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2026 USL2 Mid-Atlantic Division Power Rankings
The 2026 USL2 season kicked off this past weekend with Philadelphia Lone Star pulling off a 3-1 upset at home against defending division champions West Chester United. The 2026 edition of USL2 features plenty of new faces in the league’s Mid-Atlantic Division, spanning eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. USL2 rosters change drastically year over year, consisting mostly of college-level under-23 talent looking for game time over the summer. In addition to the new players, two new teams have joined the Mid-Atlantic Division, alongside one club that returns from a hiatus in 2026.
Here are my pre-season power rankings for the 2026 season.
1. West Chester United SC
As the returning title holders, West Chester return to USL2 play in 2026 with a potentially stronger lineup. The stacked roster includes Maryland’s Henry Bernstein, Penn State’s Jonathan Evans, Wake Forest’s Danny Krueger, and incoming Pitt transfer Caden Grabfelder. West Chester balances exciting talent with experience, bringing along club veterans Ridge Robinson, Ayoub Mouhou, and Jacob Weaver. On top of the elite NCAA talent, West Chester adds recent high school graduates Declan and Ronan Sullivan, coming off a SAFF-U20 title with Bangladesh in April. West Chester will be the team to beat in the Mid-Atlantic this year.
Despite the shock loss in their first match, I expect West Chester to bounce back. Starting their season a bit earlier than other teams, West Chester did not have their full selection of college talent available for the match, suggesting they will bounce back in the coming matches.
2. Ocean City Nor’Easters
I anticipate the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Division title to be a two-horse race, similar to the 2025 season. Ocean City bring another strong roster into 2026, featuring New Jersey natives Owen Moore of Drexel and Devon Stopek of Rutgers. In attack, The Nor’Easters will run out fellow YSC Academy products Caden Stafford of Providence and Division II standout Jacques Mason of Wilmington University. Allen Saye Blegay is one of the shining young talents of the team, returning for 2026 after leading the 2025 Nor’Easters in minutes before his freshman season at Seattle University. As a Canadian U17 international, it will be interesting to see what strides Saye Blegay makes in his second season. Team veteran and Seton Hall standout Nico Rubio returns for his 4th season. Expect Ocean City to challenge West Chester for the division title.
3. PA Classics
As USL2 debutants, I expect PA Classics to be one of the “best of the rest” in the Mid-Atlantic. Despite the lack of USL2 experience, PA Classics has an abundance of talent to pull from given their history as a top academy in Pennsylvania, with their home base located in Manheim. The roster is headlined by a trio of former academy players currently at Cornell, including Caden Bredeman, Nate Hovan, and Bennett Wehibe. Georgetown’s Jack Brown and USF’s Dominic Wilson will add firepower to this PA Classics team. Don’t expect them to be pushovers this summer.
4. Reading United AC
It’s a challenge to predict where Reading United will finish this year after the departure of some of the team’s veteran leaders. Still, the new additions bring plenty to be excited about. College of Charleston duo Michiharu Takanashi and Lennon Gill will bring goals to the team. Syracuse’s Quinn Olcott is a signature addition to the midfield, and former United Soccer Coaches High School All-American Davin Millisock returns for his second Reading United season. I anticipate Reading will end up in the middle of the division, but this team will not be easy to beat.
5. Real Central NJ
Real Central NJ might not be the flashiest team, but has a real shot to climb even higher in the standings than #5. Returning almost a full starting eleven of players from last season, the continuity and familiarity will be the strength of this team. Central NJ will be led at the back by Penn mainstay Malachi Neal, one of their own academy products. Twins Andrew and Charlie Kitch are crucial additions for RCNJ, with Andrew leading the line in attack and Charlie in defense. I am expecting a mid-table finish, but this team has the potential to move even higher.
6.Philadelphia Lone Star FC
Lone Star return to USL2 in 2026 after a hiatus in which their first team played in UPSL. It will be hard to predict how they’ll finish given the time off, but I foresee a mid-table finish in the Mid-Atlantic. Former Trinidad & Tobago international Jariel Arthur will lead the line, supported by Mohamed Bility with Amadou Kamagate pulling the strings behind them. Jefferson’s Brandon Murataj will shore up the defense. Lone Star’s veteran squad could pose issues for opponents. An impressive 3-1 win over West Chester to open the season was a statement by Lone Star. Let’s see if they can keep it up.
7. Delaware FC
Delaware FC struggled in their debut USL2 season in 2025, but I anticipate some of those growing pains to be put to rest in the 2026 season. Sean Duffy returns for the Ospreys in 2026, and Villanova’s Balthazar Buccini is a notable addition to the team. Brothers Bryce and Tyler Flowers of Wilmington, Delaware join their hometown team this summer. Expect Delaware to take a baby step forward this season.
8. Lehigh Valley United / PA Rush “LVU Rush”
The Lehigh Valley United and PA Rush merger did not go to plan at the USL2 level last season as the LVU Rush finished in last place in the Mid-Atlantic, behind debutants Delaware. Still, some signature additions appeared on their roster ahead of this season. Former NCAA Champion goalkeeper Lou Liedtka will lead the team after his short-term contract with Union II last season. ECNL U17 All-American Nico Bustos will play in defense or in midfield ahead of his freshman season at Lehigh. These pieces make LVU worth watching, but only time will tell if they are ready to compete with the bulk of the Mid-Atlantic.
9. Eagle FC
Eagle FC finds themselves at the bottom of the power rankings less due to players on the roster and more due to the fact that clubs making their debut in the division often struggle in year one. Eagle FC also have a less flashy pool of former academy players to pull from than PA Classics. Still, I am very intrigued by some of the pieces on the roster. Eric Axtman will be the goalkeeper after leading Lafayette to a Patriot League title and NCAA Tournament appearance. Desmond Mensah, a player I consider to be a potential professional prospect, joins the team after an impressive freshman season at High Point. I still consider Eagle FC far off the top of the division, yet not far off the likes of Delaware and LVU Rush.
The USL2 season continues this week as LVU Rush, Eagle FC, and PA Classics make their season debuts. LVU Rush host West Chester on Tuesday, May 12th at Muhlenberg. On Saturday, May 16th, Lone Star look to build on their strong start at 4 p.m. at home against Eagle FC. Later on Saturday, West Chester look to bounce back at home against PA Classics at 7 p.m.
