For many years, the USL has seen the level of its international contingent steadily rise, but 2016 brought an unprecedented number of full and youth internationals to the fore and elevating the league competition. In fact, almost one-third of the players – more than 220 total – in the USL this season had represented their country at the U17 level or higher internationally.

Raising the bar in 2016 were new faces such as Saint Louis FC and El Salvador forward Irvin Herrera, whose 14 goals earned him All-League honors at the end of the season. His outstanding finishing, exemplified by strikes such as this against Rio Grande Valley FC, lit up World Wide Technology Soccer Park on a regular basis over the course of the season.