Did you hear the news? USL1 is breaking scoring records. Photo courtesy of Portland Hearts of Pine
(Editor’s note: The Hearts’ Beat normally publishes the weekly roundup on Tuesdays, but because of news involving the Hearts’ effort to change municipal zoning rules for a new stadium, the story was held until now.)
There are so many interesting stories when it comes to the Portland Hearts of Pine. But it’s important to remember that there are 16 other clubs in USL League One, each with their own narrative that helps explain how their season has gone.
Every Tuesday Today, the Hearts’ Beat will pull together a roundup of the most interesting stories from around the league. Some may have a connection to the Hearts; others will just be information readers should know.
So let’s take a look:
Goals are being scored at an unprecedented rate this season. Collectively, teams in USL League One have scored more total goals than in any previous season. That total is boosted by having the highest number of teams (17 in 2026) in league history.
But the most intriguing number is the average goals per game (gpg) in the league. Initial research showed a gpg rate of 2.98 for 2026 and 2023, but digging a little deeper revealed that the 2023 rate was rounded up from 2.979, while 2026 comes in at 2.982.
That’s the highest gpg rate in the history of the USL1. Of course, we are talking about a difference of 0.003, but hey, a record rate is a record rate. The regular season won’t end until October 24, so this rate will undoubtedly change one way or another.
Why is there so much scoring? It helps that the Charlotte Independence’s high-flying attack broke the league record for total goals (62) in a season. The Independence currently have 63 goals with five games to play.
Portland Sporting Director Ray Saari speculated that because players in higher USL leagues can sign longer, multiyear contracts, some players with a long history in the USL Championship are being pushed down a level or two. He cited Chattanooga’s Omar Hernandez (second in USL1 goals scored with 13) and Charlotte’s Jon Bakero (first in USL1 in assists with 14) as examples of longtime USL talent moving down a league.
“The composition of rosters has changed over the past two to three years in a lot of different ways,” Saari said in an interview during today’s Hearts’ practice. “So you hear those statistics and it’s never just one thing. It’s always a multitude of factors that come into play, but certainly interesting nonetheless.”
Whatever the reason, it’s been an exciting year for goal-scoring in USL1.
Which team is giving up the most goals in the league, you ask? Right now, that’s the Richmond Kickers, who have conceded 53 goals in 26 games. But the New York Cosmos are close behind with 52 goals conceded in 26 games. Portland has conceded 46 goals in 27 games, the fourth most in USL1.
We have a new leader of the USL1 table. Union Omaha took over the top spot and now has a two-point lead over the Charlotte Independence. Charlotte has a game in hand, but Omaha is playing as well as anyone in the league right now. Omaha is 4-0-1 (wins-loss-draw) in its last five while Charlotte is 3-1-1. The two teams have already played each other twice and won’t meet again, unless both go deep into the playoffs.
Fifty players from USL1 and USL Championship have been called up to play for their national teams. The players will represent 29 countries competing in the September/October FIFA international window. Players will participate in matches for the Concacaf Nations League, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Portland’s Mo Mohamed has been called up to play for Somalia. He left the team following last weekend’s action in Chattanooga, heading straight to the Africa after the match. He will be joined by Mohamed Omar of Championship league club Indy Eleven.
Other than the Hearts’ news about the Portland Planning Board discussing the club’s request for a zoning change as part of the plan to build a new stadium, that’s about all from off the pitch around the league.
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