In just three days, South Georgia Tormenta FC and Greenville Triumph SC will kick off the 2019 USL League One season. After looking at the goalkeepers and defenders that could lead their teams to success this year, now it’s time to analyze the midfielders who will try to pull the strings in League One’s inaugural campaign.

 Oscar Romero – North Texas SC

On a team filled with talented teenagers, Oscar Romero will be one of the elder statesmen for North Texas SC during its inaugural season. The 22-year-old midfielder signed with the club in January, joining fellow midfielder Arturo Rodriguez as former FC Dallas Academy products on Head Coach Eric Quill’s squad. Romero played for the Academy from 2013-15, netting 11 goals in 26 games during his final season with the U-18 side. After spending the last couple of years in Mexico, Romero returns to Texas looking to make an impact in attack and looks likely to get that chance right away after starting the club’s final preseason game against Southern Methodist University on the right wing.

 Jordan Bender – Orlando City B

Speaking of talented teenagers, Jordan Bender will be one to watch in his first professional season with Orlando City B. The 17-year-old joined the Orlando City Development Academy at 14 years old and has excelled despite playing up an age group. Bender scored six goals from midfield in 28 appearances for the U-18/19s last season as a 16-year-old and was announced as OCB’s first professional signing in November. The Lake Mary, Fla. native has also featured for the U.S. Youth National Team, earning his first call-up for the U-16 side in Feb. 2017. The big question will be how quickly Bender can transition to the professional level as he looks to make an impact right away for Head Coach Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita.

 Moshe Perez – FC Tucson

The first professional signing in FC Tucson history, Moshe Perez returns to the desert after starring for the club in the 2017 USL League Two season. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder netted 12 goals during that summer, leading the side to a 9-2-3 record and earning All-League honors in the process. Perez, who was born in BeerSheva, Israel, played three collegiate seasons at Colorado Mesa University before transferring to the University of Denver for his senior year. The midfielder scored 25 goals and added 28 assists over that span and will look to bring that balance of playmaking ability and an eye for goal to Head Coach Darren Sawatzky’s squad.

 Xavier Gomez – Lansing Ignite FC

Much like Moshe Perez, Xavier Gomez enters his first professional season with the added pressure of having been the first signing in club history. The central midfielder was a three-year starter at the University of Nebraska Omaha and had a standout senior season in 2017, tallying eight goals and five assists as he led the Mavericks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Gomez was selected by Minnesota United FC with the 41st overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft but did not make the club’s roster in training camp. That experience should serve as motivation for the 24-year-old as he looks to impress Head Coach Nate Miller and earn a starting spot in the center of the park.

 Noble Okello – Toronto FC II

After becoming a Homegrown Signing for Toronto FC in January, Noble Okello will look to continue his impressive rise for Toronto FC II in 2019. The 18-year-old had a career-best season for the club in the USL Championship last season, completing over 80 percent of his passes and winning 51 percent of his duels in 22 appearances. The Toronto native also impressed for his country at the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship, scoring three goals from midfield in five games as Canada finished as runner-up to Panama in Group D. Okello will now look to take that next step and move into a starring role for TFC II as the club adjusts to League One play.