In just over 40 days, the 2026 USL season is slated to kick off. Last week, training camps began in earnest across the Championship. It’s been a full offseason already; there’ve been no less than 150 player signings and opening weekend in March will feature the debuts of eight new coaches.
Plenty more news is on the way, but the competitive outlook for 2026 is coming into view. Where do the Championship’s 25 clubs land? I’m ranking them to help find out.
1. Lexington SC
Last winter, I wrote this same column and bought into the hype of a Rhode Island FC side that “won the offseason” with the right mix of carryover talent and smart additions. That conclusion, of course, was very incorrect! Still, Lexington’s supercharged version of that formula recommends them as the top team in the Championship.
