The midway point of the USL League One season lands on a different date for every team, but now that almost everyone has made it to 17 games the time is upon us to update the top of the L1 player rankings. 608 Soccer highlights the top 10 performers in League One up to this point, with a surprise last-chance-qualifier after the games on Wednesday, July 29.
1. Connor McGlynn | Defensive Midfielder | Westchester SC
Connor McGlynn has been having a standout season as Westchester SC’s captain. Only one other player has scored nine goals in the league, and McGlynn’s highlight reel is among the best in the league, which is shocking considering he’s a defensive midfielder. He scored an off-the-post overhead against Fort Wayne (beating another member of this list), a chest to foot thunderbolt and a couple late, arriving cutback goals that are more fitting for a number 6. He passes with an 87% success rate and wins over 55% of his duels. McGlynn will be a target of European or Championship sides, especially if Westchester can’t make it above the playoff line.
2. Luis Alvarez | Attacking Midfielder | Charlotte Independence
Luis Alvarez was sold to Tampa Bay Rowdies, but he’s been loaned back to Charlotte, much to the dismay of the rest of League One. He’s the other guy who’s scored nine goals, including seven from open play, and has two braces to his name so far. He plays behind Charlotte’s forwards, and has served them four assists. He’s in the 92nd percentile of chances created, and he’s the most dangerous player in the league cutting in from the left wing and ripping a right footed curler. He’s also capable of tidy finishes inside the box as well. Alvarez is a leading League 1 MVP candidate.
3. Taig Healy | Attacking Midfielder | Fort Wayne FC
Healy, a League One rookie, doesn’t look like he’ll be sticking around much longer. The 22-year-old from New Hampshire is in Fort Wayne after a College Cup final appearance for NC State, and he’s just one off the Golden Boot lead at the midpoint of the season. More of a midfielder than a forward, Healy picks passes that not many League One players see. He also has the luxury of playing in front of Fort Wayne’s stout defense, so he can take up attacking positions while out of possession, igniting counter attacks or finishing them himself.
4. Suiabou Marou | Striker | Charlotte Independence
Souaibou Marou is the best classic number 9 in the league so far this season. He’s a striker’s striker, always making a run to score or attacking a ball into the box. He has seven league goals and spearheads Charlotte’s league-best attack (38 goals in league play). He also scored against the best center back in the league. His seven goals include zero penalty goals, putting him second only behind Healy in that category. Marou is also one of the best headers of the ball from the striker position this season, and he’s not afraid to wrestle with anyone.
5. Jerry Desdunes | Striker | AV Alta
Jerry Desdunes is the focal point of Alta’s attack, and is a big reason they’ve been able to turn their season around. His free kick goal helped Alta take down One Knox in their biggest win of the season. Desdunes is not a target man; he’ll drop deep to pick up the ball or make runs into central positions to set up the final pass or finish a move. He’s often Alta’s key in breaking down low blocks, and is able to pull defenders out of possession, absorb pressure and get the ball away to a teammate for a goal.
6. JT Harms | Goalkeeper | Forward Madison
JT Harms is fearless in the net at Breese Stevens Field. His Forward Madison have conceded a league-low 15 goals, and Harms has been between the sticks for every league match so far for the Flamingos. Harms doesn’t dominate with size, but his communication, diving and anticipation have stopped countless shots. His saves against Sarasota, Spokane and Naples were explosive, and have the Mingos sneaking into the title race.
7. Ajmeer Spengler | Attacking Midfielder | New York Cosmos
Ajmeer Spengler is the lone bright spot for New York Cosmos this season, and it will be up to him to keep them away from an inaugural wooden spoon (the prize given to the team who finishes in last place). The springy winger/midfielder has contributed six goals and six assists, and caused opponents plenty of headaches with his pressing and dueling. Spengler, whose first wooden spoon came at Texoma last season, recorded one of the league’s three hat tricks this season. However, all those goals were penalty kicks.
8. Teddy Baker | Center Midfielder | One Knox
Teddy Baker isn’t the kind of midfielder you miss when watching. He’s capable of every pass you could ever need and can score from outside the box if left open. He’s even capable of a box-crashing run if center backs don’t pick him up, and he’s come up with three goals and an assist in the last five league matches for One Knox, including a goal and assist in Spokane. Originally from Ipswich Town, he came from Texoma last season and looks to go from Wooden Spoon to Champion in Knoxville.
9. Samuel Owusu | Center Back | Union Omaha
Samuel Owusu is big, bad and the best defender in League One. He’s the only defender to get league MVP attention ahead of goal scorers and playmakers, but he’s contributed a pair of goals just to be safe. The standout player on the table topping team, Owusu also scored against Indy Eleven in Omaha’s Open Cup victory. He has a unique anticipation to sense where opposing attackers are going to send the ball, although that can sometimes get him in trouble. He also frequently bails out defensive partner Brett Kallman. If Omaha can shore up Owusu’s partner, they won’t be giving up their spot at the top of the table any time soon.
10. Ryan Carmichael | Striker | Forward Madison
Ryan Carmichael has been on a tear in the last 10 games. He wasn’t on the first draft of this list, but a hat trick against the staunch defense of Chattanooga Red Wolves made him impossible to leave off. Nine goals across all competitions, including his two in the USL Cup match against rival Omaha, have Madison fans dreaming of a team full of Carmichaels. He’s bagged a direct free kick, a pen, a 40 yard lob and plenty more from open play. The Northern Irish forward is a League 1 rookie, having been at Atlanta United 2 and Inter Miami 2 previously. Carmichael wasn’t finishing his chances in the early phase of the season, but since the Mingos have returned to Breese following a long season-opening road stretch, he’s been running up quite a tab.
