2020 USL League One season explained

Competition:USL League One
Season:2020
Dates:July 18 – October 24
Winners:Greenville Triumph SC
(1st title)
Shieldtitle:Regular season title
Shield:Greenville Triumph SC
(1st title)
Biggest Home Win:MAD 4–0 TRM
(August 14)
Biggest Away Win:MAD 0–4 NEW
(September 4)
Highest Scoring:NTX 3–3 NEW
(August 15)
Matches:87
Total Goals:222
Longest Wins:5 games
Greenville Triumph SC
Longest Unbeaten:8 games
Union Omaha
Longest Winless:13 games
Orlando City B
Longest Losses:8 games

Prevseason:2019
Nextseason:2021

The 2020 USL League One season was the second season of USL League One. The regular season was scheduled to begin on March 27 and end on October 3. On March 13, it was announced the regular season start would be delayed to April 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay was extended to May 10. The delay was extended for a third time with the USL awaiting guidance and clarity from various authorities before announcing a new date. On June 5, the league announced a provisional return date of July 18. On July 2, the league announced a modified 20-game schedule (but changed to a 16-game schedule on July 17) with a modified playoffs. Now, only the top two teams will go straight to the League Finals, on the weekend of October 31. On July 8, Toronto FC II announced they would not play in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions. They remain a member club of the league, and plan to return for the 2021 season.[1] Nine teams[2] return from the inaugural season, while three new teams enter for the first time; MLS reserve teams Fort Lauderdale CF and New England Revolution II, and expansion club Union Omaha.

North Texas SC was the defending champion.[3] They were unable to defend the title after finishing third in the regular season, eliminating them from the Championship game.

The Championship game was canceled on October 29, 2020, after several Union Omaha players tested positive for COVID-19. Greenville Triumph SC was awarded the title based on points per game average (2.188 to 1.825).

Teams

ClubCityStadium CapacityHead coachAffiliateJersey manufacturerJersey sponsor
Chattanooga Red Wolves SCChattanooga, TennesseeCHI Memorial Stadium5,000[4] Jimmy Obleda AdidasTranscard
Fort Lauderdale CFInter Miami CF Stadium19,000Jason KreisInter Miami CF Adidas
Forward Madison FCMadison, WisconsinHart Park[5] 3,000Daryl ShoreChicago Fire FC HummelDairyland Insurance
Greenville Triumph SCLegacy Early College Field4,000John Harkes NikeScansource
New England Revolution IIFoxborough, MassachusettsGillette Stadium20,000Clint PeayNew England Revolution AdidasUnitedHealthcare
North Texas SCArlington, TexasGlobe Life Park in Arlington48,114Eric QuillFC Dallas AdidasAdvoCare
Orlando City BKissimmee, FloridaOsceola County Stadium5,400Marcelo NeveleffOrlando City SC AdidasOrlando Health
Richmond KickersRichmond, VirginiaCity Stadium22,611Darren Sawatzky AdidasAbsolute Stone Design
South Georgia Tormenta FCStatesboro, GeorgiaEagle Field at Erk Russell Park3,500Ian Cameron AdidasOptim Healthcare
Toronto FC IIToronto, OntarioBMO Training Ground1,000Mike MuñozToronto FC AdidasBMO
FC TucsonTucson, ArizonaKino Sports Complex3,500John GalasPhoenix Rising FC MacronChapman Automotive
Union OmahaPapillion, NebraskaWerner Park9,023Jay Mims NikeCHI Health (home)
Nebraska Medicine (away)

Withdrew for the season.

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming managerDate of appointment
Richmond Kickers David Bulow[6] Contract not renewedOctober 9, 2019 Darren Sawatzky[7] November 6, 2019
FC Tucson Darren Sawatzky[8] Mutual separationNovember 6, 2019 John Galas[9] December 24, 2019
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Tim HankinsonMutual separationNovember 20, 2019 Jimmy Obleda[10] November 21, 2019
Orlando City B Roberto SibajaEnd of interim periodDecember 20, 2019 Marcelo Neveleff[11] December 20, 2019
Toronto FC II Michael RabascaMutual separationJanuary 27, 2020 Mike Muñoz[12] January 27, 2020
South Georgia Tormenta FC John MiglaresePromoted to technical directorSeptember 16, 2020 Ian Cameron[13] September 16, 2020

Results table

Color Key: Home Away <--Neutral --> Win Loss Draw Cancelled
ClubMatches[14] [15] [16]
12345678910111213141516

<

--Win : bgcolor=#DFE7FFscoreLoss: bgcolor=#FFDFDFscoreDraw: bgcolor=#FFFFDDscore-->
Chattanooga Red Wolves
(CHA)
TRM TUC NTX GVL TRM NEW FTL NEW RIC OMA GVL MAD NTX ORL MAD RIC
2–2 1–0 2–2 0–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 0–1 0–1 1–3 CAN[17] 1–1 2–1
Fort Lauderdale CF
(FTL)
GVL TUC TRM ORL NTX GVL CHA ORL TRM RIC TUC OMA NTX NEW MAD OMA
0–2 1–2 2–1 1–1 3–2 0–1 1–1 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–1 2–3 0–3 1–4 2–2 0–1
Forward Madison FC
(MAD)
NTX GVL RIC TRM OMA ORL NEW GVL TUC CHA TUC OMA FTL CHA NTX NEW
1–2 0–0 0–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 0–2 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–1 0–1 2–1
Greenville Triumph SC
(GVL)
FTL RIC MAD TRM CHA FTL NEW RIC TRM MAD CHA NTX ORL TUC OMA ORL
2–0 3–2 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–2 1–2 4–1
New England Revolution II
(NEW)
OMA ORL NTX RIC GVL CHA MAD CHA TUC OMA ORL RIC FTL NTX TRM MAD
0–0 0–2 3–3 1–2 1–0 0–4 0–4 1–2 0–1 2–0 1–0 4–0 4–1 1–1 0–4 1–2
North Texas SC
(NTX)
MAD OMA CHA NEW FTL OMA ORL TUC TUC GVL FTL CHA RIC NEW MAD TRM
2–1 0–1 2–2 3–3 2–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 3–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 2–1
Orlando City B
(ORL)
TRM NEW FTL TUC MAD TRM NTX OMA FTL NEW GVL RIC CHA TUC RIC GVL
0–2 2–0 1–1 1–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–2 0–1 0–2 1–2 CAN 0–2 1–3 1–4
Richmond Kickers
(RIC)
GVL TRM MAD TUC NEW GVL TUC CHA FTL OMA NEW ORL NTX TRM ORL CHA
2–3 0–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 2–2 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–4 2–1 1–2 0–1 3–1 1–2
Tormenta FC
(TRM)
CHA RIC ORL GVL FTL MAD CHA ORL GVL OMA FTL OMA TUC RIC NEW NTX
2–2 0–0 2–0 0–1 1–2 0–4 2–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–3 0–1 1–0 4–0 1–2
FC Tucson
(TUC)
FTL CHA OMA RIC ORL OMA RIC NTX NEW NTX MAD FTL MAD TRM GVL ORL
2–1 0–1 1–2 1–2 4–1 1–2 2–2 0–2 1–0 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–0 1–0 2–2 2–0
Union Omaha
(OMA)
NEW NTX TUC MAD NTX TUC ORL TRM CHA NEW RIC FTL TRM MAD GVL FTL
0–0 1–0 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–1 3–2 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–0

USL League One Championship

The game was canceled the day before because several Union Omaha players tested positive for COVID-19. Greenville was awarded the title based on points per game average (2.188 to 1.825).[18]

Statistical leaders

Top scorers

RankPlayerNationClubGoals
1Emiliano Terzaghi ArgentinaRichmond Kickers10
2Greg HurstChattanooga Red Wolves SC8
3Ricky Lopez-Espin United StatesFort Lauderdale CF7
Lachlan McLean AustraliaGreenville Triumph SC
5Evan Conway United StatesUnion Omaha6
6Ronaldo DamusNorth Texas SC5
Jake Keegan United StatesGreenville Triumph SC
Alex Morrell United StatesGreenville Triumph SC
9Shak Adams United StatesFC Tucson4
Josh Coan United StatesFC Tucson
Nicolas Firmino BrazilNew England Revolution II
Mark Hernández United StatesChattanooga Red Wolves SC
Justin Rennicks United StatesNew England Revolution II
Michael Vang United StatesForward Madison FC
Nil Vinyals SpainTormenta FC

Source:[19]

Top assists

RankPlayerNationClubAssists
1Alex Morrell United StatesGreenville Triumph SC6
Ethan Vanacore-Decker United StatesUnion Omaha
3Charlie DennisFC Tucson5
4Mark Hernández United StatesChattanooga Red Wolves SC4
Ryley Kraft United StatesRichmond Kickers
Paulo Jr. BrazilForward Madison FC
Eduardo Sosa Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofFort Lauderdale CF
Moises Tablante Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofOrlando City B
9Ian Antley United StatesRichmond Kickers3
Edison Azcona Dominican RepublicFort Lauderdale CF
Matt Bolduc United StatesRichmond Kickers
Ronaldo DamusNorth Texas SC
Azaad Liadi United StatesFC Tucson
Omar Mohamed SomaliaGreenville Triumph SC
Don Smart JamaicaForward Madison FC

Source:[19]

Clean sheets

RankPlayerNationClubClean sheets
1Dallas Jaye GuamGreenville Triumph SC9
2Rashid Nuhu GhanaUnion Omaha6
3Pablo JaraTormenta FC4
4Carlos Avilez United StatesNorth Texas SC3
Chris Brady United StatesForward Madison FC
Akira Fitzgerald JapanRichmond Kickers
Alex Mangels United StatesChattanooga Red Wolves SC
Philipp Marceta AustriaForward Madison FC
Joe Rice United StatesNew England Revolution II
10Amal Knight JamaicaFC Tucson2
Carlos Merancio MexicoFC Tucson
Source:[19]

Hat-tricks

League awards

Individual awards

[28]

Monthly awards

MonthPlayer of the MonthGoal of the MonthSave of the MonthCoach of the MonthReferences
PlayerClubPositionPlayerClubPositionGoalkeeperClubCoachClub
July Jake KeeganGreenville Triumph SCForward Emiliano TerzaghiRichmond KickersForward Dallas JayeGreenville Triumph SC John HarkesGreenville Triumph SChttps://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1117523 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1116579 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1116764 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1117397
AugustUnion OmahaForward Ricky Lopez-EspinFort Lauderdale CFForward Sam HowardUnion Omaha Darren SawatzkyRichmond Kickershttps://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1121967 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1120842 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1121025 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1121664
September Emiliano TerzaghiRichmond KickersForward Noah PilatoGreenville Triumph SCMidfielder Joe RiceNew England Revolution II John HarkesGreenville Triumph SChttps://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1126829 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1126803 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1127029 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1126652
October Evan ConwayUnion OmahaForward Nicolas FirminoNew England Revolution IIMidfielder Austin AvizaOrlando City B Eric QuillNorth Texas SChttps://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1132060 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1131379 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1131556 https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1132057

Weekly awards

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toronto FC II withdraws from 2020 USL League One season. Toronto FC. July 8, 2020.
  2. [Lansing Ignite]
  3. Web site: 2020 USL League One Schedule Revealed . USLLeagueOne.com . December 20, 2019 . December 20, 2019.
  4. Web site: CHATTANOOGA TO BUILD SOCCER-SPECIFIC STADIUM FOR 2020 SEASON . USLLeagueOne.com . October 18, 2018 . USL League One . October 18, 2018.
  5. Web site: Forward Madison Set for Home Games at Hart Park In Wauwatosa. Forward Madison FC. July 9, 2020. July 9, 2020. July 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712215723/https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news_article/show/1112497. dead.
  6. Web site: Kickers Part Ways with David Bulow . Richmond Kickers . October 9, 2019 . November 7, 2019.
  7. Web site: Kickers Appoint Darren Sawatzky Sporting Director and Head Coach . Richmond Kickers . November 6, 2019 . November 7, 2019.
  8. Web site: FC Tucson and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky Part Ways . FC Tucson . November 6, 2019 . November 7, 2019.
  9. Web site: FC Tucson Names John Galas Head Coach . FC Tucson . December 24, 2019 . December 30, 2019.
  10. Web site: Red Wolves Appoint Jimmy Obleda Head Coach . Chattanooga Red Wolves SC . November 21, 2019 . November 21, 2019 . September 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200913094609/https://www.chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com/news_article/show/1066469 . dead .
  11. Web site: Orlando City SC Appoints Marcelo Neveleff as OCB Head Coach . Orlando City B . December 20, 2019 . February 7, 2020.
  12. Web site: Mike Muñoz Named Toronto FC II Head Coach . Toronto FC II . January 27, 2020 . February 7, 2020.
  13. Web site: Tormenta FC Names Ian Cameron As USL League One Head Coach . Tormenta FC . September 16, 2020 . September 16, 2020 . September 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928202951/https://www.tormentafc.com/news_article/show/1123035 . dead .
  14. Web site: 2020 USL League One Schedule Revealed. USLLeagueOne.com. December 20, 2019. December 20, 2019.
  15. Web site: League One Announces Opening Day Contests. USLLeagueOne.com. July 10, 2020. July 13, 2020.
  16. Web site: USL League One Unveils Full 2020 Schedule. USLLeagueOne.com. July 17, 2020. July 17, 2020.
  17. Web site: USL Provides Update on Orlando City B, Chattanooga Red Wolves Match. USLLeagueOne.com. October 26, 2020. October 29, 2020.
  18. Web site: USL League One Final Cancelled, Greenville Named 2020 Title-Winners. USLLeagueOne.com. October 29, 2020. October 29, 2020.
  19. Web site: 2020 USL League One statistics . October 24, 2020.
  20. Web site: Richmond's Emiliano Terzaghi Named League One's Most Valuable Player . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 13, 2020. November 13, 2020.
  21. Web site: Greenville's Brandon Fricke Named League One's Defender of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 11, 2020. November 11, 2020.
  22. Web site: Madison's Chris Brady Named League One's Young Player of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 12, 2020. November 12, 2020.
  23. Web site: Greenville's Dallas Jaye Voted League One's Goalkeeper of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 11, 2020. November 11, 2020.
  24. Web site: Greenville's John Harkes Named League One's Coach of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 12, 2020. November 12, 2020.
  25. Web site: USL League One Announces Statistical Award-Winners . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . October 28, 2020. October 28, 2020.
  26. Web site: FC Tucson's Josh Coan Claims League One's Fans' Choice Goal of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . November 30, 2020. November 30, 2020.
  27. Web site: New England Revolution II's Joe Rice Wins Fans' Choice Save of the Year . USLLeagueOne.com Staff . December 1, 2020. December 1, 2020.
  28. Web site: 2020 USL League One Awards Finalists Unveiled. USLLeagueOne.com Staff. November 5, 2020. November 5, 2020.
  29. Web site: 2020 USL League One All-League Teams Revealed. USLLeagueOne.com Staff. November 4, 2020. November 4, 2020.
  30. Web site: Greenville's Morrell Named League One Player of the Week. USLLeagueOne.com. July 21, 2020. July 21, 2020.
  31. Web site: Greenville's Keegan Named League One Player of the Week. USLLeagueOne.com. July 28, 2020. July 28, 2020.
  32. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 3. USLLeagueOne.com. August 4, 2020. August 4, 2020.
  33. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 4. USLLeagueOne.com. August 11, 2020. August 11, 2020.
  34. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 5. USLLeagueOne.com. August 18, 2020. August 18, 2020.
  35. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 6. USLLeagueOne.com. August 25, 2020. August 25, 2020.
  36. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 7. USLLeagueOne.com. September 1, 2020. September 1, 2020.
  37. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 8. USLLeagueOne.com. September 8, 2020. September 8, 2020.
  38. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 9. USLLeagueOne.com. September 15, 2020. September 15, 2020.
  39. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 10. USLLeagueOne.com. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020.
  40. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 11. USLLeagueOne.com. September 29, 2020. September 29, 2020.
  41. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 12. USLLeagueOne.com. October 6, 2020. October 7, 2020.
  42. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 13. USLLeagueOne.com. October 13, 2020. October 13, 2020.
  43. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 14. USLLeagueOne.com. October 20, 2020. October 20, 2020.
  44. Web site: USL League One Team of the Week – Week 15. USLLeagueOne.com. October 27, 2020. October 27, 2020.
  45. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 1. USLLeagueOne.com. July 20, 2020. July 23, 2020.
  46. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 2. USLLeagueOne.com. July 27, 2020. July 30, 2020.
  47. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 3. USLLeagueOne.com. August 3, 2020. August 6, 2020.
  48. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 4. USLLeagueOne.com. August 10, 2020. August 13, 2020.
  49. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 5. USLLeagueOne.com. August 17, 2020. August 20, 2020.
  50. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 6. USLLeagueOne.com. August 24, 2020. August 27, 2020.
  51. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 7. USLLeagueOne.com. August 31, 2020. September 3, 2020.
  52. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 8. USLLeagueOne.com. September 7, 2020. September 10, 2020.
  53. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 9. USLLeagueOne.com. September 14, 2020. September 17, 2020.
  54. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 10. USLLeagueOne.com. September 21, 2020. September 24, 2020.
  55. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 11. USLLeagueOne.com. September 28, 2020. October 1, 2020.
  56. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 12. USLLeagueOne.com. October 5, 2020. October 8, 2020.
  57. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 13. USLLeagueOne.com. October 12, 2020. October 15, 2020.
  58. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 14. USLLeagueOne.com. October 19, 2020. October 22, 2020.
  59. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 15. USLLeagueOne.com. October 26, 2020. October 28, 2020.
  60. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 1. USLLeagueOne.com. July 21, 2020. July 24, 2020.
  61. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 2. USLLeagueOne.com. July 28, 2020. July 31, 2020.
  62. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 3. USLLeagueOne.com. August 4, 2020. August 7, 2020.
  63. Web site: Castanheira Captures Save of the Week Honors. USLLeagueOne.com. August 11, 2020. August 14, 2020.
  64. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 5. USLLeagueOne.com. August 18, 2020. August 21, 2020.
  65. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 6. USLLeagueOne.com. August 25, 2020. August 28, 2020.
  66. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 7. USLLeagueOne.com. September 1, 2020. September 4, 2020.
  67. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 8. USLLeagueOne.com. September 8, 2020. September 11, 2020.
  68. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 9. USLLeagueOne.com. September 15, 2020. September 18, 2020.
  69. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 10. USLLeagueOne.com. September 22, 2020. September 25, 2020.
  70. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 11. USLLeagueOne.com. September 29, 2020. October 2, 2020.
  71. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 12. USLLeagueOne.com. October 6, 2020. October 9, 2020.
  72. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 13. USLLeagueOne.com. October 13, 2020. October 16, 2020.
  73. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 14. USLLeagueOne.com. October 20, 2020. October 23, 2020.
  74. Web site: USL League One Fans' Choice Save of the Week – Week 15. USLLeagueOne.com. October 27, 2020. October 30, 2020.