Kiwis in the USL Leagues | USA

Charleston win 5-0. Neither Wynne or Randall in match day squad.

Still no Collier for San Diego. Presumably he's out injured. 
He's played 23 games, 8 starts & scored 2 goals in the USL season.

San Diego after ET lose 3-4 to Phoenix Rising. 3-3 end of NT.

So for the USL Conference semis, possible Kiwi involvement now down to Kyle Adams at Louisville City, and Deklan Wynne & Jesse Randall at Charleston. 

USL Championship - Eastern Conference semifinals

Charleston Battery (Wynne & Randall) host Birmingham Legion.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/29/united-states/mls-reserve-league/charleston-battery/birmingham-legion/4263924/

Louisville City (Kyle Adams) host Detroit City
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/29/united-states/mls-reserve-league/louisville-city/detroit-city/4263895/

Adams a full game as Louisville win 4-0.

Charleston do it tougher, but get up 2-1. No Wynne or Randall.

So USL Eastern Conference final next weekend a Kiwi derby. But Charleston maybe shorn of both their NZers.

Eastern Conference USL final. Charleston host Louisville City.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/05/united-states/mls-reserve-league/charleston-battery/louisville-city/4266936/

No Randall or Wynne for Charleston. Can only presume Wynne has been injured the last few weeks. 
Randall hasn't had a look in all season. Only 111 mins spread over 5 sub appearances.

Kyle Adams starting for Louisville City.

Sacramento are hosting Phoenix Rising in the Western Conference final.

A lifeline for @loucityfc! 🏥#CHSvLOU | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ZT7Ftnuxqb

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) November 5, 2023

Adams gets a late consolation goal for Louisville - His 2nd goal of the season (Remember that hit in the US Open Cup?) As his side bows out of the 2023 season in a 2-1 defeat to Charleston.

Adams 18 USL games for San Diego & then another 16 for Louisville City in 2023.

Will remain on the AWs fringes. Probably needs M Boxall & Tommy Smith too both retire to be in the picture for 2026 WC.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/kyle-adams/444903/

Might be a target for new Auckland franchise.

coochiee

No Randall or Wynne for Charleston. Can only presume Wynne has been injured the last few weeks. 
Randall hasn't had a look in all season. Only 111 mins spread over 5 sub appearances.

Kyle Adams starting for Louisville City.

Sacramento are hosting Phoenix Rising in the Western Conference final.

Randall badly dislocated his shoulder in late May. Cleared to play mid Aug. Released for Olympic Qualifiers Aug/Sept. 

Charleston to host Phoenix Rising (James Musa's old club) in the USL Final. Phoenix won 2-1 in Sacramento.

Charleston were 3rd in the Eastern Conference, and Phoenix down at 6th in the Western Conference.

No Kiwi's currently on the books with them, but North Carolina FC have won the USL 1 Final this afternoon, defeating Charlotte Independence 5-4 on penalties, after finishing 1-1 after E.T.

This is of course Sam Brothertons old club, and more recently, Seth Clark (San Diego State) was training with the first team and playing for the U-23 squad in this season's USL 2. 

CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JS0wK0yAUA

— North Carolina FC (@NorthCarolinaFC) November 6, 2023

Charleston to host Phoenix Rising (James Musa's old club) in the USL Final. Seems unlikely either Deklan Wynne or Jesse Randall will play for Charleston.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/13/united-states/mls-reserve-league/charleston-battery/arizona-united/4267978/

And yes no Kiwis in the USL Final. No Wynne or Randall for Charleston.

Phoenix won the final on pens (1-1 end of NT/ET). Charleston failing to convert their last 3 pens.

Phoenix Rising become USL champs after finishing only 6th in the Western Conference. Ironic as a I recall when Musa was at the club they went on a crazy long record unbeaten run, and were runaway Western Conference winners - only to then be bundled out of the playoffs.

Now we wait for the retained lists to slowly be released over the coming weeks.

Wynne, Dyer & Adams are on multi-year deals, so they should be good to go.

Randall, Musa, Zwetsloot, Brotherton, Brady & Collier are the ones whose futures remain up in the air. Collier is definitely available on a free since his team doesn't exist anymore.

Note that Wynne & Randall's 17 year old teammate Fidel Barajas is being lined up for a potential move to Europe with PSV, Chelsea & Atlético Madrid apparently vying for his services - You'll see him when we play Mexico at U17 World Cup in a few days. 

Anyway, a few new expansion teams coming on board too - North Carolina FC move back to USL Championship next season, and Rhode Island are the new expansion team. 

Another five expansion teams joining the Championship from 2025 to go with four for the USL1 too. Certainly plenty of opportunities about the place.

I think a few of these guys will be on the radar of Auckland FC. They will want some older Kiwis on their books. Doubt many from Europe will be enticed back to NZ. Maybe Pijnaker. 

Rogerson & Oli Whyte. Francis de Vries. Cam Howieson.
ADJ from Sth Africa. Woud from Japan.
Higher profile AWs like Boxy & Tuiloma.

But yeah some of these experienced USL pros (plus Bevan in Canada) could be targets. The new Auckland franchise will want a core of experienced almost journeyman pros, around some talented kids, plus then the visa players. But the the NZ player pool is small after all.

Problematic in that the USL season finishes Oct/Nov, which is way too late for the ALM 24/25 pre season prep. So guys would basically need to sign soon for Auckland, and then play NZ National League early 2024 short term or similar to keep relatively fit.

But anyone playing USL ain't likely to crack an AWs 2026 WC squad. Higher chance if they are in the ALM. Might be enough to entice Wynne, Adams (breaking contract), Collier to move home.

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 '𝟐𝟒 ⚫️🟡

The club can confirm the initial slate of players returning in 2024 and additional roster updates ✍️

— Charleston Battery (@Chas_Battery) December 1, 2023

Deklan Wynne leaves Charleston by way of a mutual contract termination, and is already back in Auckland. 

Jesse Randall didn't have his contract option picked up for next season, but no word on moves for him as yet.

From Flying Kiwis.

Deklan Wynne has arranged a contract termination with Charleston Battery, while Jesse Randall has not had his second year option taken up. Charleston made a run all the way to the grand final where they lost on penalties but Randall barely got a look in all year while Wynne seemed to disappear down the stretch – not playing in any of their four playoff games despite having been a prominent starter for most of the year. Wynne started 24/25 games to begin... then only made three subs apps in the remaining 11.

Kyle Adams was not amongst the first list of roster moves for Louisville City, where he had a strong campaign after being traded for mid-term. No news yet on whether Trevor Zwetsloot will have his second-year option picked up by Pittsburgh Riverhounds but given how he never really established himself there and disappeared in the latter months you’d think probably not. Moses Dyer supposedly signed a multi-year deal with FC Tulsa so we should be all good there. Still waiting on Colorado Springs Switchbacks to do anything, with James Musa up in the air over there.

I'm just going out on a limb here with some pure unadulterated speculation.

Screenshot_2023-12-10-15-38-56-95_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 317.3 KB

Down the bottom there... There's a name we haven't seen or heard of in forever (well, since the U20 World Cup).

The link here is that Antonio Nocerino is the former youth team coach at Potenza Calcio...

Some Sunday arvo speculation for ya's at least.

As you were. 

The Kiwi 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 🇳🇿@loucityfc has re-signed defender @kyleadams_NZ to a multi-year deal.

➡️ https://t.co/R0nCKa6PEt pic.twitter.com/sFO8eYShkT

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) December 11, 2023

Brings the total # of Kiwis playing in the USA for next season up to four. Still months out from another season in the US though, so there is still time.

Numbers are down on the 11 that played MLS USLC/USL1 this season just gone.

Adams, M Boxall, Tuiloma & Dyer are the 4?

Can see 28 yr old Deklan Wynne being on the radar on the new Auckland team, if he doesn't want to return to the US. Otherwise with over 30 clubs in the USL and him being a proven performer at that level (Vancouver II, OKC Energy, Detroit & Charleston) he'd find a club there again somewhere. Much higher chance of getting back in the AWs though, if he was a regular in the ALM.

coochiee

Adams, M Boxall, Tuiloma & Dyer are the 4?

Can see 28 yr old Deklan Wynne being on the radar on the new Auckland team, if he doesn't want to return to the US. Otherwise with over 30 clubs in the USL and him being a proven performer at that level (Vancouver II, OKC Energy, Detroit & Charleston) he'd find a club there again somewhere. Much higher chance of getting back in the AWs though, if he was a regular in the ALM.

Yep those are the four.

Will be interesting to see if there is anyone who may be stepping up to fill the gaps from the college system - Ronan Wynne, Boyd Curry, Thomas Raimbault?

Finn Linder now confirmed as having re-signed with Vancouver WhiteCaps II (MLS Next Pro) alongside Jay Herdman.

MLS Super Draft is next week. Unsure if any US College Kiwis have put their hand up.

NZ U23s reps Finn Linder and Jay Herdman both sticking around in the Vancouver Whitecaps system for next year

Had been hoping Herdman might sneak a cheeky first team debut this year but injury said otherwise #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/PoY40SV1zf

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 11, 2023

Moose is back for the 2024 season!

Read the full story here: https://t.co/rhSQlIMZzC#mycitymyteam #switchbacksfc #rosterupdates pic.twitter.com/Yg3I0vYXby

— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) December 12, 2023

That time of the year when we see players get picked up stateside, and how good to see a couple of Kiwis get picked up recently. 

Although overall #'s still remain down on last season, there's still a lot of time left to see players make some potential moves.

A bit out of left field this one...
 
12 cap All White Sam Brotherton is hanging up the playing boots at 27 years old. 

Screenshot_2024-01-11-16-42-15-27_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 448.53 KB

Maybe some new exciting career path has opened up for him Stateside. Has become home for alot of ex Kiwi footballers, esp those who made networks through the College system, and perhaps always had an eye on life after soccer.

Tim Brown tells an interesting yarn on the B2B podcast, about how he was all set to quit chasing the pro football dream, until the Newcastle Jets offered him a short term contract. He'd missed out on the MLS draft, after which trials in the UK had come to nothing (has UK heritage). Then Craig Moore went to the races & got drunk, was dropped from the Socceroos and Jade North was called up from the Jets in Moore's place. The Jets required a new player to cover North's absence, so Brown is offered a deal and stays in the game.

Pro football can be journey of doors opening & closing with moments of luck - good & bad.

Elliot Collier back to familiar stomping grounds in Indianapolis, signing for Indy Eleven for 2024.

SIGNED ✍️ Forward Elliot Collier returns to the Circle City for the 2024 season

Welcome back Elliot!

📰 ➡️ https://t.co/4ESRtK0tpR pic.twitter.com/LzB9VHz5Xe

— Indy Eleven (@IndyEleven) January 17, 2024

From Flying Kiwis. What are Deklan Wynne & Jesse Randall up to I wonder.
Oh & Ryan Fuetz (trialled with Colorado Switchbacks), back in NZ?


Another USL fella signed up, it’s old mate Elliot Collier and he’s returning to Indy Eleven where he previously  spent some time on loan from Chicago Red Stars. Collier may have won the USL Championship in 2022 (appearing off the bench in the final) but he’s yet to find a steady home in this division. Four different clubs and none of them for more than a single season – albeit that’s about to change as he kits up for Indy Eleven for a second stint six years after the first.

Ironically he got given more support in the MLS than he did in the USL. 54 games for Chicago Fire across three seasons (14 of them starts – with 1 goal and 1 assist). Meanwhile he’s provided 13 goals and 4 assists in 81 USL Championship games (47 starts). Hopefully this is the one where he finally gets to settle in.

Collier joins James Musa (Colorado Springs), Moses Dyer (FC Tulsa), and Kyle Adams (Louisville City) as Kiwis currently signed up for USL 2024.

Rumoured that Riley Bidois is joining Loudoun United in the USL (Eastern Conference), where ex Nix Academy Technical Director Steve Coleman is now working.

New USL season kicks off early March.
https://us.soccerway.com/national/united-states/mls-reserve-league/2024/regular-season/r79602/

USL kicks off.

Musa's Colorado Springs travel to Miami FC.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/usa-miami-fc/colorado-springs/4284768/

Riley Bidois's Loudon United travel to San Anonio.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/san-antonio/loudoun-united/4284770/

Collier's Indy Eleven travel to Oakland Roots
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/oakland-roots/indy-eleven/4284774/

Dyer's FC Tulsa & Kyle Adams's Louisville City both with byes.

Wonder what Trevor Zwetsloot is up to? Released by Pittsburgh. 
Ditto Deklan Wynne? Thought he maybe a chance for Auckland FC. Was an AW as recently as March last year (on the pine against China).

coochiee

USL kicks off.

Musa's Colorado Springs travel to Miami FC.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/usa-miami-fc/colorado-springs/4284768/

Riley Bidois's Loudon United travel to San Anonio.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/san-antonio/loudoun-united/4284770/

Collier's Indy Eleven travel to Oakland Roots
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/10/united-states/mls-reserve-league/oakland-roots/indy-eleven/4284774/

Dyer's FC Tulsa & Kyle Adams's Louisville City both with byes.

Wonder what Trevor Zwetsloot is up to? Released by Pittsburgh. 
Ditto Deklan Wynne? Thought he maybe a chance for Auckland FC. Was an AW as recently as March last year (on the pine against China).

Trevor Zwetsloot has been released. Deklan Wynne, not too sure about, but I recall he travelled back to the US & Canada not too long ago. There was a podcast with his brother Ronan recently who alluded to him looking somewhere, but whether that was abroad or for Auckland, he was vague (as you would be) with the detail.

Would be surprised if Bidois is in the Matchday squad for Loudoun in the near future - as of 20th of February he was still waiting for his US Visa. Although he is on a long deal so they probably see him more as a project player for them over the next couple of years.

Full game for Musa as Colorado Springs lose 2-0.

No Bidois as Loudon draw 2-2.

Collier off  the bench at 66 mins (2-1) in a 2-1 loss for Indy Eleven. 

Thank you Moses! https://t.co/e6xgDvc4oj pic.twitter.com/ZFUY0iabvX

— FC Tulsa (@FCTulsa) March 15, 2024

Moses Dyer is leaving Tulsa by mutual termination. Website story says it is to pursue club deal elsewhere. I guess, like any NZ pro player at the moment whose immediate club future isn't completely tied down, the Auckland rumour will be inevitable. He did grow up in Auckland, after all.

carlind

Thank you Moses! https://t.co/e6xgDvc4oj pic.twitter.com/ZFUY0iabvX

— FC Tulsa (@FCTulsa) March 15, 2024

Moses Dyer is leaving Tulsa by mutual termination. Website story says it is to pursue club deal elsewhere. I guess, like any NZ pro player at the moment whose immediate club future isn't completely tied down, the Auckland rumour will be inevitable. He did grow up in Auckland, after all.

That's a weird one that is. 
I haven't heard his name come up in the conversation of potentially coming back to Auckland FC (unless I'm missing something 🤔).

Recently signed on for 2024 as well, so even if he was coming back he could have had a decent few months getting minutes in the USLC before potentially returning to NZ. Still think he's likely to be picked up in the US in the interim, but an interesting move on the eve of the start of their season.

Maybe thinking about the potential to get to a World Cup?

Louisville City (Adams) travels to El Paso Locomotive.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/united-states/mls-reserve-league/el-paso-locomotive/louisville-city/4284782/

Loudon United (Bidois) hosts North Carolina
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/united-states/mls-reserve-league/loudoun-united/carolina-railhawks/4284777/

Indy Eleven (Collier) travel to one of his former USL clubs Memphis 901
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/united-states/mls-reserve-league/memphis-901/indy-eleven/4284783/

Colorado Springs (Musa) host Detroit City
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/17/united-states/mls-reserve-league/colorado-springs/detroit-city/4284784/

Adams a full game for Louisville in a 1-0 win. Lima Rose (ex CCM) full game for El Paso.

Loudon win 3-1. No Bidois.

Indy Eleven win 2-1, Collier on at 72 mins (2-0). Zach Duncan (ex Glory & Roar) full game for Memphis 901.

Colorado S lose 1-2, Musa an unused sub. CS went down to 10 men at 60 mins.

USL
Louisville City (Kyle Adams) host Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Pittsburgh ex club Trevor Zwetsloot. Wonder what he's up to?
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/united-states/mls-reserve-league/louisville-city/pittsburgh-riverhounds/4284790/

Loudoun (Riley Bidois) travel to Detroit City.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/united-states/mls-reserve-league/detroit-city/loudoun-united/4284792/

Indy Eleven (Collier) host Sacramento Republic
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/24/united-states/mls-reserve-league/indy-eleven/sacramento-republic/4284791/

Colorado Springs (Musa) travel to San Antonio
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/24/united-states/mls-reserve-league/san-antonio/colorado-springs/4284794/


MLS Next Pro
Vancouver II (Herdman & Linder) host Real Monarchs
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/united-states/mls-next-pro/whitecaps-fc-ii/real-monarchs/4320435/

Kyle Adams a full game as Louisville win 3-1.

No Bidois as Loudon lose 2-1.

Collier on at 81 mins (1-1) in a 1-1 draw.

Musa full game in a 2-0 loss for Colorado S.

Herdman & Finn Linder both with full games and an assist each, as Vancouver II win 5-3.

USL
Adams's Louisville City host Birmingham Legion
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/30/united-states/mls-reserve-league/louisville-city/birmingham-legion/4284800/

Collier's Indy Eleven host Detroit City
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/31/united-states/mls-reserve-league/indy-eleven/detroit-city/4284802/

MLS Next Pro
Whitecaps II (Herdman & Linder) host Portland Timbers II
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/30/united-states/mls-next-pro/whitecaps-fc-ii/portland-timbers-u23/4320451/