John Morrissey
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usltactics.com
John Morrissey
@usltactics.com
Co-host of @theuslshow.bsky.social, contributor at @Backheeled.com. Did oppo scouting and data for the Sacramento Republic and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Pinned
Why yes, I do…

(Free agent list coming later when more teams have announced)

www.usltactics.com/usl-transfer...
I’m still buying the potential on Gnaulati even if he failed to make the offensive leap last year. In the right system, he’s got the potential to really be a player.
January 9, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Berry put up “Kim Jong Un election” numbers during his runs with San Diego Loyal, major get to replace Jennings and Myers in the Lowcountry.
Sources: Charleston Battery finalizing a deal to sign forward Miguel Berry.

Berry, 28, scored 13 MLS goals between stints for Columbus, D.C., Atlanta and LA Galaxy.
January 9, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
And follow Josh on BlueSky! Support local journalism and encourage him to post more here :)
Want coverage of @fortwaynefc.bsky.social delivered right to your inbox? Want to support local journalism and coverage of USL League One? Sign up for the free newsletter through the Journal Gazette:

www.journalgazette.net/newsletter/?...
www.journalgazette.net
January 9, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Kinda awesome that Boise decided to build a legitimate Championship roster.
January 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has acquired forward Albert Dikwa via transfer from Rhode Island FC, returning the 2023 #USL-C Player of the Year to the Hounds for a second stint.

Dikwa recorded 19 goals and 10 assists for RIFC across all comps over two seasons.
www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC acquires Albert Dikwa via transfer from Rhode Island FC
2023 USL Championship Player of the Year returns for second stint with Hounds as club’s second-leading scorer all-time
www.uslchampionship.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
ICYMI: I’m kicking off the new year with 10 predictions for 2026. Which League One team is gonna win it all? Which Championship star is bound for a transfer?

All that and more here. ⬇️

www.backheeled.com/10-usl-predi...
10 USL predictions for 2026: Pro-rel delays, MVP favorite & more
Here’s what you should expect from the USL in 2026.
www.backheeled.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The Kyle Scott move to Las Vegas is now official, and they’re getting one of the premier deep-lying creators in the USL. This Lights team has improved at every position group this winter, but Scott is the caliber of initiator that can bring it all together.
January 8, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Come find out how 2026 is going to go down with my annual USL predictions!
A new year means the 2026 USL season is just around the corner 👀

@usltactics.com examines what's to come for the USL with 10 predictions, ranging from off-field trends to tactical shifts to players due for a breakout.

Read ⤵️
10 USL predictions for 2026: Pro-rel delays, MVP favorite & more
Here’s what you should expect from the USL in 2026.
www.backheeled.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Getting Ostrem and Nigro is the kind of greed they talked about in the bible
January 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Great as always from Jeff Carlisle, and the image rights stuff is fascinating. I reported earlier this week that the USL's Konami deal alone generates a huge profit, and that's before you consider any other sponsorships or licenses on the table.
January 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
🔥NEW KIT ALERT🔥
We partnered with Equipt Studios to present to you the 2025 Sash of Champions kit.

The area codes for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Knoxville, Vermont, Utah United, and Hartford are all featured on the kit.

Like, share, and click the link below!

www.equiptstudios.com/shop/theusls...
January 7, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
NEWSLETTER: With the USL Championship’s last CBA now expired, I recap how we got here. That, plus:

⭐️ League One signing catch-up
🚂 El Paso’s coaching hire
🧡 Halfway all-Super League picks

www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...
The Back Four: CBA, etc.
CBA chatter, plus all-Super League picks, El Paso, and more
www.usltactics.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
flying to Cedar Rapids for work on the first real day of the new year is like a bad dream
January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
NEWSLETTER: With the USL Championship’s last CBA now expired, I recap how we got here. That, plus:

⭐️ League One signing catch-up
🚂 El Paso’s coaching hire
🧡 Halfway all-Super League picks

www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...
The Back Four: CBA, etc.
CBA chatter, plus all-Super League picks, El Paso, and more
www.usltactics.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
It’s that part of January where I’m mentally like “damn I wish I could quit my job and just cover soccer”
January 2, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Swan was at his best as a No. 9 with Rapids 2 in Next Pro and with IU, as you can see across his finishes here. Typically ambitious move from Charleston.
January 2, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Enormous move for New Mexico. United clicked when they leaned into a slightly more vertical approach that maximized speed on the flanks, and Reid-Stephen's mix of pace with end product is made for that kind of soccer. He should excel in the Championship.
January 1, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
The USL offseason has been historically busy — we've seen spending sprees, free agent splashes, and new records 👀

But which signings stand out above the rest?

@usltactics.com examines the best offseason moves (so far) ⤵️
The best moves of the USL offseason (so far): Lexington SC’s historic spending & more
These signings might just play a big role in how the 2026 season plays out.
www.backheeled.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM
NEW: With the 2025 portion of the USL offseason in the books, I’m picking my favorite signings.

From an under-the-radar member of Tampa Bay’s haul to a star prospect heading to the New York Cosmos, see what’s catching my eye. www.backheeled.com/best-usl-cha...
The best moves of the USL offseason (so far): Lexington SC’s historic spending & more
These nine picks will be crucial to how the 2026 season plays out.
www.backheeled.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Start your 2026 right by checking in with The USL Show! We catch up on the latest about the now-expired Championship CBA and then reflect on the year that was.

www.youtube.com/live/ATimRzY...
Locked Out
YouTube video by The USL Show
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Live in five to talk about the expiry of the current USL Championship CBA and reflect on the year that was!
LIVE IN ONE HOUR! Join us as we discuss

🔒 The Lock Out
💰 The Finances
🏥 The Reason
✅ The Best of 2025
❌ The Worst of 2025

LINK BELOW⬇️⬇️
www.youtube.com/live/ATimRzY...
January 1, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Because I lead a very exciting social life, I’ll be podcasting tonight.

Drop any questions or favorite 2025 USL moments below, and then come join us to talk CBA and reflect on the year.
SHOW TONIGHT!

What was your:
1. Favorite USL Moment in 2025
2. Least Favorite USL Moment in 2025

We're discuss them live on air! (and some of that pesky USL CBA talk...)
🚨TOMORROW🚨

While the rest of the World celebrates 2025 and brings in the new year, The USL Show is going LIVE to discuss the impending Championship Lockout, the ramifications, and a little bit of looking back at an incredible USL season.

🎤9pm ET/6pm PT🎤
December 31, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
Third try. USLPA director Connor Tobin on @mkickaround.bsky.social right now with CBA expiring tonight. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBf...
MK Live! Rendering Ratings & Year End Morning Kickaround Best Of 2025
YouTube video by Morning Kickaround
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by John Morrissey
A deal for the Charleston Battery to send USL star Juan David Torres on loan to Peruvian club Sport Boys is close, per source.

Sport Boys will have a $400,000 purchase option — that would make Torres' Charleston exit one of the richest outgoing moves in USL history.

🇵🇪 💰
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by John Morrissey
NEW: It's the end-of-year special for the newsletter. First up, I take nearly 400 USL free agents and rank them by position – who are the best players left on the market?
Then, I get self-indulgent and comb through the year in movies.

Check in!
www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...
The Back Four: Free Agency Big Board
Featuring the big free agent list and my annual movie rank
www.usltactics.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM