It’s a new era in Greenville as the winningest coach in League One history, John Harkes, departs Triumph SC after leading the club to the postseason in all five seasons at the helm. The Harkes era ended with what was technically the worst season in club history - a fifth-place finish and trip to the USL League One Playoffs Quarterfinals - which really puts the annual success of the club into perspective. Now, first-year professional head coach Rick Wright takes over a Greenville side that will look very different as it kicks off its sixth campaign. 

Greenville started its 2023 season with three consecutive league losses - four across all competitions - for the first time in club history, falling to the bottom of the table for just the second time ever. Triumph SC found its usual rhythm midway through the season, however, losing just one match across 11 contests between late May and early August. Greenville secured its record fifth-consecutive postseason appearance by finishing the regular season with a 3-1-2 record through six matches. A loss to eventual runners-up Charlotte in the Quarterfinals marked the first time Greenville failed to advance to the Semifinals or beyond.

The winningest club in league history will certainly look different in 2024. Greenville will retain only two of their top six minutes leaders from a season ago (Lee, Castro) and lose a number of key contributors from a season ago: highly productive first-year goalkeeper Jared Mazzola and all-time assist leader Allen Gavilanes move on to the USL Championship with Sacramento Republic FC and Miami FC, respectively, while club legend Aaron Walker, goalscorer Jacob Labovitz and veteran midfielder Lucas Coutinho also depart the club.

Rick Wright and Greenville will reload with a few familiar faces as League One legends Evan Lee, Brandon Fricke, Tyler Polak return to the fold in 2024. On the offensive side of the pitch, Greenville will welcome back potent goalscoring tandem Leo Castro and Lyam MacKinnon who return for their 16th and second professional season, respectively. Castro and MacKinnon's combined 28 goal contributions from a season ago are tied for the most among returning teammates across the league (Diouf, Robertson - LEX). 

Rounding out its 2024 squad, Greenville will bring in a pair of veteran midfielders with USL Championship experience in Chapa Herrera and Sebastián Velásquez and add a number of intriguing young players: former United States youth international Carlos Anguiano, former Jamaica youth international Zion Scarlett and two-time NCAA College Cup winner Mohamed Seye.

PLAYERS TO WATCH