USL League One Off Season Notebook: Pre-Pre Season
Where we're at as teams report to camp in the coming days
Welcome to this week’s USL League One Off Season Notebook, where we review what’s going on in the league as the off season progresses.
Teams will begin pre-season camps in the coming days, and rosters continue to take shape. Still, some teams are much further along in public signing announcements than others.
As a reminder, we’re tracking all of the announcements on our 2026 USL League One Transactions Tracker.
AV Alta
Returning: Joaquin Acuña, Maboumou Alassane, Adam Aoumaich, Jerry Desdunes, Djibril Doumbia, Erick Gonzalez, Miguel Ibarra, Osvaldo Lay, Javier Mariona, Christian Ortiz, Miguel Pajaro, Kaloyan Pehlivanov, Stephen Ramos, Denzil Smith, Jimmy Villalobos
Departing: Emmanuel Alaribe, Ashkanov Apollon, Carlos Ávilez, Lalo Blancas (Monterey Bay), Alexis Cerritos, Sebastian Cruz (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Elijah Martin, Walmer Martinez, Luca Mastrantonio (FC Naples), Harrison Robledo
Since initial announcements, we’ve heard very little from AV Alta’s front office. We do know that the second year club is returning over half of its inaugural roster, and despite the departure of its biggest offensive producers, will have a solid core around which to rebuild.
AC Boise
Inbound: Charlie Adams, Blake Bodily, Jake Crull, Jake Dengler, Javier Garcia, Tumi Moshobane, Nick Moon, Johnathan Ricketts, Omar Yehya
AC Boise signed midfielder and USL Championship veteran Blake Bodily to a three year contract as its first player in franchise history. From there, the 2026 expansion went into overdrive, announcing the addition of fellow USL Championship veterans Charlie Adams, Nick Moon and Jonathan Ricketts.
On top of this, the club added USL League One veterans Jake Crull and Jake Dengler, along with winger Tumi Moshobane and goalkeeper Javier Garcia both of whom bring experience in both leagues. Garcia, it should be noted, set the USL League One record for most penalty saves in a season while backstopping Texoma FC.
Charlotte Independence
Returning: Clay Dimick, Matt Levy
Departing: Tobi Adewole, Paolo Alcócer, Jon Bakero, Christian Chaney, Omar Ciss, Mike DeShields, Djibril Faye, Pedro Fonseca, Nathan Gray, Christopher Jaime, Rafael Jauregui, Amal Knight (Greenville), Souaibou Marou, Tresor Mbuyu, Tumi Moshobane (AC Boise), Bachir Ndiaye (Miami FC), Fabrice Ngah, Javen Romero, Juan David Romero, Anton Sorneson, Nick Spielman (South Georgia Tormenta)
Charlotte went quiet after the initial announcement of departing players, but finally announced the return of captain Clay Dimick on a new contract. The defender will be entering his eighth year with the club, and is the final holdover from the club’s USL Championship days.
We’re still waiting to hear any news on potential options for Jon Bakero, Christopher Jaime, Souaibou Marou, Fabrice Ngah and Javen Romero. For now, we have everyone in the departing bucket until we hear otherwise.
Meanwhile, midfielder Bachir Ndiaye signed with Miami FC in USL Championship, announced just before Christmas; Nick Spielman joined league rivals South Georgia Tormenta; Tumi Moshobane was announced for AC Boise; and Amal Knight is expected to be announced Greenville.
Chattanooga Red Wolves
Returning: Matt Acosta, Matt Bentley, Omar Gomez, Pedro Hernandez, Omar Hernández, Ricardo Jérez, Eric Kinzner, Yanis Lelin, Aaron Lombardi, Greyson Mercer, Josh Ramos, Jason Smith, Ualefi, Wynand Wessels
Inbound: Ropapa Mensah
Departing: Alhassan Alhassan, Jordan Ayimbila, Jonathan Filipe, Owen Green, Kimball Jackson, Toby Jnohope, Michael Knapp, Gharret Morris, Zahir Vasquez, Declan Watters (Sarasota)
We finally got confirmation on the batch of free agents initially listed as “under negotiation” as the club announced the return of Pedro Hernandez, Omar Hernández and Aaron Lombardi on new contracts.
All league defender Declan Watters was the fourth in the list, but the team had to let him go as he received a better offer at Sarasota Paradise.
This week, sources confirmed that fan favorite Ropapa Mensah will be returning to the club after a season in Greenville. The striker spent 2023 and 2024 with Chattanooga, where he scored 21 goals in 46 regular season appearances. With Greenville, he apparently fell victim to an outright purge of the offense after the team as a whole underperformed and missed the playoffs for the first time ever.
Corpus Christi FC
Inbound: none announced
Any day now, we should see a deluge of signing announcements out of Corpus Christi, right? Right!?
Fort Wayne FC
Inbound: Tiago Dias, JP Jordan, Michael Rempel, Reid Sproat
Sporting Director Ollie Gage and Head Coach Mike Avery finally authorized a few signing announcements, but it’s still too early to determine the direction of the club. For now, we know of three first-time professionals, Tiago Dias, Michael Rempel and Reid Sproat. They’re joined by midfielder JP Jordan, who spent his first pro season with Texoma FC.
Dias and Sporat played for Fort Wayne’s USL League Two side for the last few seasons, which at the very least offers fans a small amount of continuity. Sporat is already the club’s all time appearance leader.
Forward Madison
Returning: Derek Gebhard
Inbound: Ryan Carmichael, Turner Humphrey, Geni Kanyane, Enrique Machasen, Collin McCamy, Mark Segbers
Departing: Isaac Angking, Nazeem Bartman (retired), Dean Boltz, Devin Boyce (Greenville), Nico Brown, Jose Carrera-Garcia, Michael Chilaka, Jake Crull (Boise), Jackson Dietrich, Lucca Dourado (South Georgia Tormenta), Owen Finnerty, Juan Galindrez, Chris Garcia, Wallis Lapsley (retired), Garrett McLaughlin (Sarasota), Timmy Mehl, Aiden Mesias (Naples), Eddie Munjoma, John Murphy (Knoxville), Mitch Osmond, Jason Ramos, Bernd Schipmann, Ferrety Sousa, Ereku Temitayo, Damià Viader
“As of right now, Derek [Gebhard] is the only one back,” stated Sporting Director Matt Cairns during a recent interview with Talkin’ Flock.
True to this, so far all subsequent announcements have been inbound players, and numerous 2025 players are signing elsewhere.
We’re not sure we’ve ever seen quite a turnover in USL League One, and fans eagerly await the season starting so they can see what Cairns has put together, and if it works.
Greenville Triumph
Returning: Ivan Agyaakwah, DJ Benton, Zane Bubb, Connor Evans, Brandon Fricke, Evan Lee, Anthony Patti, Tyler Polak, Toby Simms, Seth Torman, Chappa Herrera, Leo Castro
Inbound: Devin Boyce, Amal Knight
Departing: Carlos Anguiano, Pascal Corvino, Michael Gonzalez, Chevone Marsh, Ropapa Mensah (Chattanooga Red Wolves), Rodrigo Robles, Sebastian Velásquez, Ben Zakowski, Gunther Rankenburg, Griffin Tomas, Zeke Soto
Greenville got its coaching staff in order and started trickling out announcements, starting with a two year deal for Devin Boyce. The midfielder rejoins Greenville after spending the last two seasons in Madison.
Sources also confirmed that goalkeeper Amal Knight signed with Greenville for the 2026 season, and at least one player previously announced as departing will be returning on a new contract, along with another former player.
FC Naples
Returning: Dominick Bachstein, Ian Cerro, Julian Cisneros, Lalo Delgado, Andrés Ferrín, Max Glasser, Tony Halterman, Kevin O’Connor, Marc Torrellas
Inbound: Max Broughton, Taylor Gray, Luca Mastrantonio, Aiden Mesias, Gio Miglietti
Departing: Jake Dengler (Boise), Brecc Evans (Portland), Gustavo Fernandes, Ian Garrett, Chris Heckenberg (retired), Karsen Henderlong (Tampa Bay), Jayden Onen, Tyler Pasnik, Luka Prpa, Tomás Ritondale, Joel Serrano, Rodolfo Sulia, Justin Weiss (retired)
FC Naples made a few recent announcements, starting with winger Taylor Gray, who had three assists while at South Georgia Tormenta, despite being a secondary player in the depth chart. Should Naples be looking for value in its 2026 starting 11, it may be his time to shine like he did at Chattanooga FC in 2024.
They also brought in Max Broughton, a young centerback who spent his first professional season with Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2025. Broughton was used sparingly during the first half of the season by the title-winning club, with no minutes after July 26th. He’s one piece of Naples’ forced back-line rebuild after letting all-league defenders Jake Dengler and Brecc Evans walk in free agency. Broughton’s signing was boosted with the addition of veteran center back Luca Mastrantonio.
The club also re-signed Tony Halterman to serve as backup goalkeeper to Lalo Delgado, while also serving as goalkeeping coach; and signed midfielder Aiden Mesias from Forward Madison.
New York Cosmos
Inbound: Braeden Backus, Néstor Cabrera, Derrek Chan, Luis Del Rio, Davide Galazzini, Sebastián Guenzatti, Christian Koffi, Julien Lacher, Marcelo Lage, Jousé Manzano, Davey Mason, Davide Materazzi, Nick Mendonça, Justin Milovanov, Massimo Morabito, Tino Puentes, Darren Sidoel, Ajmeer Spengler, Nick Zielonka
The 2026 expansion side are surprisingly the furthest along of all league clubs when it comes to public signing announcements. While the roster does appear to lean towards the younger side, this is not a group of scrubs by any means.
Highlights from the last few weeks of announcements include Christian Koffi, a 25 year old winger coming off a career season with Huntsville City in 2025, putting up 11 goals and six assists in 20 matches.
We also saw the addition of USL League One veterans Marcelo Lage, Davey Mason and Ajmeer Spengler, along with exciting young prospect Julien Lacher.
While we won’t know if all works until we see this group in action, we’ve been told by several other league coaches that the rest of the league should take this bunch seriously.
One Knoxville
Returning: Jaheim Brown, Abel Caputo, Babacar Diene, Dani Fernandez, Johan Garibay, Mikkel Gøeling, Scott McLeod, Nico Rosamilia, Jordan Skelton, Stavros Zarokostas
Inbound: Finn McRobb, John Murphy, Christopher Tiao
Departing: Gio Calixtro, Mark Doyle (Drogheda United), Sivert Haugli, Callum Johnson (retired), Angelo Kelly (South Georgia Tormenta), Sean Lewis (South Georgia Tormenta), Nic Lemen, Heath Martin, Lucas Meek (TBA in USL League One), Stu Ritchie (Monterey Bay), Kimarni Smith, Kempes Tekiela (Omaha), James Thomas (retired)
Knoxville’s media office finally came out of hibernation over the last week or so. It started with a graphic showing returning players, including goalkeeper Johan Garibay who was previously announced as under negotiation.
We also got announcements of defenders Finn McRobb and Christopher Tiao, and learned from multiple sources that Madison free agent midfielder John Murphy will be joining, along with a former USL League One forward who spent 2025 in MLS NextPro.
In the meantime, free agency has been brutal, as Angelo Kelly and Sean Lewis departed for rivals South Georgia Tormenta, Kempes Tekiela to Union Omaha and Stu Ritchie to Monterey Bay in USL Championship. Lucas Meek is also expected to be announced within USL League One in the coming days.
Portland Hearts of Pine
Returning: Kemali Green, Khalid Hersi, Jaden Jones-Riley, Jay Tee Kamara, Mikey Lopez, Nathan Messer, Mo Mohamed, Hunter Morse, Kash Oladapo, Michael Poon-Angeron, Walter Varela, Masashi Wada, Titus Washington, Ollie Wright
Inbound: Brecc Evans, Prince Mbacké, Zion Scarlett, Emiliano Terzaghi
Departing: Séga Coulibaly, Natty James, Jake Keegan, Noah Kvifte, Patrick Langlois, Azaad Liadi, Colby Quiñones, Mickey Reilly, Evan Southern, Sean Vinberg (Richmond), Shandon Wright
Portland made a splash in free agency, picking up USL League One’s all time leading goal-scorer Emiliano Terzaghi. The numbers over the last few seasons indicate the veteran is likely past his prime, but he still provides a threatening option up front.
The club also signed defender Prince Mbacké, and brought back defender Mo Mohamed on a new contract.
Meanwhile, defender Sean Vinberg signed with the Richmond Kickers in free agency, so far the only departing player to find a home for 2026.
Richmond Kickers
Returning: Hayden Anderson, Dakota Barnathan, Darwin Espinal, Griffin Garnett, Beckett Howell, Landon Johnson, Josh Kirkland, Nils Seufert, James Sneddon
Inbound: Austin Amer, Yann Fillion, Tyler Freeman, Ethan Kos, Sam Layton, Daniel Moore, Mujeeb Murana, Owen O’Malley, Tarik Pannholzer, Sean Vinberg
Departing: Ryan Baer, Adrian Billhardt (Omaha), Matt Bolduc, Klaidi Cela, Simon Fitch, Gui França (Sampaio Corrêa), Pablo Jara, Jonathan Kanagwa, Marcelo Lage (Cosmos), Chandler O’Dwyer (Sarasota), Melvin Pierre-Louis, Maxi Schenfeld, Emiliano Terzaghi (Portland), James Vaughan
Richmond has been on a roll with new signings, recruiting heavily outside the league. But one veteran signing got some attention this week: Sean Vinberg. The defender/midfielder spent 2024 with Central Valley Fuego and 2025 with Portland Hearts of Pine after a career in the German lower leagues between 2018 and 2024.
The club also announced Tyler Freeman, a striker with standout seasons at Loudoun United in USL Championship and Western Suburbs in New Zealand. His time between those clubs saw him get lost among loan outs and coaches likely not invested, with Richmond Head Coach Darren Sawatzky telling us the 23 year old is hungry and ready to launch.
Sarasota Paradise
Inbound: Roberto Berlew, Garrett McLaughlin, Chandler O’Dwyer, Jørgen Pettersen, Sander Roed, Andres Rodriguez, Anderson Rosa, Callum Stretch, Maximus Tainio, Declan Watters
The 2026 expansion side has announced a mix of league outsiders and veterans, the latest being all league defender Declan Watters, and Tormenta standout Callum Stretch. We expect more announcements over the coming weeks, as the signed players have reported to camp as of this week.
South Georgia Tormenta
Returning: Yaniv Bazini, Conor Doyle, Alon Drey, Sam Jones, Justin Malou, Anatolie Prepelita, Keaton Pray
Inbound: Andrew Booth, Lucca Dourado, Angelo Kelly, Sean Lewis, Moses Mensah, Nick Spielman
Departing: Gabriel Alves (Brooklyn), Handwalla Bwana, Gabriel Cabral (Omaha), Taylor Gray (Naples), Oscar Jiménez, Justin Kasanzu, Thabo Nare, Jonathan Nyandjo, Austin Pack (Tampa Bay), Joseph Perez, Makel Rasheed, (Indy Eleven), Jackson Simba, Niall Reid-Stephen (New Mexico), Callum Stretch (Sarasota), Mason Tunbridge (Miami FC), Sebastian Vivas (Dock Sud), Aaron Walker
It’s always an adventure watching Tormenta’s off season moves, this season no exception.
So far, a record five players from the 2025 squad have landed in USL Championship, including fee transfers of Niall Reid-Stephen to New Mexico and Mason Tunbridge to Miami FC. Gabriel Alves also returns to the higher level, signing with Brooklyn, while Austin Pack signed with Tampa Bay and Makel Rasheed with Indy Eleven.
But this by no means moves Tormenta’s 2026 prospects to the bottom. They retained striker Yaniv Bazini and veteran leader Conor Doyle, along with Alon Drey, Sam Jones and defender Anatolie Prepelita. Defender Justin Malou also returns on a permanent basis after his loan to Tormenta from NCFC expired.
They’ll be boosted by Championship veterans Andrew Booth and Moses Mensah, along with league veterans Angelo Kelly, Sean Lewis and Nick Spielman.
Meanwhile, Tormenta somehow snagged Lucca Dourado, who had an outstanding offensive season last year in Madison while on loan from Birmingham.
Spokane Velocity
Returning: Neco Brett, Jack Denton, Collin Fernandez, Luis Gil, Shavon John-Brown, Bryce Meredith, Camron Miller, Lucky Opara, Anuar Peláez, Nil Vinyals, Derek Waldeck, Rocky Wells
Inbound: Joe Gallardo
Departing: Masango Akale, Ryan Bilichuk, Jalen Crisler, David García (Oakland), Ish Jome (retired), Javier Martin, Marky Hernández, Pierre Reedy (Sacramento)
The club announced one inbound signing, midfield playmaker Joe Gallardo. The veteran is coming off a down year plagued by injuries, and it will be interesting to see where he slots in with the likes of Luis Gil and Nil Vinyals. Should Gallardo return to form, and Gil and Vinyals continue theirs, it would be an embarrassment of riches for Spokane’s offense.
Meanwhile, the club also announced they declined options on a group of players, including Masango Akale, Ryan Bilichuk, Jalen Crisler, Javier Martin and Marky Hernández.
Union Omaha
Returning: Mark Bronnik, Pato Botello Faz, Aarón Gómez, Anderson Holt, Ryen Jiba, Brent Kallman, Prosper Kasim, Brandon Knapp, Blake Malone, Chelo Martinez, Rashid Nuhu, Sergio Ors, Sam Owusu, Lawrence Wootton
Inbound: Adrian Billhardt, Dylan Borczak, Younes Boudadi, Gabrial Cabral, Kempes Tekiela
Departing: Dion Acoff (Tampa Bay), Ben Barjolo, Ryan Becher, Joe Gallardo (Spokane), Cole Jensen, Lagos Kunga, Marco Milanese, Charlie Ostrem (Tampa Bay), Stéfano Pinho, Max Schneider (Tampa Bay), Russell Shealy
Omaha brought in another USL Championship caliber player, signing Dylan Borczak from Lexington. Earlier in the holiday season, they also signed striker Kempes Tekiela, who was an integral part of Knoxville’s title winning squad in 2025.
We say this almost every year, but Omaha is an early favorite to challenge for the league title again in 2026.
Westchester SC
Returning: Josh Drack, Andrew Hammersley, Ermin Mačkić, Connor McGlynn, J.C. Obregón, Stephen Payne, Bobby Pierre, Noah Powder, Samory Powder, Rashid Tetteh, Bryan Vasquez
Inbound: Miguel Diaz
Departing: Deshane Beckford, Dane Jacomen, Sebastian Palma
Westchester brought in one new player this week, forward Miguel Diaz. The first time pro has local ties, having played for Westchester Flames in USL League Two last summer.
We’ve heard the remaining unannounced players are on two year deals, so it’s not known why they’re being delayed unless there are transfer moves in the works.
In the meantime, center back Sebastian Palma was announced for Boyacá Chicó in Columbia’s top tier. He was one of the most consistent defenders for the injury riddled defensive squad in 2025.
Texoma FC
More Texoma players are finding homes after the club moved from professional to amateur status for the 2026 season.
Ajmeer Spengler was the biggest name among them, and he’s headed to NY Cosmos, joined by defender Davey Mason.
Goalkeeper Javier Garcia signed with AC Boise after setting the league record for penalty saves in 2025, while midfielder JP Jordan heads to fellow expansion side Fort Wayne.
Meanwhile defenders Angelo Calfo and Preston Kilwien joined USL Championship side Miami FC.
In addition, Solomon Asanté transitioned from player to coach, announced as an assistant for Texoma’s 2026 USL League Two season.
Players Heading to USL Championship
Confirmed:
Dion Acoff, Union Omaha → Tampa Bay Rowdies
Gabriel Alves, South Georgia Tormenta → Brooklyn FC
Lalo Blancas, AV Alta → Monterey Bay FC
Angelo Calfo, Texoma FC → Miami FC
Sebastian Cruz, AV Alta → Tampa Bay Rowdies
David García, Spokane Velocity → Oakland Roots
Karsen Henderlong, FC Naples → Tampa Bay Rowdies
Preston Kilwien, Texoma FC → Miami FC
Bachir Ndiaye, Charlotte Independence → Miami FC
Charlie Ostrem, Union Omaha → Tampa Bay Rowdies
Austin Pack, South Georgia Tormenta → Tampa Bay Rowdies
Makel Rasheed, South Georgia Tormenta → Indy Eleven
Pierre Reedy, Spokane Velocity → Sacramento Republic
Niall Reid-Stephen, South Georgia Tormenta → New Mexico United
Stuart Ritchie, One Knoxville → Monterey Bay
Max Schneider, Union Omaha → Tampa Bay Rowdies
Mason Tunbridge, South Georgia Tormenta → Miami FC
Players Moving from USL Championship to USL League One
Charlie Adams, Colorado Springs Switchbacks → AC Boise
Blake Bodily, Tampa Bay Rowdies → AC Boise
Andrew Booth, FC Tulsa → South Georgia Tormenta
Dylan Borczak, Lexington SC → Union Omaha
Younes Boudadi, Las Vegas Lights → Union Omaha
Max Broughton, Pittsburgh Riverhounds → FC Naples
Djibril Doumbia, New Mexico United → AV Alta
Lucca Dourado, Birmingham Legion → South Georgia Tormenta (on loan to Madison in 2025)
Sebastián Guenzatti, Detroit City → NY Cosmos
Turner Humphrey, Las Vegas Lights → Forward Madison
Ethan Kos, Birmingham Legion → Richmond Kickers
Justin Malou, NCFC → South Georgia Tormenta (on loan to Tormenta in 2025)
Moses Mensah, Birmingham Legion → South Georgia Tormenta
Finn McRobb, Indy Eleven → One Knoxville
Nick Moon, Tampa Bay Rowdies → AC Boise
Mujeeb Murana, Miami FC (2024) → Richmond Kickers (missed 2025 season)
Jonathan Ricketts, Miami FC → AC Boise
Mark Segbers, Charleston Battery → Forward Madison
2025 Retirements
The following 2025 players have announced their retirement from professional soccer during or after the season.
Solomon Asanté, Texoma FC
Nazeem Bartman, Forward Madison
Séga Coulibaly, Portland Hearts of Pine
Chris Heckenberg, FC Naples
Callum Johnson, One Knoxville
Ish Jome, Spokane Velocity
Wallis Lapsley, Forward Madison
Drew Romig, Charlotte Independence
James Thomas, One Knoxville
Justin Weiss, FC Naples
This story up to date as of the time of publication unless correction issued below.
You can track the most up to date signings and known free agents on our USL League One 2026 Transaction Tracker.