TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the 2021 USL Championship All-League Teams on Monday as standout players from the past regular season were honored for their performances. Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and forward Neco Brett each earned a selection on the All-League Second Team.
VanOekel organized the second-best defensive side in the USLC in 2021, one of just two teams with a sub-zero goals against average (0.96) on the season. On his own merit, MVO finished the year with nine clean sheets, which tied for third-most in the league, as well as 80 saves, and his -8.36 differential in Goals Conceded over Expected Goals was league-leading.
Brett led Legion FC in goals scored with 18, a tally good for fifth-most in the USLC this season and a career high. He also paced his team in shots, with 61, was fifth in chances created, with 32, and was tied for fifth in assists with three. This is his second All-League selection, following a Second Team nod in 2019 while with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
The 2021 USL Championship All-League Team was voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
The finalists for the 2021 Championship Awards will be announced on Tuesday, preceding the 2021 USL Championship Final, which will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC in the United States on Sunday, November 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
2021 USL Championship All-League First Team
GK – Evan Louro, Tampa Bay Rowdies: In his second season in Tampa Bay, Evan Louro led the Championship with 14 shutouts – good for second-most in a regular season in league history – and posted a 0.74 goals-against average while playing 31 of 32 regular season games for the Atlantic Division winner.
D – Paco Craig, Miami FC: Making his return to the Championship in Miami, Paco Craig earned a third All-League First Team selection as he starred in the center of his new club’s back line. The English center back finished tied for the league-lead among defenders with 198 recoveries and fourth overall with 134 clearances, while also posting a 63.9 percent duel success rate and 62.6 aerial duel success rate, earning a +7.50 Goals Added mark to lead all center backs in the Championship.
D – Jonathan Gomez, Louisville City FC: The 18-year-old standout had a remarkable year that saw him named in the preliminary roster for the United States to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, and individually Jonathan Gomez proved a standout two-way player for LouCity as he recorded two goals, eight assists and 44 key passes offensively while recording 43 interceptions and a 75 percent tackle success rate defensively.
D – Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Voted to the All-League First Team for a fifth consecutive season, Forrest Lasso was the centerpiece of a three-man back line that was the best defense in the league for Tampa Bay. Lasso led the league with 153 clearances and 132 aerial duels won, the latter coming at a 73.3 percent success rate, while also winning 67.7 percent of duels and blocking 26 shots.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: LouCity stalwart Sean Totsch was one of only three players to play every minute of the regular season as he earned his second consecutive All-League First Team selection. Totsch completed a league-high 1,765 of 2,079 passes in the regular season while also recording 195 recoveries and winning 114 aerial duels – second among defenders – at a 69.5 percent success rate as LouCity faced a league-fewest 263 shots.
M – Danny Barrera, Hartford Athletic: Earning his second All-League First Team honor, Danny Barrera led the league with 12 assists and ranked third with 82 key passes while also scoring eight goals, good for second on the Athletic. The 31-year-old native of Colombia also completed 1,001 passes at a 78.1 percent accuracy rate to post a +6.58 Goals Added mark over the regular season.
M – Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II: The 20-year-old playmaker had a breakthrough season for Los Dos as he recorded 12 goals and six assists while leading the league with 91 chances created in the regular season. Hernandez’s play helped propel the Galaxy II attack as he finished with the highest Expected Assists mark in the league at 8.52xA while tying for the league lead with three goals directly from free kicks and a league-high five goals from outside the penalty area.
M – Aodhan Quinn, Phoenix Rising FC: One of the league’s major offseason moves as he joined Phoenix, Aodhan Quinn earned the second All-League First Team selection of his career with a standout season for the Pacific Division winners. Quinn finished tied for second in the league with 11 assists and notched six goals for Rising FC while ranking second in the Championship with 84 key passes and second on Rising FC with a +7.89 Goals Added mark.
F – Hadji Barry, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Guinean forward equaled the Championship’s single-season scoring record with 25 goals in a remarkable campaign that helped the Switchbacks earn their first postseason berth since 2016. Hadji Barry averaged a goal every 114.9 minutes while also notching five assists and 49 key passes to lead a rejuvenated squad to success at Colorado Springs’ new downtown home.
F – Sebastian Guenzatti, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Rowdies’ captain earned his first All-League First Team selection as he scored a career-best 21 goals in the regular season while also recording six assists to lead the club in both categories. Sebastian Guenzatti’s work-rate as the first line of defense also drew plaudits throughout the season as he recorded 24 interceptions and notched a Goals Added mark of +10.86 to lead all players in the Championship.
F – Santi Moar, Phoenix Rising FC: The Spaniard had a career-high 16 goals in his second season with Rising FC, leading the team, while also recording four assists and 63 key passes to sit tied for fourth in the league. Santi Moar’s decision-making in the final third also played a major role in Rising FC’s success as he completed 49 dribbles and recorded four goals from beyond the penalty area, tied for second in the league.
2021 USL Championship All-League Second Team
GK – Matt VanOekel, Birmingham Legion FC: The veteran had an outstanding individual campaign in basic numbers, finishing tied for third in the league with nine shutouts and recording 80 saves, but the impressiveness of Matt VanOekel’s 2021 season was made clear with his league-best -8.36 differential in Goals Conceded over Expected Goals as he led the second-best defense in the regular season.
D – Aaron Guillen, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Aaron Guillen continued to provide an ideal complement to Forrest Lasso in the Rowdies’ three-man back line as he led the side with 59 interceptions while winning duels at a 69.3 percent success rate and aerial duels at a 78 percent success rate. The 28-year-old led Tampa Bay with 1,392 passes completed – fifth-most in the league – at an 83.5 percent accuracy rate.
D – James Musa, Phoenix Rising FC: The New Zealand international seamlessly moved back into the Rising FC lineup after a season away to play a key role in the center of defense for Phoenix. James Musa won 148 duels at a success rate of 68.8 percent while also notching 56 interceptions defensively and completed 1,294 passes at an 83.7 percent accuracy rate, earning a +5.80 Goals Added mark.
D – Mark Segbers, Memphis 901 FC: One of a handful of holdovers at 901 FC, Mark Segbers was a central figure in the club’s first postseason berth. The right back recorded 62 interceptions – good for eighth in the league – and made 185 recoveries, eighth-most among defenders, while recording two goals, three assists and 30 chances created in the attacking end of the field.
D – Josh Yaro, San Diego Loyal SC: Joining San Diego over the offseason, Josh Yaro had a standout season on both sides of the ball, recording 27 tackles at a 77.1 percent success rate – tied for second-highest percentage in the league among players with at least 25 tackles – while also notching 53 interceptions and a duel success rate of 66.3 percent. Yaro also completed 1,461 passes – fourth-most in the league – at an accuracy rate of 89.7 percent.
M – Jose Gallegos, San Antonio FC: Nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award a season ago, the San Antonio FC Academy product earned his first All-League selection this campaign after taking the next step toward what appears a bright future. Jose Gallegos led the league with 99 completed dribbles, had seven goals, three assists and 38 chances created, and also tied for third in the league with 233 duels won.
M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Championship’s all-time leader in regular season assists earned his fifth All-League selection after a season in which he continued to be a catalyst for the Hounds, recording five goals and six assists while sitting tied for fourth in the Championship with 63 chances created. Kenardo Forbes also ranked third in the league with a 7.56 Expected Assists mark.
M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: Recently selected to the United States U-20 National Team, Diego Luna made an impressive debut in the professional ranks with Locomotive FC as he recorded nine goals and five assists for the Mountain Division winner at the age of 18 years old. Luna recorded 37 chances created overall and had a shot conversion rate of 21.7 percent.
F – Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC: The Jamaican forward earned his second All-League Second Team selection after a career-best 18 goals in the regular season for Legion FC that accounted for more than one-third of the side’s overall attacking output in the regular season. Neco Brett also added three assists and 32 key passes and had a shot conversion rate of 29.5 percent.
F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Earning his third All-League selection in the past four seasons, Cameron Lancaster became only the second player in league history to record multiple 20-goal regular season campaigns with 20 tallies for LouCity’s high-flying attack. The English forward averaged a goal every 92.6 minutes, the best scoring rate in the league among players with at least 10 goals in the regular season campaign.
F – Kyle Murphy, Memphis 901 FC: One of numerous offseason arrivals in Memphis, Kyle Murphy had a career season as he became the 10th player in league history to record 20 goals in a regular season. Murphy averaged a goal every 106 minutes on a shot conversion rate of 28.6 percent, and accounted for 41.6 percent of 901 FC’s goals as the side reached the postseason for the first time.
For all offseason news and team updates, like new player signings and 2022 season ticket announcements, be sure to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on https://www.bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app.
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the 2021 USL Championship All-League Teams on Monday as standout players from the past regular season were honored for their performances. Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and forward Neco Brett each earned a selection on the All-League Second Team.
VanOekel organized the second-best defensive side in the USLC in 2021, one of just two teams with a sub-zero goals against average (0.96) on the season. On his own merit, MVO finished the year with nine clean sheets, which tied for third-most in the league, as well as 80 saves, and his -8.36 differential in Goals Conceded over Expected Goals was league-leading.
Brett led Legion FC in goals scored with 18, a tally good for fifth-most in the USLC this season and a career high. He also paced his team in shots, with 61, was fifth in chances created, with 32, and was tied for fifth in assists with three. This is his second All-League selection, following a Second Team nod in 2019 while with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
The 2021 USL Championship All-League Team was voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market.
The finalists for the 2021 Championship Awards will be announced on Tuesday, preceding the 2021 USL Championship Final, which will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC in the United States on Sunday, November 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
2021 USL Championship All-League First Team
GK – Evan Louro, Tampa Bay Rowdies: In his second season in Tampa Bay, Evan Louro led the Championship with 14 shutouts – good for second-most in a regular season in league history – and posted a 0.74 goals-against average while playing 31 of 32 regular season games for the Atlantic Division winner.
D – Paco Craig, Miami FC: Making his return to the Championship in Miami, Paco Craig earned a third All-League First Team selection as he starred in the center of his new club’s back line. The English center back finished tied for the league-lead among defenders with 198 recoveries and fourth overall with 134 clearances, while also posting a 63.9 percent duel success rate and 62.6 aerial duel success rate, earning a +7.50 Goals Added mark to lead all center backs in the Championship.
D – Jonathan Gomez, Louisville City FC: The 18-year-old standout had a remarkable year that saw him named in the preliminary roster for the United States to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, and individually Jonathan Gomez proved a standout two-way player for LouCity as he recorded two goals, eight assists and 44 key passes offensively while recording 43 interceptions and a 75 percent tackle success rate defensively.
D – Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Voted to the All-League First Team for a fifth consecutive season, Forrest Lasso was the centerpiece of a three-man back line that was the best defense in the league for Tampa Bay. Lasso led the league with 153 clearances and 132 aerial duels won, the latter coming at a 73.3 percent success rate, while also winning 67.7 percent of duels and blocking 26 shots.
D – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC: LouCity stalwart Sean Totsch was one of only three players to play every minute of the regular season as he earned his second consecutive All-League First Team selection. Totsch completed a league-high 1,765 of 2,079 passes in the regular season while also recording 195 recoveries and winning 114 aerial duels – second among defenders – at a 69.5 percent success rate as LouCity faced a league-fewest 263 shots.
M – Danny Barrera, Hartford Athletic: Earning his second All-League First Team honor, Danny Barrera led the league with 12 assists and ranked third with 82 key passes while also scoring eight goals, good for second on the Athletic. The 31-year-old native of Colombia also completed 1,001 passes at a 78.1 percent accuracy rate to post a +6.58 Goals Added mark over the regular season.
M – Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II: The 20-year-old playmaker had a breakthrough season for Los Dos as he recorded 12 goals and six assists while leading the league with 91 chances created in the regular season. Hernandez’s play helped propel the Galaxy II attack as he finished with the highest Expected Assists mark in the league at 8.52xA while tying for the league lead with three goals directly from free kicks and a league-high five goals from outside the penalty area.
M – Aodhan Quinn, Phoenix Rising FC: One of the league’s major offseason moves as he joined Phoenix, Aodhan Quinn earned the second All-League First Team selection of his career with a standout season for the Pacific Division winners. Quinn finished tied for second in the league with 11 assists and notched six goals for Rising FC while ranking second in the Championship with 84 key passes and second on Rising FC with a +7.89 Goals Added mark.
F – Hadji Barry, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Guinean forward equaled the Championship’s single-season scoring record with 25 goals in a remarkable campaign that helped the Switchbacks earn their first postseason berth since 2016. Hadji Barry averaged a goal every 114.9 minutes while also notching five assists and 49 key passes to lead a rejuvenated squad to success at Colorado Springs’ new downtown home.
F – Sebastian Guenzatti, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Rowdies’ captain earned his first All-League First Team selection as he scored a career-best 21 goals in the regular season while also recording six assists to lead the club in both categories. Sebastian Guenzatti’s work-rate as the first line of defense also drew plaudits throughout the season as he recorded 24 interceptions and notched a Goals Added mark of +10.86 to lead all players in the Championship.
F – Santi Moar, Phoenix Rising FC: The Spaniard had a career-high 16 goals in his second season with Rising FC, leading the team, while also recording four assists and 63 key passes to sit tied for fourth in the league. Santi Moar’s decision-making in the final third also played a major role in Rising FC’s success as he completed 49 dribbles and recorded four goals from beyond the penalty area, tied for second in the league.
2021 USL Championship All-League Second Team
GK – Matt VanOekel, Birmingham Legion FC: The veteran had an outstanding individual campaign in basic numbers, finishing tied for third in the league with nine shutouts and recording 80 saves, but the impressiveness of Matt VanOekel’s 2021 season was made clear with his league-best -8.36 differential in Goals Conceded over Expected Goals as he led the second-best defense in the regular season.
D – Aaron Guillen, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Aaron Guillen continued to provide an ideal complement to Forrest Lasso in the Rowdies’ three-man back line as he led the side with 59 interceptions while winning duels at a 69.3 percent success rate and aerial duels at a 78 percent success rate. The 28-year-old led Tampa Bay with 1,392 passes completed – fifth-most in the league – at an 83.5 percent accuracy rate.
D – James Musa, Phoenix Rising FC: The New Zealand international seamlessly moved back into the Rising FC lineup after a season away to play a key role in the center of defense for Phoenix. James Musa won 148 duels at a success rate of 68.8 percent while also notching 56 interceptions defensively and completed 1,294 passes at an 83.7 percent accuracy rate, earning a +5.80 Goals Added mark.
D – Mark Segbers, Memphis 901 FC: One of a handful of holdovers at 901 FC, Mark Segbers was a central figure in the club’s first postseason berth. The right back recorded 62 interceptions – good for eighth in the league – and made 185 recoveries, eighth-most among defenders, while recording two goals, three assists and 30 chances created in the attacking end of the field.
D – Josh Yaro, San Diego Loyal SC: Joining San Diego over the offseason, Josh Yaro had a standout season on both sides of the ball, recording 27 tackles at a 77.1 percent success rate – tied for second-highest percentage in the league among players with at least 25 tackles – while also notching 53 interceptions and a duel success rate of 66.3 percent. Yaro also completed 1,461 passes – fourth-most in the league – at an accuracy rate of 89.7 percent.
M – Jose Gallegos, San Antonio FC: Nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award a season ago, the San Antonio FC Academy product earned his first All-League selection this campaign after taking the next step toward what appears a bright future. Jose Gallegos led the league with 99 completed dribbles, had seven goals, three assists and 38 chances created, and also tied for third in the league with 233 duels won.
M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Championship’s all-time leader in regular season assists earned his fifth All-League selection after a season in which he continued to be a catalyst for the Hounds, recording five goals and six assists while sitting tied for fourth in the Championship with 63 chances created. Kenardo Forbes also ranked third in the league with a 7.56 Expected Assists mark.
M – Diego Luna, El Paso Locomotive FC: Recently selected to the United States U-20 National Team, Diego Luna made an impressive debut in the professional ranks with Locomotive FC as he recorded nine goals and five assists for the Mountain Division winner at the age of 18 years old. Luna recorded 37 chances created overall and had a shot conversion rate of 21.7 percent.
F – Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC: The Jamaican forward earned his second All-League Second Team selection after a career-best 18 goals in the regular season for Legion FC that accounted for more than one-third of the side’s overall attacking output in the regular season. Neco Brett also added three assists and 32 key passes and had a shot conversion rate of 29.5 percent.
F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Earning his third All-League selection in the past four seasons, Cameron Lancaster became only the second player in league history to record multiple 20-goal regular season campaigns with 20 tallies for LouCity’s high-flying attack. The English forward averaged a goal every 92.6 minutes, the best scoring rate in the league among players with at least 10 goals in the regular season campaign.
F – Kyle Murphy, Memphis 901 FC: One of numerous offseason arrivals in Memphis, Kyle Murphy had a career season as he became the 10th player in league history to record 20 goals in a regular season. Murphy averaged a goal every 106 minutes on a shot conversion rate of 28.6 percent, and accounted for 41.6 percent of 901 FC’s goals as the side reached the postseason for the first time.
For all offseason news and team updates, like new player signings and 2022 season ticket announcements, be sure to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on https://www.bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app.
