With two months until USL League One’s opening weekend, teams have been ramping up their rosters, hiring new coaches and staff members, and going from zero players to a full starting XIs in a matter of days. From national team veterans to players signing their first professional contracts, the league’s second season will have a variety of guys looking to make their mark, but which ones will make the biggest impact? These are my ten favorite offseason moves so far.

Greenville Triumph Sign Brandon Fricke

With the departure of Kevin Politz to USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic, Greenville lost an important piece of its league-leading defense that conceded just 23 goals and kept 14 clean sheets in 2019. So how does Greenville replace one of the best defenders in the league? With a player who ranked in the top five in blocks, clearances, and aerial duels won. Fricke will be a key member of Greenville’s backline as the club looks to replicate its 2019 defensive success. The side may never lose another header again with Cole Seiler and Fricke playing next to each other. The defensive duo ranked first and fifth in the league, respectively, in aerial duels won in 2019.

Kyle Venter to Richmond Kickers

Speaking of top defenders in the league, newly appointed Richmond Kickers Sporting Director and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky chose the perfect player to bring with him from FC Tucson to help cure his new club’s defensive woes. After allowing two or more goals in 12 games last year, Richmond brought in a defender who led the league in blocked shots and won the highest percentage of aerial duels a season ago. Venter, who captained the FC Tucson side, received praise from Sawatzky for his leadership abilities and is a likely candidate to take the armband in Richmond. The 6-3 center back will solidify the Kickers’ defense and pose a threat on attacking set pieces after scoring four goals for FTC in 2019.