It’s easy to associate free-flowing, high-possession offense with success, but that isn’t always the case. Week 23 across the USL was a case in point. Clubs from Tampa Bay to Detroit to Rhode Island found success by playing against the ball; ascendant New Mexico and Las Vegas sides that usually dominate the ball relied upon the counter.
There isn’t one way to win in the Championship, and this weekend’s action rewarded the clubs that could mix it up. Who’s up and who’s down after a jam-packed matchweek? Let’s dig in.
1. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Trending: +1
Result: 3-0 win at Orange County
Tampa Bay entered Week 23 four points clear in the Players’ Shield race while sporting a +17 expected goal difference, 30% better than the next-best club in the USL. To argue that the Rowdies needed help would’ve felt silly. Even so, this team has struggled to replace Brian Schaefer’s excellence at right-sided center back and felt undermanned at right back. Enter Conner Antley, who’s a solution at either spot.
Antley spent 2021 through 2023 in Tampa Bay before stepping up to a rotation role with DC United. The 31-year-old played more than 1,000 MLS minutes last year but saw his time reduced this season; hence, a return to Florida on loan made sense for all involved. Antley’s blend of size, vision, and precise deep crossing makes him the perfect fit for the Dom Casciato version of this club.
Marco Micaletto bags his third goal in three games to double the @TampaBayRowdies lead! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2c75fM192o
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 9, 2026
With that extra help in tow, Tampa Bay travelled to Orange County to face down the top team in the Western Conference. After last week’s rapturous comeback against Louisville, Max Schneider started in central defense, and the degree to which the Rowdies willingly played against the ball despite using a No. 6 in their back line was noticeable. Casciato’s 4-2-3-1 flashes some high pressure but mostly let OCSC possess. Mid-block aggression and opportunistic trapping against the sidelines were the focus, and the intent was to pull Orange County out of their USL-best block shape by goading the hosts forward and creating semi-transitional chances.
Russell Cicerone set the tone for that system. The left winger was ferocious closing down when OCSC tried to slide up the sidelines, with his work rate constantly denying clean entry angles. Likewise, Cicerone was a menace when the ball turned over and Tampa Bay could push forward. The winger didn’t get on the score sheet, but he set the tone, bought space for teammates like Marco Micaletto, and spaced the field to constantly challenge Orange County.
