowds. And a team that looks unprepared on the pitch. The high-scoring offense never materialized in large part because the defense, especially early on, has been really, really bad. In the first couple of months the back line looked completely lost to a point where you would have thought they were an amateur side attempting to keep up with a markedly better team. It’s never easy to successfully launch a lower league pro team in a major metropolitan area. But, there is a disconnect between the name and brand of the Cosmos and a Division III team playing in Paterson, New Jersey.

Down the stretch

If they seriously want to continue to be a relevant professional soccer club, this organization needs to have a really meaningful look in the mirror this offseason. If you are the Cosmos then you can’t do it halfway. If you’re not willing to spend and market and have real swagger like the New York Cosmos then you’re doomed to fail. Paterson is a soccer community with a long history in the game. Whether or not you’re the Cosmos, connecting with that community is paramount. Otherwise you’re another curiosity in the New York metro area.

by Dan Creel