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USL Top Five – Forwards to Watch

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/24/17, 11:03AM EDT

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Which five players will need to fill the net to lead their teams to success?


Photo courtesy Phoenix Rising FC

It’s not a guarantee of a place in the USL Cup Playoffs – 11 of the 15 teams that had one saw postseason action a season ago – but having a player that can score double-digit goals over the course of the regular season can be an essential piece to the puzzle for title aspirations.

Players like 2016 USL Cup Final Most Valuable Player Brandon Allen and Vancouver Whitecaps FC offseason signing Kyle Greig – neither of whom will be found below – were among those players who helped push their teams to new heights in 2016. Here are five players who could do the same for their respective clubs in 2017, and might contend for the USL Golden Boot in the process.

Villyan Bijev, Portland Timbers 2

A former U.S. U20 international, Bijev’s first season in the United States was almost the catalyst for the Portland Timbers 2’s first trip to the postseason. A native of Bulgaria who grew up in Fresno, Calif., and turned professional with the Premier League’s Liverpool FC, Bijev had nine goals and a league-leading 10 assists to earn USL All-League First Team honors for T2 as he took them within goal differential of reaching the postseason.

Back with the side for a second season, Bijev’s ability to build on his standout season will be crucial for T2 as they look to finish at least one place higher in the standings than a year ago. With a strong supporting cast returning, the chemistry Portland found during a run of seven wins in its final 10 games of the season should return, and with it the chance for Bijev to hit even greater heights.


Photo courtesy David Blair / Portland Timbers 2


Photo courtesy Phoenix Rising FC

Omar Bravo, Phoenix Rising FC

The all-time goal-scoring leader in Chivas de Guadalajara’s illustrious history, Omar Bravo needed little introduction to fans in Phoenix when he was announced as the club’s biggest offseason signing. The 37-year-old will now be looked at to help bring success to Phoenix Rising FC’s first season after an offseason rebrand, and move to a new soccer-specific facility after the club was purchased by Kona Grill CEO Berke Bakay.

Bravo recorded 132 goals for Chivas in his career, and another 15 for the Mexico National Team as he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup twice. If he can muster some of the same magic alongside the returning duo of Luke Rooney and Chris Cortez and fellow high-profile newcomer Shaun Wright-Phillips, a first postseason berth in franchise history could be waiting in October.

Chandler Hoffman, Real Monarchs SLC

No one has scored more goals in the USL over the past three seasons than Chandler Hoffman, who recorded 31 goals in that span, including 14 goals a year ago for Louisville City FC. After being named to the USL All-League First Team with the LA Galaxy II in 2014, Hoffman has scored at a consistent clip in the USL while waiting for his chance to make the move to MLS.

In his offseason move to the Monarchs, he will have the chance to prove himself around a group of talented young players that came up just short of the USL Cup Playoffs a season ago. Now 26 years old, Hoffman could find another double-digit season that helps propel the Monarchs into a first postseason berth, which could also earn him the opportunity he’s been looking for in the top flight.


Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Louisville City FC


Photo courtesy Brian Blanco / Tampa Bay Rowdies

Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Rowdies’ modern-era all-time leading scorer, Georgi Hristov had a stellar season in 2016, recording 11 goals as he passed 100 appearances for the club in his fourth year in Tampa Bay. Alongside Joe Cole, the veteran forward will be important to the Rowdies finding immediate success this season as he looks to find chemistry with the Rowdies’ new offseason additions.

The Bulgarian has become a fan-favorite since his arrival prior to the 2013 season, and now will have the chance to benefit from the additions of the likes of former Seattle Sounders FC forward Darwin Jones – who led Sounders FC 2 in goals a season ago – as well as former MLS standout Deshorn Brown. The added space those players could provide in the attacking third could allow Hristov to knock in double-digit goals again.

Dane Kelly, Reno 1868 FC

The leading scorer in the USL’s history became the first signing in Reno 1868 FC when he joined the club this offseason after helping the Swope Park Rangers to the USL Cup Final in its inaugural season. After scoring six goals in the regular season a year ago, Kelly’s two-goal performance when the Rangers were down to nine men against Orange County in the Western Conference Semifinals showed the Jamaican at his best, and will be what’s expected with the expansion side this year.

Kelly had his run of double-digit goals brought to an end last season as injuries limited him to only 1,225 minutes of action in 20 regular-season appearances. Sitting two goals away from becoming the first player to reach 50 goals in the USL’s history, he might have his sights set on hitting the 60-goal plateau as well as 1868 FC looks to hit the ground running in its inaugural year.


Photo courtesy David Calvert / Reno 1868 FC

Five Others to Watch: Billy Forbes, San Antonio FC; Romario Williams, Charleston Battery; Trevin Caesar, Sacramento Republic FC; Christian Volesky, Swope Park Rangers; Steevan Dos Santos, Ottawa Fury FC

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