Per Instagram, Chris Heckenberg has announced his retirement from professional soccer. The midfielder spent 2025 with FC Naples after seasons with Fuego and Tormenta.

Sebastián Palma moves on from USL after seasons in Charleston and Westchester, returning to Colombia to play for Boyacá Chicó FC in the top tier. Palma was a late addition to Westchester, but made 17 starts at center back in 2025.

Hartford suddenly shows signs of life, announcing the return of Jordan Scarlett. Now just waiting on you, Corpus!

And follow Josh on BlueSky! Support local journalism and encourage him to post more here :)

Josh Patterson of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette covering Fort Wayne FC this season. He's starting a newsletter where you'll get FWFC coverage and support local a journalist covering one of our teams. Check Fort Wayne FC, enter your email address and sign up! www.journalgazette.net/newsletter/

Another piece added. Angelo Kelly is set to join us for the upcoming season!

Kinda awesome that Boise decided to build a legitimate Championship roster.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay ➡️ AC Boise pipeline continues as Nick Moon joins Blake Bodily in Idaho for 2026.

Hartford 🤝 Corpus Christi Anyone home?

Sarasota Paradise snags all league defender Declan Watters in free agency. Watters was previously announced by Chattanooga Red Wolves as "in talks to retain" when their initial roster decisions were released.

Forward Madison FC has signed Turner Humphrey for the 2026 Season! 👊 The 6' 4" Defender stands to be an imposing threat on the Mingos' backline. 🎓 Oregon State University 🐂 2024 MLS SuperDraft to FC Dallas 🎰 Las Vegas Lights FC 📰 Full Press Release: www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2026/01...

He's already achieved so much in a Fort Wayne Football Club uniform. Now we get to see him in the pros. Tiago Dias is back with Fort Wayne FC, as the first player signed for our first season in USL League One. Welcome back, Tiago! www.fortwaynefc.com/news/2026/01...

Welcome to TBM 3.0 www.theblazingmusket.com/state-of-the...

Former Chattanooga Red Wolves player Mayele Malango transferred from Monterey Bay to Sacramento 👀

Former Tormenta player Lars Eckenrode named one of Union Omaha's assistant coaches 👀

Goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah’s Inspiring Global Odyssey Pursuing His Professional Soccer Destiny. His story is truly remarkable and inspiring! medium.com/the-union-re... #soccer #sports #usl #uslchampionship #futbol #footy

AC Boise picks up wingback Jonathan Ricketts who spent the last few seasons with Miami FC, Sacramento Republic and RGV Toros. He returns to USL League One after starting his pro career with Chattanooga Red Wolves, and developed up through the Red Wolves and Chattanooga FC systems.

𝘾𝙡𝙪𝙗 & 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 🇺🇸 Congratulations to Griffin Garnett on earning selection to the U-20 Men's National Team Training Camp! 📰 bit.ly/45DERTN | #UpTheRoos

Together/Union Rowdies/Omaha #COYR

A new year means the 2026 USL season is just around the corner 👀 @usltactics.com examines what's to come for the USL with 10 predictions, ranging from off-field trends to tactical shifts to players due for a breakout. Read ⤵️

From loaned in to locked in. Welcome back, Justin Malou! 🤝

I am appearing on Bluesky to share a blog post about Forward Madison that I decided to write. Okay bye meerkatbang.substack.com/p/meer-rants...

NY Cosmos announced two signings: Christian Koffi - coming off a 10 goal, 5 assist season at Huntsville City Luis Del Rio - 18 year old defender on his first pro contract

Spokane fans can breathe a sign of relief as goalkeeper Carlos Merancio returns on a new contract 😅

AC Boise announced another USL Championship veteran today, 31 year old midfielder Charlie Adams. Spent 2025 with Colorado Springs, with previous stops in Las Vegas, San Diego, Orange County, Louisville, Real Monarchs. 222 regular season USLC appearances in all.

Introducing the Sarasota Paradise - The Primetime Streak Kit! Rooted in Sarasota’s cultural legacy and shaped by its creative energy, the jersey reflects a place long defined by performance, ambition, and expression as it steps confidently onto the professional soccer stage.

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑹𝑽𝑨 🔴 We are excited to announce that Tampa native, Austin Amer, will be joining the club in 2026! 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭 📰: bit.ly/4js0nAG Keiter CPA | #UpTheRoos

Forward Madison FC 2026 roster update

Tampa Bay Rowdies: Harvesters of League One

Ostrem is the 5th 2025 USL1 player to be announced for Tampa Bay, joining Max Schneider, Austin Pack, Sebastian Cruz, and Karsen Henderlong. They're joined by a host of other former notable USL1 players, including Conway, Dolabella, Pérez, Álverez, Micaletto. More to come?

Per comments made to the Idaho Statesman, Blake Bodily signed a three year contract with AC Boise. “That really shows how committed I am to the club,” Bodily said. “I want to be here long term. I don’t see myself even leaving after three years."

A reminder that Blake Bodily had his best season in the #USL-C with AC Boise Head Coach Nate Miller at San Diego Loyal in 2023. 2,318 minutes, five goals, nine assists were all career highs. Really big signing for a club with high expectations as it enters #USL-1.

Per multiple sources, this is the first of several big name signings for AC Boise to be announced in the coming weeks. Told the club is going all in on putting together a winning roster from the start.

AC Boise finally released its first signing announcement, and it's a big one - wingback/midfielder Blake Bodily joins the expansion side after coming up through the Portland Timbers system, followed by seasons with San Diego Loyal and Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Spokane Velocity announced the re-signing of midfielder Andre Lewis. It will be his third season with the club.

FMFC announce the departure of Assistant Coach, Neil Hlavaty. Hlavaty has been a constant on sidelines for the club since its inaugural season. The entire FMFC team thanks him for all he has done to shape the club over the past 7 years and wish him all the best in the future. 🙏

Emiliano Terzaghi joins the @heartsofpine.bsky.social. After 143 games [126 playing time] with 63 goals and 7 assists for the @richmondkickers.bsky.social, he's now heading up North. #UpTheHearts Press Release: www.heartsofpine.com/news/2026/01... 👋 @leagueoneupdater.com @rivercity93.bsky.social

ON THE MOVE: center back Luca Mastrantonio signs with FC Naples after a season with AV Alta

NEWSLETTER: With the USL Championship’s last CBA now expired, I recap how we got here. That, plus: ⭐️ League One signing catch-up 🚂 El Paso’s coaching hire 🧡 Halfway all-Super League picks www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

On the move: Sebastian Vivas signs with his previous Argentine club Dock Sud after departing South Georgia Tormenta in free agency.

Séga Coulibaly announced his retirement from professional soccer yesterday via Instagram. The defender spent 2025 with Portland Hearts of Pine, and closed out a long career that included three seasons with LA Galaxy as well as stints with clubs in France's Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and Championnat National.

New at #Stormwatch912: Niall Reid-Stephen is transferred so we reflect on Jersey Guys and the fact that every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. stormwatch912.blogspot.com/2026/01/some...

Some tape here on Julien Lacher, the 18-year-old winger the Cosmos signed off of NYCFC II. Lacher put up six goals and seven assists in Next Pro last season and really seems to be a coup of a signing.

Moneyball league one style

With yet another record transfer, South Georgia Tormenta is gaining quite the reputation as a stopover for talent looking to head upwards. We dive into Niall Reid-Stephen's move to New Mexico 👀

It's the first day of 2026 and we've already go our first kit drop of the year. @heartsofpine.bsky.social Lighthouse Kit is setting a high bar right off the bat. 🌲🫶

NEW: With the 2025 portion of the USL offseason in the books, I’m picking my favorite signings. From an under-the-radar member of Tampa Bay’s haul to a star prospect heading to the New York Cosmos, see what’s catching my eye. www.backheeled.com/best-usl-cha...

Tied the record transfer fee from USL1 -> USLC, which I believe was previously set by Luis Álvarez going from Charlotte to Tampa Bay.

Alon Drey is locked in for 2026! 🤝