It’s that part of January where I’m mentally like “damn I wish I could quit my job and just cover soccer”

Swan was at his best as a No. 9 with Rapids 2 in Next Pro and with IU, as you can see across his finishes here. Typically ambitious move from Charleston.

Enormous move for New Mexico. United clicked when they leaned into a slightly more vertical approach that maximized speed on the flanks, and Reid-Stephen's mix of pace with end product is made for that kind of soccer. He should excel in the Championship.

The USL offseason has been historically busy — we've seen spending sprees, free agent splashes, and new records 👀 But which signings stand out above the rest? @usltactics.com examines the best offseason moves (so far) ⤵️

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...

Start your 2026 right by checking in with The USL Show! We catch up on the latest about the now-expired Championship CBA and then reflect on the year that was. www.youtube.com/live/ATimRzY...

Live in five to talk about the expiry of the current USL Championship CBA and reflect on the year that was!

Because I lead a very exciting social life, I’ll be podcasting tonight. Drop any questions or favorite 2025 USL moments below, and then come join us to talk CBA and reflect on the year.

Third try. USLPA director Connor Tobin on @mkickaround.bsky.social right now with CBA expiring tonight. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBf...

A deal for the Charleston Battery to send USL star Juan David Torres on loan to Peruvian club Sport Boys is close, per source. Sport Boys will have a $400,000 purchase option — that would make Torres' Charleston exit one of the richest outgoing moves in USL history. 🇵🇪 💰

NEW: It's the end-of-year special for the newsletter. First up, I take nearly 400 USL free agents and rank them by position – who are the best players left on the market? Then, I get self-indulgent and comb through the year in movies. Check in! www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

2025 was a big year for Backheeled, filled with more and better U.S. soccer coverage than ever before. To our paid subscribers: thank you! None of our work would be possible without you. A look back — and a look forward to 2026 ⤵️

The radio station at my gym just played an ad for the Knicks voiced by Mike Watts

NEW: It's the end-of-year special for the newsletter. First up, I take nearly 400 USL free agents and rank them by position – who are the best players left on the market? Then, I get self-indulgent and comb through the year in movies. Check in! www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

Sources: Lexington SC has signed Phillip Goodrum from Louisville City. Goodrum, 28, joins Lexington after 44 appearances, 18 goals, and two assists for Louisville over 2,461 minutes. Of note, Lexington and Louisville face each other to open the USL Championship season on March 6. #lexgo #doop

Announcing new contracts on Christmas Eve without advance notice? That'll get a club on the Naughty list.

The new USL CBA should include bonuses for my annual top 50

Tekiela is a proven No. 9/No. 10 hybrid player that seems perfect for Vincenzo Candela's attacking line. One of Omaha's biggest strengths late in 2025 was their depth and versatility up top, and Tekiela is purpose-built to provide that in 2026.

NEWSLETTER: The first half of the Super League campaign is in the books, so I check in with the action across the final weekend of 2025. That, plus a deep dive into various signings from across the Championship and League One. www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

Not going to say I'm back, but I did hold a microphone today: ❓ Who is on the Legion Roster 🏆 No US Open Cup 🦌 Path for Glory is Difficult 🖊️ Who Should We Sign 📅 12/31 is Coming Hammering Down Link Below⬇️⬇️ open.spotify.com/episode/62YO...

I can’t even sustain the performative “maybe the defense is thin” bit, this roster is actually ridiculous

NEWSLETTER: The first half of the Super League campaign is in the books, so I check in with the action across the final weekend of 2025. That, plus a deep dive into various signings from across the Championship and League One. www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

Even while playing somewhat further upfield and falling out of favor late in the year, Rodriguez’s numbers were stellar. We know what he can be in the Detroit system – statement move.

The groupings and schedule for the 2026 Prinx Tires #USLCup were announced this week as part of the full calendar rollout. I took a look at which #USL-C and #USL-1 clubs are the early favorites, dark horses and potential wild cards in all seven groups. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

Pack has probably been League One's best goalkeeper for the past three or four years, and his advanced numbers remained elite with Tormenta in 2025. We might have a legit competition for the starting spot in Tampa Bay!

ICYMI: I look back on my January predictions for the USL season, which were very bad. www.backheeled.com/revisiting-m...

Vincent is so astute tactically, and he couldn’t be a nicer guy. Really excited to see how he fares going forward. I just talked to him for Backheeled post-title, and I think that all comes through. www.backheeled.com/how-rob-vinc...

It's been a busy start to free agency / acquisition season across the #USL-C. Here are 12 moves that caught my eye, and the impact they could have on their new clubs in 2026. www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

My favorite humiliation ritual of the year! I locked in 10 predictions for the USL year back in January, and now I’m looking back to see where I went wrong and what it all means.

So I'm officially thinking it's a 4-4-2? This depth chart is silly good.

Come get caught up on the USL offseason with This League! We dive into the League One graduating class, talk about Tampa Bay’s big start, and more. www.youtube.com/live/MghHBiK...

In a very challenging Texoma setup, Kilwien did in 2025 what he's always done at the USL level: combine sharp long-range passing with defensive efficiency. Love the business Miami's doing relative to L1 so far.

Two signings I love today: first up, Cristian Parano is back in San Antonio on a multi-year deal. He's still the best dribbler in this league, and the chemistry between him, Jorge Hernandez, and Mikey Maldonado is going to be mouth-watering. www.sanantoniofc.com/news/2025/12...

This is the best resource in the universe btw

Really interesting quote from LeBlanc in this piece, followed by a couple of video illustrations from his work with the Union II and U.S. U-18s. Going to be very interested to see how @brooklynfc.bsky.social builds out ahead of its first #USL-C season next March.

Marlon LeBlanc has been a serial winner and masterful player developer with Philadelphia Union II and the US U-18s, but what makes him tick? As LeBlanc takes over Brooklyn FC ahead of their expansion season, I talked to him about vision for 2026 and beyond. www.usltactics.com/in-conversat...

NEWSLETTER: After a mixed 2025, San Antonio FC is making major offseason progress. I break down why Mikey Maldonado and Akeem Ward are key additions. That, plus: 🔵 DC Power in possession 🐎 Lexi Missimo’s return 📝 More signing news www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

Lovely business for Miami, who get one of the most dynamic left-footers in the USL. Tunbridge is incredibly dynamic coming off the wing, and he'll give Miami a sense of ingenuity between the lines that wasn't always there in 2025.

Billhardt has suffered through some injuries over the years, but he's one of the most aggressive final-third dribblers in the USL at his best. Really good pick-up for Omaha here.

I don't think the Rowdies need five elite forwards

NEWSLETTER: After a mixed 2025, San Antonio FC is making major offseason progress. I break down why Mikey Maldonado and Akeem Ward are key additions. That, plus: 🔵 DC Power in possession 🐎 Lexi Missimo’s return 📝 More signing news www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...

As noted previously by @usltactics.com veteran defender Aaron Guillen is headed to Las Vegas Lights on a multi-year deal. #USL-C www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

ICYMI: I dug into the USL’s structure – how league headquarters dominates revenues, how clubs can still try to reach sustainability, and what that means for the future. Check in on Backheeled. www.backheeled.com/usl-ownershi...

Couldn't do much better if you want to replace Cristian Parano in the right halfspace and start to make up for Rodrigo Lopez's retirement. Rodriguez is the sort of consistent creative presence that ought to thrive for Sacramento.

With 0.52 xG+xA per 90 in about 1,500 minutes, Miglietti's production was at the midpoint between Ollie Wright and Taylor Calheira. I'm not saying he'll be that great, but those are the underlying numbers you like to see.

Compare it to any other American sports league, and the USL is unique. In the face of that limiting structure, how can clubs thrive? I spoke to ownership at Detroit City and One Knox to find out. www.backheeled.com/usl-ownershi...

> multi-day assault of press releases sickos everywhere rejoice

me every time the rowdies make a signing announcement

Prince Edward Island knows ball