Between the USL Championship and USL League One, nearly 650 matches will make up the 2026 season. As the regular season breaks for another weekend of USL Cup action, we’re 26% of the way through that slate.
At the quarter mark in the campaign, which players have made the strongest all-USL cases? I’m picking the best lineup for both the Championship and League One to find out.
USL Championship
Rubio Rubin, ST, El Paso Locomotive
Rubio Rubin might be the most important player in the league in 2026, even in a season full of strong striker play across the Championship. The No. 9 already has seven goals and two assists for El Paso, and they’ve come in a variety of situations. For one, Rubin is an excellent transition player. He’s currently fifth in the USL with 1.5 xG+xA on the break. The 30-year-old is equally imposing in settled situations, providing an unmatched quality of movement in the box. The Locomotive run on Rubin’s presence.
