Monday’s news that Mikey Lopez is retiring spread quickly across USL1. But over the past week, there has been plenty of other important stories around the league. Photo courtesy of the Portland Hearts of Pine
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 its own narrative that helps explain how the season has gone.
Every Tuesday, The Hearts’ Beat will pull together a roundup of the most intriguing 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!
With a week to spare, the Charlotte Independence clinched the Players’ Shield as the top team in USL1. Charlotte (20-5-6) shut out the Greenville Triumph by a 3-0 score.
From the match report: Not only did Saturday signify club history, but men’s professional soccer history for the Queen City – the Independence become the first men’s professional soccer team since 1981 to win a trophy. With the victory, head coach Mike Jeffries has now won 65 USL League One matches, making him the winningest manager in league history.
Earlier this month, Union Omaha (19-8-4) had taken over first place, but since then, Charlotte has stormed back. Meanwhile, Omaha has faltered, losing two straight to cede the title to the Independence. Charlotte now will play all of its playoff matches at home, where it has a sterling 14-1-1 record. Omaha has clinched second place.
Charlotte won that match against Greenville on the foot of Souaibou Marou, who scored all three of the Independence’s goals. He now has 18 – giving him a two-goal lead in the Golden Boot race while also setting a new Charlotte Independence single-season record.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the final weekend of the regular season is now the battle to host an opening-round playoff game. Four clubs are vying for third and fourth place, and all won last weekend’s matches. But only one of them - the Spokane Velocity - has two matches remaining.
Home playoff matches are big deals beyond the home-field advantage they offer. Hosting a USL League One playoff match provides a vital financial lifeline for lower-division clubs, allowing them to keep crucial local revenue from spikes in ticket sales, concessions and merchandise while avoiding heavy postseason travel expenses.
Here’s how the clubs’ seasons conclude:
Forward Madison FC host Omaha
Athletic Club Boise host Fort Wayne
One Knoxville SC play at New York Cosmos
Spokane Velocity play at New York Cosmos and at FC Naples
The final race for the playoffs entails Fort Wayne attempting to hold off Naples. Fort Wayne has a five-point lead, but Naples has two matches remaining (at Sarasota, home vs. Spokane). As shown above, Fort Wayne finishes at Boise.
Naples has been charging hard with four wins in its last five matches, but the hot streak might be a little too late.
Midfielder Kevin O’Connor said: “We are going into games expecting again rather than hoping. We have worked hard, and the rewards are coming.”
USL1 released its weekly power rankings. Portland dropped a spot to 15th.
Here’s the blurb for the Hearts: Best wishes to Mikey Lopez as he announces his retirement from professional soccer. A great ambassador for the sport, and he’ll continue to make an impact from here.
USL1 has also published an interesting story about former Omaha coach Dominic Casciato finding success in the USL Championship.
Read more here: Having previously led Union Omaha to USL League One Players’ Shield titles in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the 39-year-old became the first Head Coach in the USL’s modern era to lead clubs to regular season crowns in both leagues.
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