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The 2019 USL Championship (USLC) season marks the division’s third year as the second tier of American and Canadian soccer, and with 36 clubs vying for the USL Cup — including three that are averaging attendances of over 10,000 per match — the competition has never been bigger or better.
Over the years, the league has seen world-renowned players like Didier Drogba, Omar Bravo and Joe Cole grace its fields, and although the general roster makeup shades toward up-and-comers (15 of the division’s clubs are either MLS-affiliated or MLS-owned), there are still some extremely interesting profiles throughout the USLC.
10 Wild Cards Plying Their Trade In The USLC
#1. Alexy Bosetti | El Paso Locomotive FC
Perhaps the biggest case of unfulfilled talent in the USLC, Bosetti flew through the ranks at Nice before making his senior debut as a 19-year-old. His rapid rise was rewarded with a place on France’s 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup squad, where he lifted the trophy alongside Paul Pogba, Samuel Umtiti and Florian Thauvin.
During the 2013-14 Ligue 1 season, Bosetti scored five goals and added one assist in 20 appearances, but his career trajectory took a downward turn from there. He joined Oklahoma City Energy FC at the start of the season, but after scoring only one goal in 19 games, he was traded to El Paso.
#2. Mathias Jörgensen | NYRB II
The 18-year-old joined New York Red Bulls from Danish club Odense BK for $2.5 million back in February, and he made one start for the MLS club before being loaned to the reserve side. He’s scored eight goals in 12 appearances so far, making him the most exciting prospect in the USLC.
#3. Kléber | Austin Bold FC
The 36-year-old striker was once a Brazilian phenom, winning the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup alongside Dani Alves and Fernandinho. Shortly after that career high, he transferred to Dynamo Kyiv for $2 million and enjoyed success in Ukraine before moving back to Brazil to play for some of the nation’s biggest clubs.
#4. Matt Pickens | Nashville SC
The 37-year-old goalkeeper was most famously Colorado’s No. 1 en route to the Rapids’ stunning 2010 MLS Cup triumph. Heading into the playoffs, Colorado was only the seventh-best team in the league, but Pickens was instrumental in post-season victories over Columbus, San Jose and Dallas.
#5. Michael Orozco | Orange County SC
With 29 caps and four goals — including the game-winner during a 2012 friendly against Mexico at the Azteca — the 33-year-old Orozco is well known amongst USMNT supporters. After an extensive career in Liga MX with San Luis, Puebla and Tijuana, the defender now plays for his hometown club in the USLC.
#6. Jon Bakero | Phoenix Rising FC
Bakero was a force in college at Wake Forest, where he collected the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy. He was selected by the Chicago Fire with the fifth pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, but he was later traded to Toronto before being loaned to the USLC. The 22-year-old has three goals and three assists in 17 appearances this season.
#7. Daigo Kobayashi | Birmingham Legion FC
The 36-year-old midfielder appeared in over 100 MLS games while spending time with the Vancouver Whitecaps and New England Revolution, and he received one international cap with Japan back in 2006.
#8. Atiba Harris | OKC Energy FC
The former MLS journeyman played for seven different clubs in America’s top division, including a double-winning season with FC Dallas back in 2016. The 34-year-old defender has amassed 63 caps for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
#9. Xavier Báez | Austin Bold FC
The 32-year-old midfielder played extensively in Liga MX, including stops with Chivas, Toluca, Cruz Azul and Necaxa. He lifted the CONCACAF Champions League title with La Maquina in 2014 and the 2018 Clausura Copa MX with Necaxa.
#10. André Lima | Austin Bold FC
The 34-year-old forward won Brazil’s Série A twice, with São Paulo in 2008 and Fluminense in 2010. He was also on the books at Hertha Berlin for a few years.
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