With the opening month of the season concluded, let us look back at the best players from the Eastern Conference! Players are eligible to be included in the Team of the Month based on having the highest score of total points earned, per number of appearances in matches - with a minimum of three matches having made an appearance.
Goalkeeper: Akira Fitzgerald, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 2110 pts
Defender: Oscar Jimenez, Louisville City: 1942.8 pts
Defender: Damion Lowe, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 1923.71 pts
Defender: Forrest Lasso, Charleston Battery: 1891.5 pts
Midfielder: Justin Portillo, Charleston Battery: 1805.17 pts
Midfielder: Vincent Bezecourt, New York Red Bulls II: 2340.5 pts
Midfielder: Maikel Chang, Charleston Battery: 2254.67 pts
Midfielder: George Davis IV, Louisville City: 1971.83 pts
Forward: Darius Madison, Rochester Rhinos: 1865.23 pts
Forward: Romario Williams, Charleston Battery: 2456.67 pts, Player of the Month
Forward: Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies: 1762.71 pts
Honorable Mentions
Goalkeeper: Angelo Cavalluzzo, Toronto FC II: 1937.5 pts
Defender: Wal Fall, Rochester Rhinos: 1748.4 pts
Midfielder: Brian Ownby, Louisville City: 1653 pts
Forward: Florian Valot, New York Red Bulls II: 1714 pts
Thoughts
Eastern Conference leaders, Charleston Battery, send a conference high, four players to the team of the month, including player of the month Romario Willaims. It is no secret that the Battery have had one of the best starts to the season, and their quartet of team of the month players are the reason. Williams, Chang, Portillo and Lasso are responsible for 12 of Charleston’s 15 goals thus far.
Tampa Bay has the second most with three players on the Best XI. Akira Fitzgerald’s three consecutive shutouts to start the season has him as the East’s top keeper for April. Damion Lowe leads the Rowdies in clearances (32) and interceptions (26). Georgi Hristov remains the club’s top striker, scoring four goals on the season.
Romario Williams and Vincent Bezecourt stand as the top two performers through the first month of the season. With both scoring a combined 11 goals, more than 24 clubs in the USL, the rest of the season is shaping up to be an exciting offensive showcase between the two premier players of the Eastern Conference.
Which players have impressed you through the first month of play? Will there be any repeat appearances for these players on May’s team of the month? Are there any players not listed that you think are on the rise? Let us know in the comments below.