Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 55m

"Semi-pro" 👀 🤔

Reposted by Alex Ashton

ROO TRIALIST #93 @rivercity93.bsky.social · 13h

Coach Sawatzky joins us for The Coaches Show 🎙️
We discuss the shift in mentality, player growth, leadership, and how the Kickers aim to finish the season strong.
🎧 Listen now: www.rivercity93.com/the-final-wh...
#RichmondKickers #USLLeagueOne #RVA #ForTheCity

The Final Whistle EP. 6

This episode dives deep into the heart of the Richmond Kickers’ season as Coach Darren Sawatzky joins us for his monthly check-in. We reflect on recent results and …

www.rivercity93.com

1 1

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Brett Mullenix @brettmullenix.bsky.social · 20h

New brand identity for Fort Wayne FC as they make their jump up to L1 coming 10/23 👀

My first guess based on the photo: Three Rivers FC but who knows 🤷‍♂️

www.fortwaynefc.com/news/2025/10...

Fort Wayne Football Club to hold Brand Reveal party Oct. 23

Fort Wayne Football Club will hold a Brand Reveal Party on Oct. 23 at Promenade Pavilion, 202 W. Superior Street, Fort Wayne. The free event, which is open to the public, will run 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ...

www.fortwaynefc.com

1 2 3

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Luke Martin @lukermartin.bsky.social · 1d

All the USL League One playoff scenarios you need going in to this weekend.

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 1d

Can KNX lock down the Player's Shield?
Who will secure the final home spots?
Do MAD, GVL and AV have a chance?
And why everyone should be watching CLT vs. CHA on Friday.

We go over the scenarios, and recommend on the secondary matches fans should be paying attention to this weekend.

USL League One Playoff Race Heats Up With Two Weeks Remaining

Scenarios for each remaining club in the playoff race.

beyondthe90.substack.com

2 4

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Next Pro News @nextpronews.bsky.social · 1d

🔗 - New Article!

The league announced today that a 7th independent club has officially joined the league and will be located in Long Island, NY.

Say hello to (i) The Island F.C.
open.substack.com/pub/nextpron...

Long Island, NY joins MLS NEXT Pro as the seventh independent club

MLS NEXT Pro held another “Special Announcement” today, and like previous events this one was related to expansion.

open.substack.com

1 2 5

Reposted by Alex Ashton

ROO TRIALIST #93 @rivercity93.bsky.social · 2d

The Kickers fall 1-0 to Texoma, ending their playoff hopes and slipping into a fight for the wooden spoon. We break it all down + talk Mika’s new job at Sarasota SC. 🎧
Listen now: www.rivercity93.com/triple-whammy/
#RVA #USLLeagueOne #RichmondKickers

Triple Whammy

In this episode, we unpack a tough weekend for the Richmond Kickers, highlighted by a 1-0 loss to Texoma that officially ended their playoff hopes. What started as …

www.rivercity93.com

2 3 5

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 1d

Can KNX lock down the Player's Shield?
Who will secure the final home spots?
Do MAD, GVL and AV have a chance?
And why everyone should be watching CLT vs. CHA on Friday.

We go over the scenarios, and recommend on the secondary matches fans should be paying attention to this weekend.

USL League One Playoff Race Heats Up With Two Weeks Remaining

Scenarios for each remaining club in the playoff race.

beyondthe90.substack.com

2 6

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 1d

The Niall Reid-Stephen show has Tormenta set up to clinch its first playoff spot since 2022 as soon as this weekend with a win over Greenville or a Madison draw or loss with Omaha.

(If my math checks out)

Nicholas Murray @njemurray.bsky.social · 3d

Niall Reid-Stephen scored a spectacular finish to continue his recent hot streak of eight goals and four assists in the past seven #USL-1 games to earn @tormentafc.bsky.social a 1-1 draw against Spokane Velocity FC.

Full Highlights -> www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AtZ...

1 4

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 1d

This combined with a tight race with Richmond to not get Wooden Spoon makes Westchester dangerous in its final matches - at Portland and at Chattanooga. A win in either one could have some decent consequences in playoff seeding for those sides, and makes Richmond really fight to not "win" the spoon.

Kaylor Hodges - Hammering Down @kaylorhodges.bsky.social · 1d

Something I don’t think is being talked about enough is how Obregon is probably going to win League One Golden Boot, yet Westchester is going to finish either 13th or 14th out of 14.

Easily the funniest thing I’ve witnessed in The Biggest League in the World™️

2

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 2d

Another day, another potential Florida expansion. This one jumps ahead of all the others currently under the "2027 and beyond" list. Read on for details 👀

United Soccer League Bringing Professional Soccer to Florida’s Treasure Coast

Port St. Lucie Sports Club will field professional men’s and women’s soccer teams at a new stadium located within the Walton & One mixed-use development

www.uslleagueone.com

1 3 10

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 2d

Another day, another potential Florida expansion. This one jumps ahead of all the others currently under the "2027 and beyond" list. Read on for details 👀

United Soccer League Bringing Professional Soccer to Florida’s Treasure Coast

Port St. Lucie Sports Club will field professional men’s and women’s soccer teams at a new stadium located within the Walton & One mixed-use development

www.uslleagueone.com

1 3 10

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Tom Franklin @soccerzombie.com · 2d

MLS really goes out of their way to make you absolutely despise them. It's honestly impressive.

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 3d

As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.

MLS is using generative AI to write match recaps. Writers used to get paid freelance rates to do that. Hssssss.

4 11

Reposted by Alex Ashton

3rd Degree @3rddegree.net · 2d

Match Photos: Final 2025 home game for Texoma FC 3rddegree.net/match-photos...

Match Photos: Final 2025 home game for Texoma FC - 3rd Degree

Texoma FC closed out their home slate for 2025 this weekend with a 1-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. Mike Brooks was on hand to bring us some pictures. You can

3rddegree.net

2 2

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Wes Burdine @wesburdine.bsky.social · 5d

8 8 46

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 6d

More potential Florida USL expansion

www.uslsoccer.com/news_article...

United Soccer League, Space Coast Pro Soccer Announce Intent to Bring Professional Soccer to Florida’s Space Coast

Plans include a soccer-specific stadium and professional men’s and women’s teams

www.uslsoccer.com

1 4

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Richmond Kickers @richmondkickers.bsky.social · 7d

𝔒𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔞 ℜ𝔢𝔡, 𝔞𝔩𝔴𝔞𝔶𝔰 𝔞 ℜ𝔢𝔡

Kickers Head Assistant Coach Mika Elovaara has taken a new position as Head Coach of the Sarasota Paradise!

Congratulations Mika and thank you for your deep commitment to our club over the last 7 years!

1 2 5

Reposted by Alex Ashton

The USL Show @theuslshow.bsky.social · 7d

🚨SHOW TONIGHT🚨
🎙️9pm EST/6pm PST

🥃 Hartford’s First Trophy
✌️ Santa Barbara Delayed
⚽️ So Many Super League Goals
🔝 New East Tennessee Team on Top
⚜️ Detroit’s Statement
🌎 Miami Plays Spoiler

3 11

Reposted by Alex Ashton

American Soccer Analysis @americansocceranalysis.com · 8d

USL1 Goals Added (g+) and xG Leaders ⬇️
(as of: 2025-10-06)

🤖⚽️ | #usl1

1 3

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 10d

From helping Spokane to a 1-0 win in Charlotte last night to leading Project Inspire fixtures in Knoxville this morning, Nil Vinyals does it all 🫡

2 2

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 11d

Hell, you could probably join the ownership group of some lower league clubs for these prices

2

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 11d

This weekend we'll be taking in Project Inspire matches at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, and hanging out with @knoxscruffs.bsky.social at Fred's Around the Corner to take in the Richmond vs. Knoxville match.

Come say hello!

1 3

Reposted by Alex Ashton

Nicholas Murray @njemurray.bsky.social · 12d

Three years ago, Jared Mazzola was playing for Ann Arbor FC in #USL-2, trying to manifest a pro career.

Tomorrow, he'll start for @sacrepublicfc.com in the #USLJagermeisterCup Final. Here's how he got here, with help from John Harkes & heaps of self-belief.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...

Preparation Meets Opportunity – Republic FC’s Jared Mazzola is one of the stars of this year’s USL Jagermeister Cup

Three years on from competing at Ann Arbor FC in USL League Two, the Republic FC shot-stopper has climbed the ladder and starred

www.uslchampionship.com

1 5

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 12d

And in USL League One - we haven't seen clear signs of any issues, but if any expansion side were to delay, expect announcements very soon.

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 12d

Santa Barbara Sky delays again - now 2027. Cites finalization of investors and stadium as main issues.

With the sanctioning deadline of 10/1 now passed, we await word on Brooklyn and Jax. Both have advantage of existing organization in the SuperLeague, but publicly appear behind on men's progress.

Santa Barbara Sky FC Delays to 2027

It's the second major delay for the long-running expansion club

beyondthe90.substack.com

1 6

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 12d

Santa Barbara Sky delays again - now 2027. Cites finalization of investors and stadium as main issues.

With the sanctioning deadline of 10/1 now passed, we await word on Brooklyn and Jax. Both have advantage of existing organization in the SuperLeague, but publicly appear behind on men's progress.

Santa Barbara Sky FC Delays to 2027

It's the second major delay for the long-running expansion club

beyondthe90.substack.com

2 1 4

Alex Ashton @leagueoneupdater.com · 13d

Lots of questions on how serious this club is, but stating intentions like this is enough to at least add them to my list of expansions to keep an eye on.

3