2019 USL League Two season

Last updated

USL League Two
Season2019
Champion(s) Flint City Bucks
Regular Season Title Des Moines Menace
2020 Hank Steinbrecher Cup qualifier Reading United AC
2020 U.S. Open Cup qualifiers
Matches played495
Goals scored1,657 (3.35 per match)
Biggest home win NYR 6, EVG 0
(May 18)
MIS 7, TXU 1
(May 18)
Biggest away win CCH 1, BVC 8
(June 1)
BLR 1, MAN 8
(June 22)
Highest scoring TOB 7, TCO 3
(July 13)
Longest winning run8 games
Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C.
(May 11 - June 25)
Longest unbeaten run15 games
(entire regular season + first round playoffs)
Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C.
Des Moines Menace
Western Mass Pioneers
Longest winless run14 games
(entire regular season)
Evergreen FC
West Virginia Alliance FC
WSA Winnipeg
Longest losing run8 games
WSA Winnipeg
(June 8 – July 8)
2018
2020
All statistics correct as of August 3, 2019.

The 2019 USL League Two season was the 25th season of what was formerly the Premier Development League, and the first under the new League Two brand. The regular season started on May 3 and ended on July 14, consisting of 72 teams playing across 11 divisions. The Flint City Bucks won the championship, defeating Reading United AC 1–0 in extra time. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Changes from 2018

New teams

A total of 12 new member clubs join League Two for the 2019 season.

TeamCountryCity/areaStadiumFoundedHead coachNotes
Cedar Stars Rush U.S. Teaneck, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University 2018Anthony NixonExpansion [6]
Dalton Red Wolves SC U.S. Dalton, Georgia David Stanton Field 2018Drew CourtneyExpansion [7]
Daytona SC U.S. Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Stadium 2019Andrea BergmannExpansion [8]
Discoveries SC U.S. Rock Hill, South Carolina Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex 2019Nathan WilliamsExpansion [9]
Florida Elite SA U.S. Jacksonville, Florida Bartram Trail High School 2014TBDExpansion [10]
Green Bay Voyageurs FC U.S. Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin Capital Credit Union Park 2018 Brian Kamler Expansion [11]
Manhattan SC U.S. Bronx, New York Gaelic Park
Randall's Island
2018Colin HodgeExpansion [12]
Park City Red Wolves SC U.S. Park City, Utah Dozier Field 2018Patrick RennieExpansion [13] [14]
Tormenta FC 2 U.S. Statesboro, Georgia Eagle Field 2016Ian CameronExpansion [15]
Sarasota Metropolis FC U.S. Sarasota, Florida Robert L. Taylor Community Complex2019 Massimo Marazzina Expansion [16]
Virginia Beach United FC U.S. Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach Sportsplex 2019Matt EllingerExpansion [17]
Wake FC U.S. Holly Springs, North Carolina Ting Park2019 Gary Heale Expansion [18]

Moves

Name changes

On hiatus

Folded / left

Standings

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Western Mass Pioneers 141103317+2436 Eastern Conference playoffs
2 GPS Portland Phoenix 149322920+929
3 Manhattan SC 148603320+1324
4 Boston Bolts 145722328517
5 Black Rock FC 1458123341116
6 Seacoast United Phantoms 1447319311215
7 Westchester Flames 143742532713
8 AC Connecticut 142932132119
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Mid Atlantic Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Reading United AC 1410133213+1933 Eastern Conference playoffs
2 Ocean City Nor'easters 146352722+523 [a]
3 Long Island Rough Riders 145182214+823
4 New York Red Bulls U-23 145362618+821
5 Cedar Stars Rush 144641620416
6 Lehigh Valley United 144732130915
7 F.A. Euro 142751625911
8 Evergreen FC 140861129186
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. Ocean City Nor'easters wins the tiebreaker over Long Island Rough Riders on head-to-head points. (4-1)

South Atlantic Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 North Carolina Fusion U23 148422418+626 Eastern Conference playoffs
2 North Carolina FC U23 148602119+224
3 Virginia Beach United FC 146622222020
4 Tri-Cities Otters 145542828019
5 Lionsbridge FC 145632624+218
6 Tobacco Road FC 145722929017
7 Wake FC 1447312221015
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Southern Conference

Deep South Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Tormenta FC 2 1410223311+2232 Southern Conference playoffs
2 SC United Bantams 149322215+729
3 Dalton Red Wolves SC 147613024+622
4 Charlotte Eagles 145452429520
5 Discoveries SC 14310111251410
6 Peachtree City MOBA 1421111127167
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Southeast Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 The Villages SC 149143213+1931 Southern Conference playoffs
2 Treasure Coast Tritons 148422714+1326
3 Daytona SC 147341310+325
4 Florida Elite SA 147432517+824
5 FC Miami City 145542424019
6 Lakeland Tropics 144732329615
7 Sarasota Metropolis FC 144822227514
8 Weston FC 141130941323
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Mid South Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 1410045114+3734 Southern Conference playoffs
2 Corpus Christi FC 148424328+1526
3 Mississippi Brilla 146353429+523
4 AHFC Royals 145452622+420
5 Texas United 1421111346337
6 Houston FC 1411031139286
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Chicago FC United 12831279+1825 Central Conference playoffs
2 Flint City Bucks 126332017+321
3 Cincinnati Dutch Lions 125341715+219
4 Dayton Dutch Lions 125611719216
5 West Virginia Alliance FC 12093728213
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Heartland Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Des Moines Menace 141103304+2636 Central Conference playoffs
2Kaw Valley FC14734189+925
3 Thunder Bay Chill 146621919020 [a]
4 Green Bay Voyageurs 145451815+320
5 St. Louis Lions 144731720315
6 WSA Winnipeg 140131540351
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. Thunder Bay Chill and Green Bay Voyageurs were tied on head-to-head points. (3-3)

Western Conference

Northwest Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Calgary Foothills FC 149322515+1029 Western Conference playoffs
2 Seattle Sounders FC U-23 147342413+1125
3 Lane United FC 145452217+520
4 Victoria Highlanders 146712222019
5 Portland Timbers U23 1437419331413
6 TSS FC Rovers (J)1439219311211
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(J) Juan de Fuca Plate

Mountain Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Colorado Pride Switchbacks U23 129213015+1528 Western Conference playoffs
2 Ogden City SC 126422319+420
3 Park City Red Wolves 123631826812
4 Albuquerque Sol FC 122821223118
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots

Southwest Division

PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 FC Golden State Force 1411214214+2834 Western Conference playoffs
2 Ventura County Fusion 149413824+1428
3 Southern California Seahorses 146442119+222
4 Orange County SC U-23 144552826+217 [a]
5 Santa Cruz Breakers FC 145722735817
6 San Francisco City FC 1447326421615
7 San Diego Zest FC 1437422321013
8 San Francisco Glens SC 1428423351210
Source: 2019 USL League Two standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head record; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) record against the smallest group; 6) points earned against top four conference finishers; 7) point percentage outside smallest group; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. Orange County SC U-23 won the tiebreaker over Santa Cruz Breakers FC on head-to-head points. (6-0)

Playoffs

Conference Semifinals Conference Finals National Semifinals National Championship
            
MS Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 3
WC SC United Bantams 0
MS Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 1
Southern Conference
DS Tormenta FC 2 5
DS Tormenta FC 2 3
SE The Villages SC 1
South Tormenta FC 2 2
East Reading United AC (a.e.t.) 3
NE Western Mass Pioneers 3
SA North Carolina Fusion U23 1
NE Western Mass Pioneers 0
Eastern Conference
MA Reading United AC 1
MA Reading United AC (p) 1(5)
WC GPS Portland Phoenix 1(4)
East Reading United AC 0
Central Flint City Bucks (a.e.t.) 1
SW FC Golden State Force 4
MT Col. Pride Switchbacks U23 0
SW FC Golden State Force 2
Western Conference
WC Ventura County Fusion 1
NW Calgary Foothills FC 2
WC Ventura County Fusion 3
West FC Golden State Force 0
Central Flint City Bucks 1
HL1 Des Moines Menace 3(2)
GL2 Flint City Bucks (p) 3(4)
GL2 Flint City Bucks 4
Central Conference
HL2 Kaw Valley FC 2
GL1 Chicago FC United 2
HL2Kaw Valley FC (a.e.t.) 3

Bold = winner

Conference Championships

The League Two Conference Championships will be held over the weekend of July 19–21. Matches will be played at: Whittier, CA (Western Conference, host FC Golden State Force); Reading, PA (Eastern Conference, host Reading United AC); Des Moines, IA (Central Conference, host Des Moines Menace); and Columbia, SC (Southern Conference, host SC United Bantams). The four conference champions will advance to the League Two semifinals. [22]

Eastern Conference

July 20, 2019Conference Semifinal Western Mass Pioneers 3–1 North Carolina Fusion U23 Gurski Stadium
West Lawn, Pennsylvania
4:00 PM
Report

Southern Conference

July 19, 2019Conference Semifinal South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 3–1 The Villages SC Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, SC
5:00 PM Report
July 20, 2019Conference Semifinal SC United Bantams 0–3 Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, SC
9:00 AM Report
July 21, 2019Conference Final Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 1–5 South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, SC
7:30 PM
Report

Central Conference

July 19, 2019Conference Semifinal Chicago FC United 2–3 (a.e.t.) Kaw Valley FC Drake Stadium
Des Moines, Iowa
5:30 PM CDT
Report
July 21, 2019Conference FinalKaw Valley FC2–4 Flint City Bucks Drake Stadium
Des Moines, Iowa
5:00 PM CDT
Report

Western Conference

July 20, 2019Conference Semifinal Calgary Foothills FC 2–3 Ventura County Fusion Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California
4:00 PM PDT
Report

USL League Two Championship

July 27, 2019National Semifinal Flint City Bucks 1–0 FC Golden State Force Atwood Stadium
Flint, Michigan
7:30 PM CDT
Report 1 Report 2 Attendance: 4,633
July 28, 2019National Semifinal South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 2–3 (a.e.t.) Reading United AC Erk Russell Park
Statesboro, Georgia
8:00 PM
Report

Final

August 3, 2019National Final Flint City Bucks 1–0 (a.e.t.) Reading United AC Atwood Stadium
Flint, Michigan
7:30 PM EDT Report
Attendance: 7,198

Awards

All-League and All-Conference Teams

[30] [31] [32] [33] [28]

Eastern Conference

F: Deri Corfe (OCN) *, Thibaut Jacquel (LBR), Donnett Sackie (VBU)
M: Jack Beer (MAN) *, Manuel Ferriol (LIR), Taylor Gray (TRI), Felipe Hideki (REA) *
D: Gideon Betz (LBR), Lamine Conte (REA) *, Friedrich Peter (VBU)
G: Blake Mullen (WMA)

Central Conference

F: Yuri Farkas (FCB), Sullivan Oliveira Silva (TBC), Gerit Wintermeyer (CHI) *
M: Giuseppe Barone (FCB), Jackson Dietrich (DAY), Jorge Guinovart (CIN), Nicolás Perea (DMM)
D: Reece Hands (CIN), Leon Jones (CHI), James Thomas (DMM) *
G: Jordan Bell (DMM)

Southern Conference

F: J.J. Donnelly (SGT), Leonardo Paiva (VIL) *, Jonathan Ricketts (DRW)
M: Adrian Billhardt (SGT) *, Luca Mayr (SGT) *, Kobe Perez (SGT), Harrison Roberts (SCU)
D: Artur De Luca (PCM), Shalom Dutey (CHE), Kyle Ferguson (SCU) *
G: Robert Edwards (SCU) *

Western Conference

F: Manuel Medina (SCS), Enoch Mushagalusa (CPS), Daniel Trejo (GSF)
M: Nabilai Kibunguchy (SFG), Julio Rubio (ABU), Shun Takano (VIC), Shizu Yohena (SDZ)
D: Ray Estrada (SCS), Jordan Haynes (TSS), Edward Venta-Yepes (CPS)
G: Albert Escuin (LAN)

* denotes All-League player

References

  1. "2019 Conference Alignment: Western Conference". USL League Two. January 22, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  2. "2019 Conference Alignment: Central Conference". USL League Two. January 23, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  3. "2019 Conference Alignment: Eastern Conference". USL League Two. January 24, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  4. "2019 Conference Alignment: Southern Conference". USL League Two. January 25, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  5. "USL League Two Unveils Full 2019 Schedule". USL League Two. January 30, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  6. Staff, USL League Two (September 19, 2018). "PDL Unveils Cedar Stars Rush as New Member". USL League Two. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. Staff, USL League Two (December 28, 2018). "Dalton Revealed As USL League Two Team". USL League Two. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  8. Staff, USL League Two (January 21, 2019). "Daytona SC Set To Join USL League Two". USL League Two. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  9. "Discoveries SC to Launch PDL Team in 2019". Premier Development League (PDL). March 8, 2018.
  10. "Florida Elite Soccer Academy to Join PDL in 2019". Premier Development League (PDL). April 5, 2018. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  11. "Green Bay To Launch USL League Two Club In 2019". USL League Two. October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  12. "USL League Two Unveils Manhattan SC As New Member". USL League Two. January 17, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  13. Staff, USL League Two (December 28, 2018). "Park City To Join USL League Two Ahead Of 2019 Season". USL League Two. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  14. Ramsey, Ben (January 4, 2019). "Updated: Park City to get elite amateur soccer team". Park Record. Park City, UT. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  15. "Tormenta FC Announces Rebrand of its USL League Two Team". Tormenta FC. January 23, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  16. "Sarasota Joins USL League Two Ahead of 2019 Season". USL League Two. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  17. "Virginia Beach United Joins USL League Two Ahead Of 2019 Season". USL League Two. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  18. "Wake FC to Join League Two in 2019". USL League Two. April 13, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  19. "Flint City Bucks Continue Tradition In USL League Two". USL League Two. January 30, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  20. "North Carolina Fusion U-23 Prepares for New Era in League Two". USL League Two Staff. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  21. "Fresno FC U23s and Ladies Teams Placed On Hiatus". Fresno Football Club. February 1, 2019. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  22. "Playoff Matchups Set". USL League Two. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  23. "Deri Corfe named 2019 League Two MVP". USL League Two. August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
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  25. "Blake Mullen earns League Two Golden Glove Award". USL League Two. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  26. "Kyle Ferguson named League Two Young Player of the Year". USL League Two. August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  27. "Coach of the Year: Alan McCann". USL League Two. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  28. 1 2 "2019 USL League Two Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  29. "Lamine Conte Voted League Two Defensive Player of the Year". USL League Two. August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  30. "2019 Eastern Conference Team of the Season". USL League Two. August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  31. "2019 Central Conference Team of the Season". USL League Two. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  32. "2019 Southern Conference Team of the Season". USL League Two. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  33. "2019 Western Conference Team of the Season". USL League Two. August 16, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.