2019 BGN USL Championship Predictions

March 5, 2019 Carson A Merk Nashville SC, USL News, Phoenix Rising FC, USL Championship

Ahead of the USL Championship kicking off the 2019 season, the esteemed members of the BGN family made their predictions for the upcoming campaign.

After what always seems like an eternity, the offseason is officially over and USL Championship soccer returns on Friday. There have been a lot of changes including the branding, now carrying 36 clubs, and player movement that would make your head spin. Before the whistle blows to kick off RGV FC vs. Tacoma Defiance, we turned to our USL experts across the entire BGN family for their season predictions. (If we’re right, please bring up this article often. If we’re wrong, pretend you never read it. Thanks)

Eastern Conference Regular Season Champions

1. Nashville SC (41.6%)

T-2. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (16.6%)

T-2. Louisville City FC (16.6%)

T-2. Indy Eleven (16.6%)

Others receiving votes: Hartford Athletic, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Western Conference Regular Season Champions

1. Phoenix Rising FC (70.8%)

2. Sacramento Republic FC (25%)

3. San Antonio FC (4.2%)

USL Cup Winner

1. Phoenix Rising FC (33.3%)

2. Nashville SC (29.1%)

3. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12.5%)

Others receiving votes: Orange County SC, Sacramento Republic FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Louisville City FC

Surprise Team (better than expected)

1. New Mexico United

T-2. Las Vegas Lights FC

T-2. El Paso Locomotives

3. Birmingham Legion FC

Others receiving one vote apiece: RGV FC, Memphis 901 FC, Charlotte Independence, OKC Energy FC, Tacoma Defiance, Loudoun United, Bethlehem Steel FC, Tulsa Roughnecks FC, New York Red Bulls 2, Fresno FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Golden Boot

1. Cameron Lancaster

2. Dane Kelly

3. Daniel Rios

Others receiving one vote apiece: Omar Salgado (EP), Brian Brown (RNO), Enzo Martinez (CHA), Thomas Enevoldsen (IND), Kris Tyrpak (AUS), Neco Brett (PIT), Chandler Hoffman (BIR), Michael Seaton (OC)

Assist Leader

1. Aodhan Quinn

2. Ilija Ilic

3. Kharlton Belmar

Others receiving one vote apiece: Lebo Moloto (NSH), Daniel Rios (NSH), Jared Stroud (NY), Jorge Escamilla (FRS), Jorge Herrera (CHA), Santi Moar (NM), Nico Rittmeyer (CHS), Antoine Hoppenot (TB)

Most Valuable Player

1. Cameron Lancaster

T-2. Dane Kelly

T-2. Enzo Martinez

T-2. Daniel Rios

Others receiving once vote apiece: Cameron Iwasa (SAC), John McCarthy (TB), Solomon Asante (PHX), Sammy Ochoa (LV), Aodhan Quinn (OC), Neco Brett (PIT), Thomas Vancaeyezeele (PIT), Chandler Hoffman (BIR)

Away trip you would most like to make in 2019?

T-1. New Mexico United

T-1. San Antonio FC

T-1. Charleston Battery

T-2. Hartford Athletic

T-2. Las Vegas Lights FC

T-2. Memphis 901 FC

Others receiving one vote apiece: Reno 1868 FC, Louisville City FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, Birmingham Legion FC, Nashville SC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Real Monarchs SLC, Charlotte Independence, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.