NISA Off-season Transfer Prospects
Part 1: Goalkeepers and Defenders
It’s the warm hot plate season in lower league pro soccer as teams bring back players and start filling holes created by releasing others. This two-article series will look at the players from the 2023 NISA season who should be on the radar of other organizations.
Specifically, the framing of this will be on USL League One teams. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a number of players make the semi-lateral leap from NISA to USL1 and be successful doing so. It’s a move that seems to be the most available and reasonable for NISA players.
I’ve put together a very rough scale of where I rank these players. “Stater” speaks for itself while “Roster” is the rank for those players who should be able to compete on a USL1 team today. “Offseason camp” are those players that I believe USL1 teams should bring into offseason camp and get ample time to prove they can make a USL1 roster. “Tryouts” means that, at the very least, USL1 teams should be in contract with these players’ agents to work them out.
Goalkeepers
NISA has been a league with top-notch goalkeepers. The big issue with recommending keepers to get looks from other teams is the sheer lack of opportunities at the position. Most teams only keep two keepers on their roster at any time. That practically means that keepers who have the talent to move up just don’t have the opportunity to do so.
Offseason camp
Image courtesy of Michigan Stars.
Tatenda Mkuruva (GK) - Michigan Stars FC
1 April 1996 (27 years old), 6’2” (187cm), ZIM
Tatenda Mkuruva is one of the best goalkeepers in NISA history. He has been the starting keeper for the Stars since that team entered the league. Mkuruva is a smart soccer player who anchors a top-notch defense and plays with more skill than belies his height. A fierce competitor, Mkuruva is not afraid to challenge attackers. A knock against him has been that he too-often ranges away from the goal. But, as this seems to be a trend now in soccer, that should not be a red mark against him.
Ben Roach (GK) - ALBION San Diego
12 March 1999 (24 years old), 6’3” (191cm), 169lbs (77kg), USA
Ben Roach finished his second season as the starting goalkeeper and played every minute for ALBION San Diego. Tall and rangy Roach has quick reflexes and can make scrambling saves to keep opponents from scoring off near-sure scoring opportunities. Roach is often asked to clean up messes caused by ALBION’s up tempo attack and is able to make saves in bunches. He has the talent to be on a USL1 roster if there is space for him.
Tryouts
Alex Sutton (GK) - Maryland Bobcats
26 May 2000 (23 years old), 6’1” (185cm), USA
The Maryland Bobcats had big shoes to fill at the keeper position with the loss of 2022 starter, Felix Annan. Sutton came to the Bobcats as a three-year starter from Lafayette College. While Sutton perhaps doesn’t have the athleticism of Annan he more than makes up for that by rarely making errors, having good positioning, and steady hands. Sutton also has a cannon of a right foot. Sutton quickly locked down Maryland’s starting keeper position and ended up starting 21 of 24 regular season matches for the Bobcats. He ended the 2023 season second among NISA keepers with a 0.80 Goals Against Average.
Defenders
The defender position may be the one that has found the most traction in USL League One and USL Championship.
Starter
Aydan Bowers (LCB) - Chattanooga FC
1 July 1997 (26 years old), USA
Aydan Bowers has been one of the best center backs in NISA since joining in 2020 with the California United Strikers. When that team disbanded, Bowers joined Chattanooga FC for the 2023 season. He was one of the CFC players not retained following that club’s shift from NISA to MLS Next Pro this offseason. Not the typical lumbering CB, Bowers is relatively mobile for players of his position and is also dangerous scoring on set pieces. A veteran presence that should be welcome to most USL1 teams.
Jimmy Filerman (LWB/LB) - Maryland Bobcats
11 November 1996 (27 years old), USA
One of the questions this offseason in USL1 is “Who will be the next Tate Robertson?” What about the player who was Tate Robertson before Tate Robertson? Jimmy Filerman spent time with Greenville Triumph in 2022 after winning NISA championships with Detroit City FC. A number of factors led him to join the Maryland Bobcats for 2023. Filerman is a wing back/fullback that is a perfect fit for the right team in USL1. He is able to range up and down the left side. Filerman is vital in connecting the defense, midfield and attackers. He provides excellent service and can cut inside and create opportunities. He should be on a USL1 roster in 2024.
Garrett Hogbin (CB) - Michigan Stars FC
8 April 1998 (25 years old), 6’2” (188cm), 190lbs (86lbs), USA
Garrett Hogbin was paired with Aydan Bowers on the California United Strikers as arguably the most talented center back duo in NISA’s recent history. Hogbin was signed by the Michigan Stars for the 2023 season. A big, prototypical shutdown CB, Hogbin is a bane for any attackers. He also can be counted on to score multiple goals during a season. Hogbin is in his playing prime and should be on any USL team looking for help in defense.
Kyle Nelson is a veteran with plenty of tread left on his tires. Image courtesy of Flower City Union.
Kyle Nelson (RB/RCB) - Flower City Union
7 January 1997 (26 years old), 6’2” (188cm), 185lbs (84kg), USA
Kyle Nelson (and Stephen Elias, see below) was pivotal for the two teams that won the past two NISA titles. Nelson is a veteran who has USL Championship experience with Charleston Battery. He understands soccer and the position he can play so he can fit into most schemes with little trouble. Nelson can sit back and defend as a CB or be more aggressive in attack and defense as a full back. Leadership is a major benefit of bringing Nelson onto a team.
Roster
Anthony Bowie (D/M) - Michigan Stars FC
7 October 1997 (26 years old), 5’10” (178cm), 169lbs (77kg), USA
Anthony Bowie joined NISA after college in 2021 with Chicago House AC. After that team disbanded, Bowie joined the Michigan Stars for the past two seasons. Bowie has the talent to play across the pitch from left back to right central midfield. The ability to have that flexibility while also playing at a high level should be a beacon for most USL1 teams. Bowie is also a difference maker who seems to shine in the most important games. He is the type of player that USL1 teams love to have on their roster.
Anthony Patti (LCB) - ALBION San Diego
28 November 2002 (21 years old), 6’2” (188cm), 154lbs (70kg), BRA/USA
Left-footed Anthony Patti is young, talented and has a season as a starting professional center back. Patti signed with ALBION after his sophomore season with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He immediately locked down the LCB position and impressed fans and front offices alike with his play. Patti is ready to move on to the next level.
Offseason camp
Artem Baranovskyi (CB) - Michigan Stars FC
17 March 1990 (33 years old), 6’3” (190cm), UKR
A veteran of the Ukrainian professional leagues, Artem Baranovskyi joined the Michigan Stars for the 2023 season. While nearing the end of his career, Baranovskyi could bring veteran presence and depth to a USL1 team. He brings talent, skill and an understanding of the game which would, except for his age, put him at the “Roster” level.
Prosper Figbe (CB) - Michigan Stars FC
30 October 1996 (27 years old), 6’2” (188cm), 200lbs (91kg), NGA
The Michigan Stars love to prioritize depth at the position defender, this led to Prosper Figbe getting lost in the shuffle a bit during the 2023 season. Figbe is a product of the Virginia Cavaliers and spent time in the USL Championship with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He has all the tools you want at the center back position. And, with a year back in the pro ranks to shake off some rust, Figbe is well worth being given a chance to work for a spot on a USL1 team.
Tryouts
Brown made 13 appearances for the Bobcats this season. Image courtesy of Maryland Bobcats.
Philip Brown (RCB) - Maryland Bobcats
28 June 2004 (19 years old), 6’2” (188cm), 195lbs (88.5kg), USA
Philip Brown spent some time in 2022 with the Maryland Bobcats as a reserve before joining the roster as a regular in 2023. Brown was called upon to be a starting CB at the end of Maryland’s season and played well. He’s a prototypical center back: big, athletic, and not afraid to break down attackers. Sometimes that means he is overly aggressive and is prone to fouling at inopportune times. Brown is still only 19 and is primed to develop into a quality soccer player given the right opportunity.
Filip Burnett (RB) - Maryland Bobcats
18 December 1998 (24 years old), 5’8” (172cm), 156lbs (71kg), USA
Filip Burnett was a starter at Liberty University before being invited to Lexington SC’s inaugural 2023 campaign. Burnett wasn’t picked up by Lexington but joined Maryland and became the regular starter at RB due to a spate of injuries. Given the opportunity Burnett played well for Maryland. A speedy full back, Burnett was also able to stick with and shut down even the best wing players in NISA. Burnett also provides good attacking options when he presses up the right wing. His crosses into the penalty area are regularly dangerous.
Andres Chalbaud (LB) - Michigan Stars FC
26 December 1994 (28 years old), 5’11” (180cm), 165lbs (75kg), VEN/USA
Yet another veteran defensive presence on the Michigan Stars, Andres Chalbaud has been integral for helping the team make it to two straight NISA Championship games. He plays a more attacking style for the Stars at left back which should mean a good fit for USL1. Chalbaud was tied for most assists in NISA for the 2023 season.
- Dan Creel