The Eastern Conference is more competitive than ever this season, and iron sharpens iron, as the Long Island Rough Riders showed. They always had a talented roster leading up to the USL League 2 Finals against the Ventura County Fusion. They feature well on the list, as do many other dominant figures throughout the season.
GK – Wessel Spiel (LIR) – A strong figure in Long Island’s defence, Spiel’s towering presence put fear in the minds of any attacker looking to break through Long Island’s goal. and it started with Speel behind.
D – Moyes Bombito (SEA) – One of the frontrunners for Defender of the Year, Bombito couldn’t stop making big plays for the Seacoast United Phantoms. He led the back line of perhaps the best defensive team in the league and was praised for his efforts not only by his own coach but also by his rivals.
D – Bjarne Thiessen (LIR) – Captain of Long Island and was a fan favorite. He made his presence felt as a big German defender and was also a member of Ruff his Riders. He played big, scored big goals, and led the Roughriders to a big season, so it turned out to be a worthwhile effort to come back and lead them another summer.
D – Nicolas Oberlauf (WMP) -Oberrauch, another captain on our list, was a major factor leading the Western Mass Pioneers to a dominant winning streak after a lackluster start. The Pioneers looked to be in trouble after his three games, but it was Oberlauf’s leadership and all of the others that allowed him to have a great year in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Thanks to the players selected from the conference.
D – Samory Powder (HVH) – Powder was voted by fans and coaches as the League Two Defender and Player of the Year. From right back he scored 6 goals and 6 assists Powder rioted in his one of League Two’s best metropolitan division.
M – Tyg Healy (SEA) – Healy was Seacoast United’s top scorer and top goal contributor overall, helping to complement their stellar defense. A total of 11 contributions during the season, including a hat-trick performance against AC Connecticut in June, earned him the recognition to be on this list.
M – Diba Nuevo (VER) – If you’ve ever seen a match on the Vermont Green, you’ve seen the passion and skill of Diba Nuwebo. Nwegbo scored more often than not, including accomplishing his trick with a speedy hat that gave Black Rock FC a big win. He was the expansion club’s leading goalscorer, playing only 600 minutes and scoring on average every 66 minutes.
M – Peter Stroud (MOT/TOB) – Stroud is one of the most admired young college footballers in the country. After a season splitting time between FC Motown and Tobacco Road FC, Stroud will be on his watch list all preseason for the upcoming college season.
F – Ben Stitz (CHR) – Top goal contributor not just for the team, but for the entire league. Stitz recorded a total of 27 contributions this year, which, in addition to his assists title, allowed Golden his boots to top his race.
F – Ryan Carmichael (LIR) – Carmichaels were Long Island’s top goal contributors and the exclusive club for players with double-digit goals this season. He was a regular in his last two games of the season where he scored five goals and scored in every playoff match he appeared in against the Raiders in the run-up to his final appearance in the playoffs.
F – Blaudilio Rodriguez (WMP) – Pioneers won when Rodriguez scored. It’s as easy as that. As Rodriguez scored his one of his ten goals with the Pioneers this season, the club he was 6-0-0. He was a key member of the Western Mass Attack and the whole team was on the move when he was around.
