2021 USL League Two season

Last updated

USL League Two
Season2021
DatesMay 5 – July 18
(regular season)
Champions Des Moines Menace
Regular season title Des Moines Menace
2022 Hank Steinbrecher Cup qualifiers Des Moines Menace
Flint City Bucks
2022 U.S. Open Cup qualifiers Chicago FC United
Des Moines Menace
North Carolina Fusion U23
Ocean City Nor'easters
Park City Red Wolves SC
Portland Timbers U23
South Carolina United
The Villages SC
West Chester United SC
Western Mass Pioneers
Matches played495
Goals scored1,616 (3.26 per match)
Longest winning run9 matches
Des Moines Menace
(May 15 – June 24)
Longest unbeaten run12 matches
Western Mass Pioneers
(May 15 – July 9)
Longest winless run14 matches
(entire regular season)
Dayton Dutch Lions
Westchester Flames
Longest losing run11 matches
FC Wichita
(May 22 – July 10)
← 2020
(Cancelled)
2022 →
All statistics correct as of July 31, 2021.

The 2021 USL League Two season is the 27th season of the USL League Two, the top pre-professional soccer league in the United States, since its establishment in 1995. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contents

The regular season started on May 5 and concluded on July 18. 75 teams participated in this season. [1] The Southwest Division teams elected not to play due to COVID-19 concerns. [2]

Team changes

New teams

Departing teams

Name changes

Teams

Note: Teams lined out are on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standings

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Western Mass Pioneers 1410223412+22322.29Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Boston Bolts 1410042916+13302.14
3 Seacoast United Phantoms 149233319+14292.07
4 Black Rock FC 144371828−10151.07
5 FC Málaga City 14158724−1780.57
6 AC Connecticut 1412111335−2250.36
Source: USL

Mid Atlantic Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 West Chester United SC 141121296+23352.50Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Ocean City Nor'easters 149324012+28302.14
3 Northern Virginia FC 148242721+6261.86
4 Philadelphia Lone Star FC 145092228−615 [lower-alpha 1] 1.07 [lower-alpha 1]
5 Reading United AC 144371827−9151.07
6 Lehigh Valley United 1431101839−21100.71
7 Real Central New Jersey 142391031−2190.64
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Philadelphia Lone Star FC wins the tiebreaker over Reading United AC on goal differential.

Metropolitan Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Long Island Rough Riders 14941217+14312.21Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Cedar Stars Rush 148332815+13271.93
3 New York Red Bulls U-23 147432310+13251.79
4 Manhattan SC 147342815+13241.71
5 FC Motown 146261815+3201.43
6 New Jersey Copa FC 145361518−3181.29
7 F.A. Euro 144551921−2171.21
8 Morris Elite SC 14329828−20110.79
9 Westchester Flames 1402121344−3120.14
Source: USL

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Kalamazoo FC 149412914+15312.21Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Flint City Bucks 149233510+25292.07
3 Kings Hammer FC 148422517+8282.00
4 Grand Rapids FC 147523517+18261.86
5 South Bend Lions 145452717+10191.36
6 Oakland County FC 145362832−4181.29
7 Toledo Villa FC 143472240−18130.93
8 Fort Wayne FC 141581432−1880.57
9 Dayton Dutch Lions 1401131450−3610.07
Source: USL

Heartland Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Des Moines Menace (C)121101327+25332.75Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Chicago FC United 12921319+22292.42
3 St. Louis Scott Gallagher 126242420+4201.67
4Kaw Valley FC124081831−13121.00
5 Green Bay Voyageurs 112271023−1380.73
6 FC Wichita 110011530−2500.00
Source: USL
(C) Champions

Mid South Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Mississippi Brilla 138322611+15272.08Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Corpus Christi FC 137242015+5231.77
3 Texas United 146352019+1211.50
4 AHFC Royals 145542524+1201.43
5 Little Rock Rangers 1461717170191.36
6 Houston FC 145181627−11161.14
7 Round Rock SC 144371521−6151.07
8 Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 143472227−5130.93
Source: USL

Southern Conference

South Atlantic Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 North Carolina Fusion U23 1411124813+35342.43Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Lionsbridge FC 149233816+2229 [lower-alpha 1] 2.07 [lower-alpha 1]
3 West Virginia United 149233120+11292.07
4 Tri-Cities Otters 147342816+12241.71
5 Wake FC 144372133−12151.07
6 North Carolina FC U23 1431101538−23100.71
7 Tobacco Road FC 1431101244−32100.71
8 Virginia Beach United FC 142391225−1390.64
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Lionsbridge FC wins the tiebreaker over West Virginia United on goal differential.

Deep South Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 SC United Bantams 1411213215+17352.50Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Tormenta FC 2 1410133312+21312.21
3 East Atlanta FC 146351824−6211.50
4 Asheville City SC 146261620−4201.43
5 Peachtree City MOBA 145272225−317 [lower-alpha 1] 1.21 [lower-alpha 1]
6 Charlotte Eagles 145272125−4171.21
7 Charlotte Independence 2 144462022−2161.14
8 Dalton Red Wolves 144191424−10130.93
9 Southern Soccer Academy 1431101322−9100.71
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Peachtree City MOBA wins the tiebreaker over Charlotte Eagles on total goals scored.

Southeast Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 The Villages SC 10811195+14252.50Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Tampa Bay United 105321912+7181.80
3 Florida Elite SA 105141411+3161.60
4 Weston FC 10235816−890.90
5 FC Miami City 102261623−78 [lower-alpha 1] 0.80 [lower-alpha 1]
6 FC Florida U23 10226817−980.80
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. 1 2 FC Miami City wins the tiebreaker over FC Florida U23 on goal differential.

Western Conference

Mountain Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Park City Red Wolves 105232420+4171.70Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Colorado Rush SC 104241817+1141.40
3 Ogden City SC 103251823−5111.10
Source: USL

Northwest Division

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Portland Timbers U23s 1210113011+19312.58Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 PDX FC 127143324+9221.83
3 OVF Alliance 123271626−10110.92
4 Lane United FC 121291836−1850.42
Source: USL

Tie breakers

  1. ^
    League games refer solely to games that count towards the regular season standings. Open Cup specific games are not “League games” when it comes to determining placement in the League standings. (When using these criteria as tiebreakers for Open Cup groups, “League games” should be interpreted as only games that count toward Open Cup group standings).
  2. ^
    Should more than two (2) teams involved have played an unequal number of total games this tie breaker will be skipped.
  3. ^
    Game Average: Tie Breaker / number of games played (i.e. goals scored / number of games played).
  4. ^
    Grouping: Term used to describe the primary unit in which a team competes (i.e. Southwest Division).
  5. ^
    Point Percentage: Number of total points earned / maximum possible points (3 per game).

Playoffs

Bracket

Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals National Semifinals National Final
               
S2 The Villages SC 2
S8 East Atlanta FC 1
S2 The Villages SC 2
S4 Tormenta FC 2 (a.e.t.)4
S4 Tormenta FC 2 2
S5 Lionsbridge FC 0
S4 Tormenta FC 2 2
Southern Conference
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 (a.e.t.)4
S1 SC United Bantams 3
S7 West Virginia United 1
S1 SC United Bantams 1
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 (a.e.t.)2
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 5
S6 Tampa Bay United 0
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 3
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 1
E1 West Chester United SC 2
E8 New York Red Bulls U-23 1
E1 West Chester United SC 1
E5 Ocean City Nor'easters 0
E4 Boston Bolts 0
E5 Ocean City Nor'easters 1
E1 West Chester United SC 0
Eastern Conference
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 1
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 4
E6 Cedar Stars Rush 0
E2 Western Mass Pioneers (p)0 (5)
E7 Seacoast United Phantoms 0 (4)
E3 Long Island Rough Riders 1
E7 Seacoast United Phantoms (a.e.t.)2
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 0
C1 Des Moines Menace 1
C1 Des Moines Menace 5
C8 Texas United 0
C1 Des Moines Menace 1
C5 Flint City Bucks 0
C4 Chicago FC United 1
C5 Flint City Bucks 3
C1 Des Moines Menace 2
Central Conference
C2 Kalamazoo FC 1
C2 Kalamazoo FC 3
C6 Corpus Christi FC 1
C2 Kalamazoo FC (p)1 (4)
C3 Mississippi Brilla FC 1 (1)
C3 Mississippi Brilla FC 3
C7 Kings Hammer FC 1
C1 Des Moines Menace 2
W1 Portland Timbers U23s 0
W1 Portland Timbers U23s (p)3 (4)
Western Conference
W2 Park City Red Wolves 3 (2)

[4] [5]

USL League Two Championship

July 31, 2021 Des Moines Menace 1–0 North Carolina Fusion U23 Valley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:30 PM CDT
  • Manel Busquets Soccerball shade.svg55'
 Report
Report 		Attendance: 7,342
Referee: Carl Armstrong

Championship MVP: Manel Busquets (DMM)

Awards

AwardWinnerTeamReasonRef.
Defender of the Year Flag of England.svg Toby Sims SC United Bantams 1,108 minutes; two goals; one assist [6]
Golden Glove Flag of the United States.svg Dane Jacomen West Chester United 0.41 Goals Against Average; 9 Shutouts; 88.4% Save percentage [7]
Young (U20) Player of the Year Flag of the United States.svg Zemedkun Rodriguez Cedar Stars Rush 991 minutes; seven goals; one assist [8]
Assists Champion Flag of Brazil.svg Joao Gomiero North Carolina Fusion U23 8 Assists [9]
Flag of England.svg Jake Nicholson West Virginia United
Golden Boot Flag of Argentina.svg Nicolás Molina West Virginia United 16 Goals in 13 games [10] [11]
Most Valuable Player
Coach of the Year Flag of Scotland.svg Mark McKeever Des Moines Menace 16 of 17 games won [12]
Goal of the Year Flag of Mexico.svg Enrique Banuelos Kalamazoo FC vs Mississippi Brilla FC [13]
Save of the Year Flag of the United States.svg Trevor McMullen East Atlanta FC Penalty kick save vs Tormenta FC 2 [14]
Goalkeeper of the Year Flag of the United States.svg Drew Romig Tormenta FC 2 0.31 Goals Against Average, 5 Shutouts [15]

All-League and All-Conference Teams

[16] [17] [18] [19] [15]

Eastern Conference

F: Tyler Bagley (BOS) *, Simon Becher (OCN), Amara Sesay (MAN)
M: Zemedkun Rodriguez (CSR), Conor Bradley (WCU), Okan Golge (NJC), Ryan Becher (REA)
D: Maurice Williams (NYR), Shane Bradley (WCU), Luca Mellor (WCU) *
G: Jan Hoffelner (NJC)

Central Conference

F: Cyrus Harmon (KAL) *, Jalen James (MBR), Pol Monells (TEX)
M: Manel Busquets (DMM), Daniel Barlow (KHM), Daire O’Riordan (KAL) *, Harvey Slade (FCB)
D: Jordan Skelton (DMM) *, George Proctor (FCB), Paul Efang (KAL)
G: Alejandro Chavarria (MBR)

Southern Conference

F: Alexis Ledoux (SGT), Charles Touche (LIO), Nicolas Molina (WVU) *
M: Arnaud Baron (SCU) *, Joao Gomiero (NCF) *, Gabriel Cabral (SGT) *, Daniel Oliveira (VIL)
D: Alex Henderson (SCU), Toby Sims (SCU) *, Cristobal Molina (NCF)
G: Drew Romig (SGT) *

Western Conference

F: Ivan Mykhailenko (POR), Jose Carlos González (LAN), Evan Hoover (OVF)
M: David Brog (POR), Jose Sosa (POR), Wesley Frankel (OVF), Henry Cromack (LAN)
D: Esai Easley (POR), Emory Rapaport (POR), Carter Payne (PDX)
G: Albert Escuin (LAN)

* denotes All-League player

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References

  1. ↑ "USL League Two Reveals Schedule for 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ "USL League Two's Southwest Division to Forgo the 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. April 6, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  3. ↑ "2021 SEASON UPDATE FROM TONY GLAVIN". February 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "USL League Two Announces Expanded Playoff Structure for the 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  5. ↑ "League Two Announces Matchups for the 2021 League Two Playoffs". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Toby Sims Voted the 2021 League Two Defender of the Year". USL League Two. August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Dane Jacomen Named Recipient of the 2021 League Two Golden Glove Award". USL League Two. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Zemedkun Rodriguez Named 2021 League Two Young Player of the Year". USL League Two. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Joao Gomiero and Jake Nicholson Share 2021 Assist Champion Award". USL League Two. August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Nicolas Molina Named Recipient of the 2021 Golden Boot Award". USL League Two. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Nicolas Molina Named 2021 League Two MVP". USL League Two. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Mark McKeever Named 2021 League Two Coach of the Year". USL League Two. August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Fan's Choice for Goal of the Year". USL League Two. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Fan's Choice for Save of the Year". USL League Two. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "USL League Two 2021 All-League Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  16. ↑ "USL League Two 2021 Eastern Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  17. ↑ "USL League Two 2021 Central Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. ↑ "USL League Two 2021 Southern Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  19. ↑ "USL League Two 2021 Western Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
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