A 2014 USL All-League selection with the LA Galaxy II, Hoffman made the move to the Monarchs this offseason as one of the centerpieces to the club’s new direction when it came to personnel. After scoring 14 goals a season ago for Louisville City FC, Hoffman has continued exactly where he left off and is now the third-leading scorer in the USL’s history after his 13th goal of the year on Wednesday night earned Real a 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC.

Hoffman’s addition hasn’t been the lone reason for the Monarchs surge to the top of the Western Conference standings. Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 forward Daniel Haber has also made a major impression, while the return of Sebastian Velasquez to the Real organization has seen the attacking midfielder thrive. Hoffman’s added contributions in the build-up for the Monarchs – which has seen him record five assists on top of his goals – has shown the forward add another layer to his game and make Real a favorite for the USL Regular Season Championship. 

An injury-hit season with the Swope Park Rangers saw Dane Kelly’s streak of double-digit goal-scoring seasons come to an end in 2016, but the Jamaican standout has proven the ideal player to lead the way for Reno 1868 FC in its inaugural season. The leading goal-scorer in USL history, Kelly was unveiled as 1868 FC’s first signing in club history, and has since put himself in contention for his first USL Golden Boot and another All-League First Team honor.

Kelly’s exploits have been helped by a strong supporting cast including Antoine Hoppenot and Chris Wehan, both of whom had had stellar seasons for Reno as the side looks well placed to reach the USL Cup Playoffs at its first attempt. Having already notched a single-season career-high with 13 goals this season, though, May’s USL Player of the Month is proving the talisman that can drive Reno forward over the remainder of the regular season.

With some notable offseason departures, Louisville pulled off a sharp move to add Brian Ownby this offseason, where he was reunited with fellow former Richmond Kickers standout George Davis IV. While the baseline statistics might not indicate it with four goals and three assists in 2017, it’s hard to find a player who has been as influential to Louisville’s continued success over the season so far.

Ownby’s driving style was an ideal fit for Head Coach James O’Connor’s plans, and his knack for providing the spectacular at key moments has seen him earn regular plaudits in the USL Team of the Week and Goal of the Week nominations. Tied for the team-high with 27 key passes this season, Ownby might be in line for a first USL All-League selection of his career at the end of the season.

Hugh Roberts came to the fore last season as one of only two players to play every minute of the regular season in the USL, and his consistency at the back saw him named a finalist for USL Defender of the Year while also catching the attention of Bethlehem Steel FC. His offseason move has provided a nice boost to Bethlehem in the club’s second season, where the club is in contention for a first postseason trip.

Roberts won’t replicate his accomplishment of a season ago in terms of minutes played, but he remains among Steel FC’s leaders in minutes played and has formed a good tandem at the center of defense with U.S. Under-20 international Auston Trusty. With a team-high 36 interceptions and 30 aerial duels won for the side, Roberts’ contribution at the back has paid off well for Steel FC so far this season.

The return to his home state for the Texas native was a logical move for Tyrpak after playing a major role in the Swope Park Rangers’ run to the Western Conference Championship a season ago, and his arrival has helped drive SAFC to a strong position in its second season as a club. A proven scorer at the USL level over the past two years, Tyrpak’s four goals and three assists have helped the club make a sizeable step forward in the Western Conference standings.

While he has provided an outlet for San Antonio to break quickly upfield and combined well with the club’s other attacking options, the work Tyrpak has done as a two-way player shouldn’t go overlooked, either. Sitting third on the team in duels won at 83, while also logging 16 interceptions and an 82.6 tackle success rate, the 2013 PDL Most Valuable Player is getting it done at both ends of the field.