Halfway Through the 2016 USL Season, Here Are Your Top 14 Players
June 27, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Wilmington Hammerheads FC News Release
June 26th marked the 14th game in the 2016 USL season, top players from each team have begun to stand out. While the remainder of the season will alter with players and standings, at this point in the season, here are the top 14 players to watch from the eastern conference.
Bethlehem Steel FC- Ryan Richter
Pennsylvania native Ryan Richter has stepped up to provide some much needed leadership from the back for Bethlehem this season, as the club has put together a steady, yet unspectacular campaign. The former Toronto FC player has been an ever-present force in the heart of Bethlehem's defense, playing every minute of every game and captaining his team to a respectable 4-4-4 record through 12 games in the team's first ever season in the USL.
Charleston Battery- Romario Williams
The highlight of Charleston's early season success has undoubtedly been the solid play of 21-year-old Romario Williams. The Jamaican forward got off to a fast start, scoring 6 goals in his first 9 games as the Battery climbed to 4th in the Conference. A former third overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Williams has begun to fulfill his potential and will be hoping to continue his good form throughout the rest of the year.
Charlotte Independence- Jorge Herrera
It has been an up-and-down season for Charlotte, with the team winning 5 out of their first 7 games before going winless in their next five, leaving them mid-table in the Conference. One bright spot so far has been the play of veteran midfielder Jorge Herrera. The experienced Colombian has been playing in Charlotte since 2007, and he leads the team in both goals and assists.
FC Cincinnati- Sean Okoli
Cincinnati has made an impressive start in the USL, and the team has climbed to 3rd place in their inaugural season thanks in large part to 23-year-old forward Sean Okoli. The Wake Forest alumni and Seattle Sounders academy product has notched 7 goals in 12 games, good enough to make him the 2nd highest scorer in the Conference.
FC Montreal- Maxime Crépeau
It's been a disappointing season for Montreal; with the club only picking up 1 win in 12 games, leaving them in last place in the Conference. However, they might still be searching for a win if it weren't for goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. An incredible 10-save performance in the game against the Richmond Kickers in May earned Montreal their first victory of the season. In addition, his form earned him his first senior call-up to the Canadian national team in January.
Harrisburg City Islanders- Paul Wilson
An unspectacular season by the Harrisburg has been highlighted by the performances of attacking midfielder Paul Wilson. The diminutive 22-year-old, signed from Jamaican side Portmore United this March, has scored 4 goals and set up 3 as the Islanders got off to a 4-9-1 start to the year.
Louisville City FC- Jon Chandler Hoffman
Louisville star striker Jon Chandler Hoffman has led the way for his team so far, as they've surged to the top of the Conference table. The UCLA product leads the conference in goals, having fired 10 in 13 games. His best performance came in Louisville's win over Cincinnati in April, in which he completed a hat trick in under 20 minutes, securing his team the 3-2 victory in the process.
New York Red Bulls II- Ryan Meara
The USL's strongest defense this season belongs to the New York, and one of the main reasons for that is the man between the sticks: goalkeeper Ryan Meara. The New York native leads the league in clean sheets, and is third in the league in save percentage, having kept out 18 of the 23 shots he's faced.
Orlando City B- Pierre Da Silva
It's been a breakout season for young star Pierre Da Silva, as the 17-year-old has helped his team to a mid-table position through 14 games. The former United States U-17 international has tallied 4 assists in just 7 starts, tying him for first in the USL. His best performance came in Orlando's game against Charlotte in May, in which he scored once and set up the other goal in his team's eventual 2-1 win.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds- Corey Hertzog
It's been a strange and ultimately disappointing season for Pittsburgh, in which they released their leading scorer Romeo Parkes after he kicked a ball at an opposing player during a game, has been somewhat salvaged by forward Corey Hertzog. The former Vancouver Whitecaps and Orlando man has stepped up since Parkes' release to score 4 times as the team picked up their first 2 wins of the season.
Richmond Kickers- Brian Ownby
Richmond native and University of Virginia alumni Brian Ownby returned to the Richmond this season, having spent one season there on loan from the Houston Dynamo in 2013. The creative midfielder picked up right where he left off, racking up 3 goals and 3 assists as the Kickers have moved to 6th place in the Conference.
Rochester Rhinos- Christian Volesky
One year after scoring 8 goals and leading Rochester to the USL Championship in his first season at the club, Christian Volesky continues to be the main man for the Rhinos, scoring 5 times in 12 games in 2016. However, the club's title defense hasn't gone as they'd hoped, with the team lying in 7th place in the Conference.
Toronto FC II- Raheem Edwards
A fast start to the season by young Canadian Raheem Edwards has been the highlight for Toronto, with the 20-year-old scoring in each of the first 4 games of the season. Since then, however, both he and the team have cooled off, picking up just 5 points since May 11th and leaving the team third bottom in the Conference through 15 games.
Wilmington Hammerheads FC- Bruno Caldini Perone
Brazilian defender Bruno Perone has been the surprise of the season for Wilmington, scoring 4 times to lead the team in goals halfway through the season. Perone, a former English Premier League player with Queens Park Rangers, has started every game and has also been a key part of the defense that has helped Wilmington to a mid-table position in the Conference.
With 14 games under their belt, and 16 remaining, these players to watch will either advance as dominant player, or will be replaced with a stronger teammate. Keep an eye on the USL's Team of the Week to keep track of dominant players and rising stars.
Written by Sam Jarden
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 27, 2016
- New Faces Sprinkled into United Lineup - Phoenix Rising FC
- Halfway Through the 2016 USL Season, Here Are Your Top 14 Players - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Sounders FC 2 Snaps Two-Match Winning Streak in 2-0 Defeat to Swope Park Rangers at Starfire Stadium - Tacoma Defiance
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