Alex Ashton

NEWSLETTER: It's all-league week for me, I run through my hypothetical Best XIs for the USL Championship and USL League One. That, plus some Super League with other odds and ends. 🔗 www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

Rock bottom came sometime over the Summer for FC Naples. Now they're entering the post-season as one of the hottest teams in the league. We dive in to one of the most improbable turnarounds the league has ever seen.

This is our World Series, sickos!

Kicked off a busy week of appearances talking New York Cosmos, USL expansion, pro/rel and more with Cosmos Country this afternoon! Back on @theuslshow.bsky.social tonight at 9 PM ET to talk PLAYOFFS, then hitting up @608soccer.bsky.social tomorrow for some Forward Madison discussion.

🚨PLAYOFF PREVIEW SHOW TONIGHT🚨 9pm ET/6pm PT 🏆 Round One Preview 🛡️ Tampa Bay and Charlotte Easy Favorites? 😭 Who is on Upset Alert 😴 Sleeping Giants Coming In And so much more at 9pm ET/6pm PT!

USL has big ambitions, a new first division men’s league and promotion and relegation on the horizon, but the current state of the local NY-area teams ain’t pretty. Reflecting on the tough seasons and situations of Westchester (RIP?), Brooklyn, the Cosmos

The USL League One regular season is over, with the playoff field coming into focus on the final day. Where do things stand ahead of the postseason? @usltactics.com dives into the latest on each and every League One club. Read ⤵️

Fun week ahead. Keep an eye out for a deep dive on FC Naples' insane turnaround, followed by an interview with Rodeo SC's new Sporting Director MJ Tate, and finally a playoff preview spectacular on Friday.

Multiple sources close to the clubs and within the league have confirmed that Westchester SC and Corpus Christi FC will not be part of USL League One in 2027.

Alex Ashton of @leagueoneupdater.com with an in-depth look at the demise of Westchester and Corpus Christi as professional sides in USL1. It sucks to see teams go on hiatus or fold or whatever they want to call it. Sucks for the players, the staff and fans. leagueoneupdater.com/westchester-...

ALERT: we've made arrangements for the Wooden Spoon to be shipped from the 914th Infantry to @rivercityredarmy.bsky.social

1. Charlotte 2. Omaha 3. ? 4. ? 5. ? 6. Knoxville 7. ? 8. ? --- 15. ? 16. ? 17. ? Happy USL League One decision day to all who celebrate!

USL pro-rel update, with input from pretty much everyone. www.goal.com/en-us/origin...

The awesome @banannaise.bsky.social created this chart on who will win the coveted USL1 Wooden Spoon. Perhaps the most sought-after trophy in all of sports.

🏇 Charlotte's record season leads to Player's Shield 🦉 Is Omaha going to get it together by playoff time? ⁉️ Who will secure the final two home spots? Or the final two seeds? 🥄 We got ourselves an exciting battle for...wooden spoon? 👀 Plus a league rebrand, player retirements and expansion news 👇

NEWS - The #USL today unveiled a new brand identity built around United for Soccer, reflecting the strength of the connected soccer system it has built and its ambition for the future of the game. www.uslsoccer.com/news_article...

After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From AC Boise's versatility to Greenville Triumph's untapped potential, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read ⤵️

Updates since this morning (thanks for the tips): - Space Coast SC updated its timeline to 2029 - Salem City's pro ambitions added under "unknown timeline" - Riverside updated to alive with unknown timeline; the league the group is pursuing is not clear after USL agreement appears to have expired

Portland Hearts of Pine midfielder Mikey Lopez has announced his intention to retire following the conclusion of the 2026 season. He spent the last two with Portland, but saw action with Birmingham Legion, San Antonio, NYCFC, Sporting KC, OKC Energy and Orlando City across his career.

USL LEAGUE ONE EXPANSION REPORT 3 clubs moving forward for 2027, with more setting up for 2028. Plus a group with activity but unknown timelines, and we revisit some older projects to figure out if they're dead or just idle.

After Wednesday's Greenville upset win over Spokane: 🌊 Spokane has just about equal 25% shots at 3rd, 4th or 5th place, and 18% chance of 6th 🟢 Greenville's probability of winning the Wooden Spoon plunges to just 7% 🦘 Richmond's spoon probability shot up to 82%

Speaking of Sporting Cascades, the club announced its second signing today, winger Fabian Straudi. The 25 year old currently plays for Icelandic club Kormákur/Hvöt after an NCAA career with Oregon State and a youth career with German club Werder Bremen 👀

Rodeo SC hires Michael John-Tate as first sporting director #RodeoSC 3rddegree.net/rodeo-sc-hir...

Rodeo SC, much like Sporting Cascades, is taking the careful route with a delay in joining the league, and hiring key sporting staff well in advance. Looking forward to see what they build out over the next 17 months.

NEWSLETTER: I was too lazy to think of topics, so I took your mailbag questions. Thanks to everyone that submitted! www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

We ran some probability models and have our final standing predictions. Who has the best shot at Player's Shield? Hosting in the first round of the playoffs? And is there a chance for Naples or Sarasota to sneak in? *Please do not use this to gamble, ya sickos.

After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From One Knox's changing attack to an underrated star, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read ⤵️

The 2026 season isn't over yet, and our transaction tracker isn't even ready. But we have a 2027 announcement: Sporting Cascades gets ahead of the curve with the announcement of left back Jonathan Robinson. Here's an introduction 👀

Charlotte Independence sit atop the #usl-1 table after dispatching the New York Cosmos 3-0 in Matthews, NC. The Jacks can now clinch the Supporter’s Shield if they win their last two matches of the season.

It's been a while, but we can't end the season without a final USL LEAGUE ONE POWER RANKING. Omaha and Charlotte are neck and neck for the top, while Naples turns things around. Meanwhile, a group of already-eliminated teams look toward the future.

The USL's regular season is nearly over, which means end-of-season awards are around the corner for the Championship and League One 🏆 ▫️ MVP ▫️ Defender ▫️ Goalkeeper ▫️ Young Player ▫️ Coach Who deserves hardware? @usltactics.com dives in ⤵️

It's been a while, but we can't end the season without a final USL LEAGUE ONE POWER RANKING. Omaha and Charlotte are neck and neck for the top, while Naples turns things around. Meanwhile, a group of already-eliminated teams look toward the future.

After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From Sarasota Paradise’s hot streak to to FC Naples’ new dawn, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read ⤵️

Don't Miss: Stuart Ritchie is Rounding Into the Impact Player Monterey Bay FC Hoped They Were Getting When They Signed Him. medium.com/the-union-re...

A new development in the Tormenta Stadium saga: rezoning was recently approved for a “four story, 122 room Woodspring Suites extended stay hotel” to be located on the unfinished parking area. Could be good news, could be bad news 🤷‍♂️

After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From Spokane Velocity's changes to no-quit Corpus Christi, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read 🆓

Ollie Wright Officially Out for Rest of Season www.theblazingmusket.com/ollie-wright...

New York Is Forever Green 💚 The New York Cosmos Newsletter cosmoscountrypodcast.substack.com/p/new-york-i... @nycosmos.bsky.social @greenlegion.bsky.social @leagueoneupdater.com

www.rivercity93.com/are-we-done-...

(Working on other stuff) 83’ Cosmos Goal! Ajmeer Spengler scores from a difficult angle to make it 1-1 late! New York is pushing this half! WSC supporters threw beer and TP at Spengler, he kicked the beer can in midair. 1–1 #NYCosmos #NYCvsWES

USL Odds, September 18 @theuslshow.bsky.social #USL statrobot.substack.com/p/usl-odds-s...

Official statement from Giuseppe Rossi announcing his resignation from the New York Cosmos. “I came to recognize that my perspective and that of ownership were no longer sufficiently aligned, including our approach to communication, decision-making, and the long-term direction of the club.”

USL’s push toward Division One is being accompanied by major changes to how clubs share revenue, employ players and invest for the future.

Working on a fuller piece about Giuseppe Rossi separating from the New York Cosmos, of course this happens on a Friday and a Hudson River Derby day, but as always check out the Cosmos Transfer Tracker on @nysoccerjournal.com: www.nysoccerjournal.com/all-new-york...

When reached for comment about Rossi's exit, the Cosmos issued this statement: “Giuseppe Rossi is no longer with the New York Cosmos. We have no further comment on this personnel matter.” In addition to his front office role, Rossi was announced as a club investor in 2025.

I can't wait to see @ilm-ryan.bsky.social's USL Odds on this matchup 👀

Stories I heard about the Cosmos front office were bad. Agents sent talent to the #NYCosmos, who were turned away for confusing, counter-productive reasons. Giuseppe Rossi never had a clear vision for the USL League One side. I don't think Davide Corti lasts past this year either.

Four on Wednesday alone 🟥

Congratulations to Corpus Christi FC's Éamon Zayed on his 50th win in #USL-1 across the regular season and playoffs. USL-1 All-Time Coaching Wins (Regular Season & Playoffs) 1. Darren Sawatzky - 64 2. John Harkes - 62 3. Mike Jeffries - 61 4. Matt Glaeser - 51 5. Éamon Zayed - 50