YNT-eligible NASL/USL players: 2016 In-season thread

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 18, 2016

The USL opens first. From a league release:

The league, which opens its campaign March 25-26 with 13 matches, enters the 2016 season with 29 teams in 19 American states and three Canadian provinces, making it the largest professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and the world.

The league has more than doubled in size since 2013, as 2016 marks the introduction of six teams...

The NASL follows with its first of two calendar-year mini-seasons a bit later.

Here's the offseason thread -- which probably is still the right place for updates and news right up until the matches start...

http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/ynt-eligible-nasl-usl-players-2015-16-offseason-thread.2026081/

Balerion · Mar 18, 2016

T2 adds Villyan Bijev, Michael Gallagher, Andre Lewis and Kendall McIntosh to roster: https://t.co/Smv2GwSRdt #T2FC pic.twitter.com/z0oN5FHuGa
— Portland Timbers2 (@TimbersFC2) March 18, 2016

All are 93s and 94s. Lewis isn't American, Bijev is provisionally cap-tied to Bulgaria.

Balerion · Mar 18, 2016

Mitchell Lurie '93 signed with Saint Louis FC

Connor Sparrow '94 signed with Real Monarchs

This is from a week ago but I think we may have missed it. (At the very least, I missed it...)

http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2...nio-matarazzo-keegan-smith-and-alejandro-garc

Orlando City B signs Antonio Matarazzo '93, Keegan Smith '93, and Alejandro Garcia '94.

Another signing from early March: Pittsburgh signed Caleb Postlewait '93, a defender.

Smithsoccer1721 · Mar 18, 2016

Swanson has been loaned to Pittsburgh and appeared as a 2nd half sub against Akron today.

Balerion · Mar 21, 2016

Josh Turnley '93 signed with Los Dos. He appears to be a left back.

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 23, 2016

Balerion said: ↑

Josh Turnley '93 signed with Los Dos. He appears to be a left back.
Click to expand...

The Galaxy got pretty good value from another somewhat unheralded outside back out of Georgetown.

Balerion · Mar 23, 2016

Nathan Smith signs with Los Dos....I think. It doesn't explicitly say that he is signing a USL contract and not an MLS contract, but it is implied.

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

Balerion said: ↑

Nathan Smith signs with Los Dos....I think. It doesn't explicitly say that he is signing a USL contract and not an MLS contract, but it is implied.
Click to expand...

This Los Dos roster announcement seems to make it clear he's on the second squad. Relevant players: Lopez (99), Sneddon (97), Neeskens (93), Turnley (93), Smith (94), Vera (97), Jaime V (95), Amaya (96), Bailey (95), McBean (94):

http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/03/23/la-galaxy-ii-announce-roster-2016-usl-season

Someone (not me) asked Onalfo about McBean during a preseason USL conference call earlier this week and he had good things to say about him. Kind of a forgotten man perhaps. He's been a pro for six flippin' years!

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

Some relevant USL rules:

USL Rosters

The Master Roster consists of up to 30 players and is the official player roster of the team as set by the USL. A maximum of seven players on the Master Roster may be Foreign Players. Canadian citizens are considered domestic on the roster of American teams and American citizens are considered domestic on of the roster of Canadian teams.

Academy Players

In addition to the 30 players allowed on the Master Roster, a team may register up to five Academy Players which do not count against the 30 players on the Master Roster and are allowed to participate in all competitions. After the first five Academy Players rostered, Academy Players will count against the Master Roster. To be considered an Academy Player, all of the following must be in place: a) player is under the age of 21 as of the official start date of the current season, b) player cannot compete (or have ever previously have competed) in any NCAA or NAIA university or college soccer program, and c) player has never been signed or registered as a professional soccer player as recognized by FIFA.

The Academy Player must play for a club which conducts its activities (home games and/or training) within the team’s franchise territory or play for a club which has a documented affiliation with the team. In the latter scenario, the affiliated club outside the territory of the team must not be in the territory of another USL team and the team must register all documented affiliate clubs with the League Office prior to the season or upon completion of the affiliation agreement. Additionally, teams with MLS affiliations they use the Academy Players of their MLS affiliate.

2016 USL Roster Freeze

The 2016 USL Roster freeze will take place at 5 p.m. ET on September 6, 2016

-Any player on loan must play a minimum of five games during the regular season to be eligible to play in the playoffs. One of these games must occur prior to the roster freeze date.

(From a league release in my inbox.)

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

Could be wrong, but I think VanCompernolle is the only thread-eligible pro on the Swope Park roster. Are any of Armstrong, Little or Tekesky on pro deals?

http://www.sportingkc.com/players/squad/spr

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

Relevant players on the San Antonio roster: Cardone, McBride, Garcia, Salazar. (All U23-eligible only.)

http://sanantoniofc.com/team/

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

On Charlotte I see Alec Bartlett (93), Caleb Calvert (96) and Emmanuel Appiah (93).

http://www.charlotteindependence.com/team/

Balerion · Mar 24, 2016

Dave Marino-Nachison said: ↑

On Charlotte I see Alec Bartlett (93), Caleb Calvert (96) and Emmanuel Appiah (93).

http://www.charlotteindependence.com/team/
Click to expand...

Do we know for sure that Appiah is an American citizen?

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

Balerion said: ↑

Do we know for sure that Appiah is an American citizen?
Click to expand...

I thought we did, but I could be wrong. I know he wasn't born here.

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 24, 2016

San Jose loans TT to Sacramento. I just drove through there last weekend. Gosh!

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/629345?referrer_id=2333971

Gorky · Mar 25, 2016

NYRBII roster:
New York Red Bulls II:
Vincent Bezecourt
Stefano Bonomo
Rafa Diaz
Aaron Long
Dan Metzger
Konrad Plewa
Tim Schmoll
Speedy Williams

New York Red Bulls Academy Deals:
Mason Deeds
Noah Powder

New York Red Bulls MLS Eligible:
Anatole Abang
Tyler Adams
Brandon Allen
Justin Bilyeu
Zach Carroll
Sean Davis
Chris Duvall
Derrick Etienne
Connor Lade
Ryan Meara
Alex Muyl
Karl Ouimette
Damien Perrinelle

Gorky · Mar 27, 2016

NYRB II tied TFC II 2-2. Lot's of two's in there. Brandon Allen scored 2.

You can watch the game on the USL website: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218181

The NYRBII players that played:
starters: Meara; Powder, Schmoll, Carroll, Long; Adams, Davis, Etienne Jr., Muyl; Allen, Bonomo
subs: Williams, Bezecourt, Deeds

In bold is who I think is thread eligible. All except Bonomo are either signed to the 1st team or Academy players.

Edit: Forgot Bonomo.

Balerion · Mar 27, 2016

Is Powder an American citizen? He has played for T&T's U17 team and I can only find his hometown (in NJ) but that isn't always the place of birth.

Balerion · Mar 27, 2016

So here's a useless list of YNT-eligible USL players, since their YNT eligibility could end in a few days. I've included MLS loanees and academy players who played this weekend, undoubtedly more of both categories will pop up.

Arizona United
FW - Freddy Ruiz - 1993

(Duncan McCormick is rumored to be signing but it hasn't been announced)

Bethlehem Steel
LB - Taylor Washington - 1993 (on loan from Philly)
CM - Bolu Akinyode - 1994
AM - Derrick Jones - 1997
FW - Gabe Gissie - 1996

Charleston Battery
CB - Forrest Lasso - 1993

Charlotte Independence
CB - Alec Bartlett - 1993
FW - Caleb Calvert - 1996 (on loan from Colorado)

Colorado Springs Switchbacks
GK - Dan Jackson - 1993

FC Cincinnati
DF - Derek Luke - 1993
AM - Jimmy McLaughlin - 1993
FW - Sean Okoli - 1993

Harrisburg City Islanders
RB - Shawn McLaws - 1993
CB - Darvin Ebanks - 1993
LB - Shane Campbell - 1994
DF - Chris Hill - 1994
FW - Matt Bolduc - 1994

LA Galaxy II
GK - Eric Lopez - 1999
GK - Bennett Sneddon - 1997
RB - Nathan Smith - 1994
RB - Oscar Sorto - 1994 (on loan from LA)
CB - Dave Romney - 1993 (on loan from LA)
LB - John Neeskens - 1993
LB - Josh Turnley - 1993
AM - Ariel Lassiter - 1994 (on loan from LA)
AM - Adrian Vera - 1997
AM - Jaime Villarreal - 1995
FW - Adonis Amaya - 1996
FW - Kainoa Bailey - 1995
FW - Bradford Jamieson - 1996 (on loan from LA)
FW - Jack McBean - 1994

Louisville City
LB - Enrique Montano - 1993

NYRB II
CB - Zach Carroll - 1994 (on loan from NYRB)
CM - Tyler Adams - 1999 (on loan from NYRB)
CM - Sean Davis - 1993 (on loan from NYRB)
CM - Dan Metzger - 1993
AM - Alex Muyl - 1995 (on loan from NYRB)
FW - Brandon Allen - 1993 (on loan from NYRB)
FW - Stefano Bonomo - 1993

Oklahoma City Energy
FW - Jordan Rideout - 1993

Orange County Blues
CB - Ryan Felix - 1993
CM - Mats Bjurman - 1994
CM - Grady Howe - 1994
CM - Verneri Valimaa - 1993 (on loan from Tampa Bay Rowdies)
FW - Tyler Feeley - 1997

Orlando City B
GK - Jake Fenlason - 1993
GK - Mason Stajduhar - 1997 (on loan from Orlando)
RB - Tyler Turner - 1996 (on loan from Orlando)
LB - Mikey Ambrose - 1993
CM - Antonio Matarazzo - 1993
CM - Tony Rocha - 1993
AM - Alejandro Garcia - 1994
FW - Pierre da Silva - 1998
FW - Keegan Smith - 1993
FW - Boxi Yomba - 1996

Pittsburgh Riverhounds
GK - Brenden Alfery - 1994
DF - Caleb Postlewait - 1993
CM - Ben Swanson - 1997 (on loan from Columbus)
MF - Marshall Hollingsworth - 1993 (on loan from Columbus)

Portland Timbers 2
GK - Wade Hamilton - 1994 (on loan from Portland)
GK - Kendall McIntosh - 1994
CB - Michael Gallagher - 1994
CM - Nick Besler - 1993 (on loan from Portland)
MF - Marco Farfan - 1998 (academy)
MF - Terrell Lowe - 1998 (academy)
MF - Steve Palacios - 1993

Real Monarchs
GK - Connor Sparrow - 1994
CB - Darion Copeland - 1993
CB - Justen Glad - 1997 (on loan from RSL)
CM - Fito Ovalle - 1997 (on loan from RSL)
AM - Ricardo Velazco - 1993
MF - Edgar Duran - 1996
FW - Andrew Brody - 1995
FW - Eti Tavares - 1993

Richmond Kickers
CB - Braeden Troyer - 1993

Rio Grande Valley
GK - Devin Perales - 1993
CB - Bradley Bourgeois - 1994 (on loan from Houston)
CB - Kai Greene - 1994
LB - Taylor Hunter - 1993
CM - Eric Bird - 1993
CM - Todd Wharton - 1994
AM - T.J. Casner - 1994
AM - Memo Rodriguez - 1995
AM - Christian Lucatero - 1997 (on loan from Houston)
FW - Charly Flores - 1997

Sacramento Republic
MF - Matt LaGrassa - 1993
FW - Cameron Iwasa - 1993
FW - Tommy Thompson - 1995 (on loan from SJ)

Saint Louis FC
CB - A.J. Cochran - 1993
CB - Sam Fink - 1993
CB - Mitchell Lurie - 1993
CM - Drew Conner - 1994 (on loan from Chicago)
CM - Tyler David - 1994
AM - Charles Renken - 1993
MF - Vince Cicciarelli - 1993

Seattle Sounders 2
RB - Devon Fisher - 1993
CB - Tony Alfaro - 1993 (on loan from Seattle)
CB - Tobi Jnohope - 1997 (academy)
CB - Michael Nelson - 1994
CM - Emir Alihodzic - 1993
CM - Zach Mathers - 1994
CM - Jordan Schweitzer - 1994
AM - Aaron Kovar - 1993 (on loan from Seattle)

Swope Park Rangers
GK - Jon Kempin - 1993 (on loan from KC)
CB - Jacob VanCompernolle - 1993

Toronto FC II
GK - Alex Bono - 1994 (on loan from Toronto)
CB - Mitchell Taintor - 1994
CM - Brian James - 1993

Tulsa Roughnecks
GK - Alex Mangels - 1993
LB - Raymond Lee - 1993
FW - Cristian Mata - 1994

Wilmington Hammerheads
CB - Michael Mecham - 1994
CM - Mael Corboz - 1994
CM - Jeff Michaud - 1993 (on loan from Tampa Bay Rowdies)
CM - Zev Taublieb - 1993
AM - Stefan Defregger - 1993
FW - Kyle Parker - 1993

Probably missed a few.

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 29, 2016

Not 2016 news, but a big deal for NASL expansion:

The San Francisco Deltas announced on Tuesday that the club will begin play in the NASL in 2017. The club is backed by 15 investors from Silicon Valley and Brazil, including former North American CEO of Virgin Jonathan Peachey, Yahoo’s Bobby Jaros, and Josh McFarland, senior director of product at Twitter.

http://sbisoccer.com/2016/03/san-francisco-deltas-to-join-nasl-in-2017

Brotheryoungbuck · Mar 30, 2016

Tobi Jnohope, Nick Hinds, Mansaray is starting for S2 right now all 97s. On the bench we have possible yank Handwalla Bwana (98), Henry Baldwin (98), Lorenzo Ramos (97), and Harrison Kurtz (97).

Brotheryoungbuck · Mar 31, 2016

In the S2 game Bwana subbed in at the 58th

Brotheryoungbuck · Mar 31, 2016

Ramos and Kurtz came on at the 72nd.

Brotheryoungbuck · Mar 31, 2016

Zubak came on at the 72nd for LAGII.

Dave Marino-Nachison · Mar 31, 2016

Official for 2017:

NEW YORK (March 31, 2016) - The North American Soccer League (NASL) has officially reached the West Coast. The San Francisco Deltas, led by a group of Silicon Valley and Brazilian entrepreneurs, will take the field in 2017 as the league's first West Coast club.

Bill P. said on a league conference call that the NASL is committed to single-table, so this presumably doesn't presage a shift to conferences (which the USL has).

This would put the pro soccer picture in California (as of 2018) as:

MLS
Los Angeles Galaxy
LAFC 2
San Jose

NASL
San Francisco

USL*
Los Angeles Galaxy 2
Orange County
Sacramento

*Reno is pretty close...

And there are some pretty large markets without teams, most notably San Diego.