The USL offseason technically ends in March when the new season begins, but training camps start a month earlier. That means we’re nearly halfway through the peak transfer period of the offseason. There’s plenty of business yet to come, but we’ve already seen a number of hugely consequential additions.
Which signings stand out above the rest so far? I’ve got nine picks that’ll be crucial in the 2026 season.
Mikey Maldonado, CM, San Antonio FC
You could choose any of San Antonio’s first three signings for this list – I love the additions of Akeem Ward and Cristian Parano – but getting Mikey Maldonado from North Carolina FC takes the cake. Maldonado is one of the USL’s best progressive passers and set-piece takers, a steady No. 6 or No. 8 fit for a team that sorely lacked such a player last year.
