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2024 USL Kickoff Preseason Preview: 11 Midfielders to Watch

By JOSH FROJELIN, Special to USLLeagueOne.com, 03/09/24, 5:30PM EST

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These midfielders will have a big impact on their squad in 2024

Did we miss anyone? Let us know which midfielders are going to have the biggest impact on your favorite club at @USLLeagueOne.

JACKSON KHOURY, SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC

The 2023 USL League One Young Player of the Year returns for his second season with South Georgia Tormenta FC. The 21-year-old Australian midfielder contributed seven goals, six assists, and 37 chances created from the midfield in his USL debut season. His 13 goal contributions were tied-third among first year professionals in league history. The youngster has also been called up to the Lebanese national team and will hopefully help South Georgia to a playoff berth this season.

NIL VINYALS, RICHMOND KICKERS

In the first year of his multi-year contract extension, Nil Vinyals continued to be a top offensive threat for the Richmond Kickers. Among Richmond Kickers last season, the midfielder finished second in goals, tied-first in assists, first in chances created, and second in duels won. He was named to the 2023 All-League First Team as a result of his well-rounded play. The 27-year-old Spaniard finished 2023 with six goals, four assists, 66 chances created, 159 duels won and 135 recoveries for the Players' Shield holders.

OMAR CISS, CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

The All-League Second Team midfielder is returning for his third season with the Charlotte Independence. Omar Ciss had two goals, four assists, 149 recoveries, 133 duels won, 82 completed long passes and 28 chances created last season. The 22-year-old has been named a finalist for the USL Young Player of the Year award twice, in his first two seasons. The Senegal native was included in last season’s team of the week three times.

MIGUEL IBARRA, CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

Ibarra will be playing his 13th season of professional soccer and third season with the Charlotte Independence. The 33-year-old put up seven assists in back-to-back seasons and carried a 91% passing accuracy into Charlotte's USL League One Final appearance last season. The former USMNT midfielder scored two goals in 2021 with the USL Championship's San Diego Loyal SC, and suited up for MLS side Seattle Sounders FC in 2020. The American also made eight appearances between 2015-17 with Liga MX's Club León, scoring twice. He's also previously played for Minnesota United FC and was part of its inaugural season in 2017.

YANNICK YANKAM, LEXINGTON SC


Yannick Yankam | Image Credit: England Football

The 26-year-old Malta international will make his USL League One debut in 2024. Since 2019, the Birkirkara FC midfielder has made 108 appearances and recorded 16 goals and 13 assists across UEFA Europa Conference League qualification, Maltese Premier League, Maltese Super Cup and Maltese FA Trophy play. Last season, he captained the club to a Maltese FA Trophy. Before joining Birkirkara FC, Yankam played from 2015 to 2019 with his hometown club Qormi FC. He made 94 appearances and notched 11 goal contributions across all competitions. The attacking midfielder also made 10 appearances with his country's senior team during FIFA World Cup qualification.

Chevone Marsh, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Returning for his second League One season, Chevone Marsh will look to continue his goal scoring ways. Fresh off 12 goals in his debut season, the Jamaican international was very efficient in his 19 starts and 29 appearances. The 30-year-old Jamaican had 63 games of club experience prior to the move to USL, between the Jamaican Premier League, Finnish First Division, Costa Rican first division, and El Salvador’s top division. He had seven goals and five assists. In five appearances for the Jamaican national team, Marsh has scored twice.

Angelo Kelly-Rosales, One Knoxville SC

The 2023 USL League One All-League Second Team selection and USL veteran is back for his second season in League One with One Knoxville SC. In his debut in League One, the 31-year-old had a goal and three assists in 28 matches. Between the Charleston Battery and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the veteran played over 100 USL Championship matches over four years.

Billy King, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

In his debut season, the Scottish midfielder notched eight goals and five assists in 32 matches. The 29-year-old has a wealth of experience in Europe, suiting up for seven different clubs in Scotland, England and Ireland.

Luis Gil, Spokane Velocity FC

The 30-year-old veteran midfielder joins Spokane from Union Omaha, where he contributed 12 goal contributions over 53 matches the last two seasons. The American twice played for his national team and is a veteran of Liga MX and MLS.

Gabriel Obertan, Charlotte Independence

The 35-year-old returns for his fourth season with the Charlotte Independence. The French midfielder recorded four goals and four assists in 28 games last season, helping his squad to their first-ever League One Final appearance. His long career has taken him from Manchester United FC to Newcastle United FC among other stops in Europe.

Ricky Ruiz, Chattanooga ReD Wolves SC

Ruiz returns to Chattanooga, after two seasons with Rio Grande Valley FC. In 2020 and 2021 with the Red Wolves, he was twice an All-League selection and the 2021 leading playmaker with eight assists. In his last two seasons in the USL Championship, the 27-year-old had five goals and eight assists.


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