The 2021 USL League Two season is the 27th season of the USL League Two, the top pre-professional soccer league in the United States, since its establishment in 1995. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regular season started on May 5 and concluded on July 18. 75 teams participated in this season.[1] The Southwest Division teams elected not to play due to COVID-19 concerns.[2]

Team changes

New teams

Departing teams

Name changes

Teams

Note: Teams lined out are on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standings

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Western Mass Pioneers 14 10 2 2 34 12 +22 32 2.29 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Boston Bolts 14 10 0 4 29 16 +13 30 2.14
3 Seacoast United Phantoms 14 9 2 3 33 19 +14 29 2.07
4 Black Rock FC 14 4 3 7 18 28 −10 15 1.07
5 FC Málaga City 14 1 5 8 7 24 −17 8 0.57
6 AC Connecticut 14 1 2 11 13 35 −22 5 0.36
Source: USL

Mid Atlantic Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 West Chester United SC 14 11 2 1 29 6 +23 35 2.50 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Ocean City Nor'easters 14 9 3 2 40 12 +28 30 2.14
3 Northern Virginia FC 14 8 2 4 27 21 +6 26 1.86
4 Philadelphia Lone Star FC 14 5 0 9 22 28 −6 15[a] 1.07[a]
5 Reading United AC 14 4 3 7 18 27 −9 15 1.07
6 Lehigh Valley United 14 3 1 10 18 39 −21 10 0.71
7 Real Central New Jersey 14 2 3 9 10 31 −21 9 0.64
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. ^ Philadelphia Lone Star FC wins the tiebreaker over Reading United AC on goal differential.

Metropolitan Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Long Island Rough Riders 14 9 4 1 21 7 +14 31 2.21 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Cedar Stars Rush 14 8 3 3 28 15 +13 27 1.93
3 New York Red Bulls U-23 14 7 4 3 23 10 +13 25 1.79
4 Manhattan SC 14 7 3 4 28 15 +13 24 1.71
5 FC Motown 14 6 2 6 18 15 +3 20 1.43
6 New Jersey Copa FC 14 5 3 6 15 18 −3 18 1.29
7 F.A. Euro 14 4 5 5 19 21 −2 17 1.21
8 Morris Elite SC 14 3 2 9 8 28 −20 11 0.79
9 Westchester Flames 14 0 2 12 13 44 −31 2 0.14
Source: USL

Central Conference

Great Lakes Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Kalamazoo FC 14 9 4 1 29 14 +15 31 2.21 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Flint City Bucks 14 9 2 3 35 10 +25 29 2.07
3 Kings Hammer FC 14 8 4 2 25 17 +8 28 2.00
4 Grand Rapids FC 14 7 5 2 35 17 +18 26 1.86
5 South Bend Lions 14 5 4 5 27 17 +10 19 1.36
6 Oakland County FC 14 5 3 6 28 32 −4 18 1.29
7 Toledo Villa FC 14 3 4 7 22 40 −18 13 0.93
8 Fort Wayne FC 14 1 5 8 14 32 −18 8 0.57
9 Dayton Dutch Lions 14 0 1 13 14 50 −36 1 0.07
Source: USL

Heartland Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Des Moines Menace (C) 12 11 0 1 32 7 +25 33 2.75 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Chicago FC United 12 9 2 1 31 9 +22 29 2.42
3 St. Louis Scott Gallagher 12 6 2 4 24 20 +4 20 1.67
4 Kaw Valley FC 12 4 0 8 18 31 −13 12 1.00
5 Green Bay Voyageurs 11 2 2 7 10 23 −13 8 0.73
6 FC Wichita 11 0 0 11 5 30 −25 0 0.00
Source: USL
(C) Champions

Mid South Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Mississippi Brilla 13 8 3 2 26 11 +15 27 2.08 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Corpus Christi FC 13 7 2 4 20 15 +5 23 1.77
3 Texas United 14 6 3 5 20 19 +1 21 1.50
4 AHFC Royals 14 5 5 4 25 24 +1 20 1.43
5 Little Rock Rangers 14 6 1 7 17 17 0 19 1.36
6 Houston FC 14 5 1 8 16 27 −11 16 1.14
7 Round Rock SC 14 4 3 7 15 21 −6 15 1.07
8 Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C. 14 3 4 7 22 27 −5 13 0.93
Source: USL

Southern Conference

South Atlantic Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 North Carolina Fusion U23 14 11 1 2 48 13 +35 34 2.43 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Lionsbridge FC 14 9 2 3 38 16 +22 29[a] 2.07[a]
3 West Virginia United 14 9 2 3 31 20 +11 29 2.07
4 Tri-Cities Otters 14 7 3 4 28 16 +12 24 1.71
5 Wake FC 14 4 3 7 21 33 −12 15 1.07
6 North Carolina FC U23 14 3 1 10 15 38 −23 10 0.71
7 Tobacco Road FC 14 3 1 10 12 44 −32 10 0.71
8 Virginia Beach United FC 14 2 3 9 12 25 −13 9 0.64
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. ^ Lionsbridge FC wins the tiebreaker over West Virginia United on goal differential.

Deep South Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 SC United Bantams 14 11 2 1 32 15 +17 35 2.50 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Tormenta FC 2 14 10 1 3 33 12 +21 31 2.21
3 East Atlanta FC 14 6 3 5 18 24 −6 21 1.50
4 Asheville City SC 14 6 2 6 16 20 −4 20 1.43
5 Peachtree City MOBA 14 5 2 7 22 25 −3 17[a] 1.21[a]
6 Charlotte Eagles 14 5 2 7 21 25 −4 17 1.21
7 Charlotte Independence 2 14 4 4 6 20 22 −2 16 1.14
8 Dalton Red Wolves 14 4 1 9 14 24 −10 13 0.93
9 Southern Soccer Academy 14 3 1 10 13 22 −9 10 0.71
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. ^ Peachtree City MOBA wins the tiebreaker over Charlotte Eagles on total goals scored.

Southeast Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 The Villages SC 10 8 1 1 19 5 +14 25 2.50 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Tampa Bay United 10 5 3 2 19 12 +7 18 1.80
3 Florida Elite SA 10 5 1 4 14 11 +3 16 1.60
4 Weston FC 10 2 3 5 8 16 −8 9 0.90
5 FC Miami City 10 2 2 6 16 23 −7 8[a] 0.80[a]
6 FC Florida U23 10 2 2 6 8 17 −9 8 0.80
Source: USL
Notes:
  1. ^ FC Miami City wins the tiebreaker over FC Florida U23 on goal differential.

Western Conference

Mountain Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Park City Red Wolves 10 5 2 3 24 20 +4 17 1.70 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 Colorado Rush SC 10 4 2 4 18 17 +1 14 1.40
3 Ogden City SC 10 3 2 5 18 23 −5 11 1.10
Source: USL

Northwest Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Portland Timbers U23s 12 10 1 1 30 11 +19 31 2.58 Advance to USL League Two Playoffs
2 PDX FC 12 7 1 4 33 24 +9 22 1.83
3 OVF Alliance 12 3 2 7 16 26 −10 11 0.92
4 Lane United FC 12 1 2 9 18 36 −18 5 0.42
Source: USL

Tie breakers

  • 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games. [A][B]
  • 2) Points Per Game = Total points won / Total games played
  • 3) Total wins in League games.
  • 4) Goal difference in League games. If number of games is unequal, the Game Average[C] will be used.
  • 5) Goals scored in League games.
  • 6) Total points within smallest group[D]. If number of games is unequal, then point percentage[E] will be used.
  • 7) Ranking based on points earned against top four group finishers. This tiebreaker will not be used if four (4) or fewer teams comprise the group. If number of games is unequal, then point percentage applies.
  • 8) Point percentage outside / smallest division or conference in League games.
  • 9) Total points in all regular season and Open Cup qualifying games combined. If number of games is unequal, then point percentage applies.
  • 10) FIFA Fair Play – Team with fewest disciplinary points in League games. (If number of games is unequal, points will be divided by games played to arrive at a common basis for comparison).
  • 11) Lottery conducted by USL League Two.
  1. ^
    League games refer solely to games that count towards the regular season standings. Open Cup specific games are not “League games” when it comes to determining placement in the League standings. (When using these criteria as tiebreakers for Open Cup groups, “League games” should be interpreted as only games that count toward Open Cup group standings).
  2. ^
    Should more than two (2) teams involved have played an unequal number of total games this tie breaker will be skipped.
  3. ^
    Game Average: Tie Breaker / number of games played (i.e. goals scored / number of games played).
  4. ^
    Grouping: Term used to describe the primary unit in which a team competes (i.e. Southwest Division).
  5. ^
    Point Percentage: Number of total points earned / maximum possible points (3 per game).

Playoffs

Main article: 2021 USL League Two Playoffs

–===Bracket===

Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals National Semifinals National Final
               
S2 The Villages SC 2
S8 East Atlanta FC 1
S2 The Villages SC 2
S4 Tormenta FC 2 (a.e.t.) 4
S4 Tormenta FC 2 2
S5 Lionsbridge FC 0
S4 Tormenta FC 2 2
Southern Conference
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 (a.e.t.) 4
S1 SC United Bantams 3
S7 West Virginia United 1
S1 SC United Bantams 1
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 (a.e.t.) 2
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 5
S6 Tampa Bay United 0
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 3
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 1
E1 West Chester United SC 2
E8 New York Red Bulls U-23 1
E1 West Chester United SC 1
E5 Ocean City Nor'easters 0
E4 Boston Bolts 0
E5 Ocean City Nor'easters 1
E1 West Chester United SC 0
Eastern Conference
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 1
E2 Western Mass Pioneers 4
E6 Cedar Stars Rush 0
E2 Western Mass Pioneers (p) 0 (5)
E7 Seacoast United Phantoms 0 (4)
E3 Long Island Rough Riders 1
E7 Seacoast United Phantoms (a.e.t.) 2
S3 North Carolina Fusion U23 0
C1 Des Moines Menace 1
C1 Des Moines Menace 5
C8 Texas United 0
C1 Des Moines Menace 1
C5 Flint City Bucks 0
C4 Chicago FC United 1
C5 Flint City Bucks 3
C1 Des Moines Menace 2
Central Conference
C2 Kalamazoo FC 1
C2 Kalamazoo FC 3
C6 Corpus Christi FC 1
C2 Kalamazoo FC (p) 1 (4)
C3 Mississippi Brilla FC 1 (1)
C3 Mississippi Brilla FC 3
C7 Kings Hammer FC 1
C1 Des Moines Menace 2
W1 Portland Timbers U23s 0
W1 Portland Timbers U23s (p) 3 (4)
Western Conference
W2 Park City Red Wolves 3 (2)


[4][5]

Conference Playoffs

Eastern Conference Championship

July 16, 2021 Conference QuarterfinalsLong Island Rough Riders1–2 (a.e.t.) Seacoast United Phantoms Lusitano Stadium
Ludlow, Massachusetts
4:30 PM EDT
  • 59'
July 16, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals Western Mass Pioneers 4–0Cedar Stars RushLusitano Stadium
Ludlow, Massachusetts
7:30 PM EDT
Report
July 17, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals West Chester United SC 2–1New York Red Bulls U-23Evergreen Sportsplex
Leesburg, Virginia
5:00 PM EDT
[1]Report
  • 23'
July 17, 2021 Conference QuarterfinalsBoston Bolts0–1 Ocean City Nor'easters Evergreen Sportsplex
Leesburg, Virginia
7:00 PM EDT
Report
July 17, 2021 Conference Semifinal Western Mass Pioneers 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)		Seacoast United PhantomsLusitano Stadium
Ludlow, Massachusetts
7:00 PM EDT
Report
July 18, 2021 Conference Semifinal West Chester United SC 1–0Ocean City Nor'eastersEvergreen Sportsplex
Leesburg, Virginia
7:00 PM EDT
Report
July 23, 2021 Conference FinalWest Chester United SC0–1 Western Mass Pioneers Eagle Field at Erk Russell Park
Statesboro, Georgia
5:30 PM EDT Report

Southern Conference Championship

July 16, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals SC United Bantams 3–1West Virginia UnitedSouth Eastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, South Carolina
7:30 PM EDT
Report
July 17, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals North Carolina Fusion U23 5–0Tampa Bay UnitedSouth Eastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, South Carolina
4:00 PM EDT
July 17, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals The Villages SC 2–1East Atlanta FCTowneBank Stadium
Newport News, Virginia
5:00 PM EDT
Report
July 17, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals Tormenta FC 2 2–0Lionsbridge FCTowneBank Stadium
Newport News, Virginia
7:30 PM EDT
Report
July 18, 2021 Conference SemifinalSC United Bantams1–2 (a.e.t.) North Carolina Fusion U23 South Eastern Freight Lines Soccer Center
Columbia, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT
Report
July 18, 2021 Conference SemifinalThe Villages SC2–4 (a.e.t.) Tormenta FC 2 TowneBank Stadium
Newport News, Virginia
7:00 PM EDT
Report
July 23, 2021 Conference Final North Carolina Fusion U23 4–2 (a.e.t.)Tormenta FC 2Eagle Field at Erk Russell Park
Statesboro, Georgia
8:00 PM EDT

Central Conference Championship

July 16, 2021 Conference QuarterfinalsChicago FC United1–3 Flint City Bucks Valley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
4:00 PM CDT
July 16, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals Kalamazoo FC 3–1Corpus Christi FCClinton High School
Clinton, Mississippi
5:00 PM CDT
Report
July 16, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals Des Moines Menace 5–0Texas UnitedValley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:00 PM CDT
Report
July 16, 2021 Conference Quarterfinals Mississippi Brilla FC 3–1Kings Hammer FCClinton High School
Clinton, Mississippi
7:30 PM CDT
Report
July 18, 2021 Conference Semifinal Des Moines Menace 1–0Flint City BucksValley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:00 PM CDT
Report
July 18, 2021 Conference SemifinalMississippi Brilla FC1–1 (a.e.t.)
(1–4 p)		 Kalamazoo FC Clinton High School
Clinton, Mississippi
7:00 PM CDT
Report
July 23, 2021 Conference Final Des Moines Menace 2–1Kalamazoo FCValley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:30 PM CDT
Report

Western Conference Championship

July 23, 2021 Conference Final Portland Timbers U23 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		Park City Red WolvesValley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
4:30 PM CDT
Report
Penalties

USL League Two Championship

Semifinals

July 25, 2021 National Semifinal North Carolina Fusion U23 3–1Western Mass PioneersEagle Field at Erk Russell Park
Statesboro, Georgia
8:00 PM EDT
Report
July 25, 2021 National Semifinal Des Moines Menace 2–0Portland Timbers U23Valley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:30 PM CDT
Report

USL League Two Championship

July 31, 2021 Des Moines Menace 1–0 North Carolina Fusion U23 Valley Stadium
West Des Moines, Iowa
7:30 PM CDT
Report
Report		 Attendance: 7,342
Referee: Carl Armstrong

Championship MVP: Manel Busquets (DMM)

Awards

Award Winner Team Reason Ref.
Defender of the Year England Toby Sims SC United Bantams 1,108 minutes; two goals; one assist [6]
Golden Glove United States Dane Jacomen West Chester United 0.41 Goals Against Average; 9 Shutouts; 88.4% Save percentage [7]
Young (U20) Player of the Year United States Zemedkun Rodriguez Cedar Stars Rush 991 minutes; seven goals; one assist [8]
Assists Champion Brazil Joao Gomiero North Carolina Fusion U23 8 Assists [9]
England Jake Nicholson West Virginia United
Golden Boot Argentina Nicolás Molina West Virginia United 16 Goals in 13 games [10][11]
Most Valuable Player
Coach of the Year Scotland Mark McKeever Des Moines Menace 16 of 17 games won [12]
Goal of the Year Mexico Enrique Banuelos Kalamazoo FC vs Mississippi Brilla FC [13]
Save of the Year United States Trevor McMullen East Atlanta FC Penalty kick save vs Tormenta FC 2 [14]
Goalkeeper of the Year United States Drew Romig Tormenta FC 2 0.31 Goals Against Average, 5 Shutouts [15]

All-League and All-Conference Teams

[16][17][18][19][15]

Eastern Conference

F: Tyler Bagley (BOS) *, Simon Becher (OCN), Amara Sesay (MAN)
M: Zemedkun Rodriguez (CSR), Conor Bradley (WCU), Okan Golge (NJC), Ryan Becher (REA)
D: Maurice Williams (NYR), Shane Bradley (WCU), Luca Mellor (WCU) *
G: Jan Hoffelner (NJC)

Central Conference

F: Cyrus Harmon (KAL) *, Jalen James (MBR), Pol Monells (TEX)
M: Manel Busquets (DMM), Daniel Barlow (KHM), Daire O’Riordan (KAL) *, Harvey Slade (FCB)
D: Jordan Skelton (DMM) *, George Proctor (FCB), Paul Efang (KAL)
G: Alejandro Chavarria (MBR)

Southern Conference

F: Alexis Ledoux (SGT), Charles Touche (LIO), Nicolas Molina (WVU) *
M: Arnaud Baron (SCU) *, Joao Gomiero (NCF) *, Gabriel Cabral (SGT) *, Daniel Oliveira (VIL)
D: Alex Henderson (SCU), Toby Sims (SCU) *, Cristobal Molina (NCF)
G: Drew Romig (SGT) *

Western Conference

F: Ivan Mykhailenko (POR), Jose Carlos González (LAN), Evan Hoover (OVF)
M: David Brog (POR), Jose Sosa (POR), Wesley Frankel (OVF), Henry Cromack (LAN)
D: Esai Easley (POR), Emory Rapaport (POR), Carter Payne (PDX)
G: Albert Escuin (LAN)

* denotes All-League player

References

  1. ^ "USL League Two Reveals Schedule for 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "USL League Two's Southwest Division to Forgo the 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. April 6, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 SEASON UPDATE FROM TONY GLAVIN". February 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "USL League Two Announces Expanded Playoff Structure for the 2021 Season". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "League Two Announces Matchups for the 2021 League Two Playoffs". uslleaguetwo.com. USL League Two. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Toby Sims Voted the 2021 League Two Defender of the Year". USL League Two. August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dane Jacomen Named Recipient of the 2021 League Two Golden Glove Award". USL League Two. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Zemedkun Rodriguez Named 2021 League Two Young Player of the Year". USL League Two. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "Joao Gomiero and Jake Nicholson Share 2021 Assist Champion Award". USL League Two. August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nicolas Molina Named Recipient of the 2021 Golden Boot Award". USL League Two. August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "Nicolas Molina Named 2021 League Two MVP". USL League Two. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Mark McKeever Named 2021 League Two Coach of the Year". USL League Two. August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  13. ^ "Fan's Choice for Goal of the Year". USL League Two. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "Fan's Choice for Save of the Year". USL League Two. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "USL League Two 2021 All-League Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  16. ^ "USL League Two 2021 Eastern Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "USL League Two 2021 Central Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  18. ^ "USL League Two 2021 Southern Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  19. ^ "USL League Two 2021 Western Conference Team of the Year". USL League Two. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_USL_League_Two_season
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