[USL-2 PREVIEW] A new USL Second Division champion will be crowned following the promotion of last year's winners, the Cleveland City Stars, to the USL-1. The
contenders include Charlotte, Richmond, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Harrisburg. Here's a look at the nine teams in order of last year's finish ...
Charlotte Eagles. The 2007 MVP and scoring champion
Jacob Coggins is back after spending 2008 in the USL-1. All-League selections
Brady Bryant, Jorge Herrera,
Steve Shak and 2008 league MVP
Dustin Swinehart
also return.
Richmond Kickers. All-leaguer picks
Mike Burke,
Sascha Gorres, and
Ronnie Pascale are back. The Kickers have been aggressive on the player market, adding
Kenny Cutler from MLS's Real Salt Lake and
Matthew Delicate (Rochester),
Joey Worthen (Carolina),
Ross MacKenzie (Carolina),
Luke Vercollone (Charleston) and
Yomby William (Puerto Rico) from the
USL-1.
Crystal Palace Baltimore. Baltimore has signed Bermuda international
John Barry Nusum from the
Hogges. Other acquisitions: American
Zach Flores played for Bolivia's The Strongest and Bolivar in the Libertadores Cup, while South Florida speedster
Jordan Seabrook was taken by Colorado Rapids in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
Olawale Adelusimi helped guide the Thunder Bay
Chill to the 2008 PDL championship.
Harrisburg City Islanders. Returning players include
Dustin Bixler and
Mo Oduor, all-leaguer picks from the past two years. The newcomers include Michigan Bucks star
Ty Shipalane from the
PDL.
Western Mass Pioneers. Veterans in camp included all-league selections
Jeff Deren,
Federico Molinari and
Jay Willis. Rookies include former Central Connecticut State stars
Yan
Klukowski and
David Tyrie.
Wilmington Hammerheads. Striker
Christopher
Bagley returned after a stint with the USL-1 Portland Timbers. Other USL-1 signings are
Steven Curfman (Carolina) and
Daryl Sattler (Atlanta). Coming by way of MLS are
Rusty Pierce (Columbus) and
Jamie Watson (FC Dallas).
Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Riverhounds loaned
Greg Janicki and
Thabiso
Khumalo to MLS's D.C. United late last season. New signing
Sean Cameron spent the past two years with Atlanta and Miami in the USL First
Division.
Bermuda Hogges. Damon Ming, who led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists, will take
on a more important role with the departure of Nusum to Crystal Palace Baltimore.
Real Maryland Monarchs. Real Maryland signed
Jeff Carroll,
Patrick Carroll and
Ryan Cordeiro from D.C. United and
Justin Hughes of the Colorado Rapids.