All-Tournament Teams honored from 2023 USL Academy League Playoffs

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced the 2023 USL Academy League Playoffs All-Tournament Teams, honoring the top performers from the final event of the league campaign in the Tampa Bay region this past weekend.

Finalists the Charlotte Independence and Orange County SC each earned four selections to the All-Tournament First Team, with Golden Ball winner Braden Gritz leading the Independence’s selections. He was joined by co-Golden Glove winner Hever Delgado-Melchor, defender Ryan Behrmann and midfielder Isaac Scheer, each of whom made key contributions during their side’s run to the title in Sunday’s final. (Read More on the Award Winners)

Orange County’s selections, meanwhile, were led by forward Bryce Jamison, who shared the Golden Boot award with Gritz after each player scored three goals in four games at the event. The U.S. U-17 international was joined as a First Team selection by defenders Joseph Buckley and Tarek Hamideh and midfielder Nico Ruiz, each of whom impressed in the games leading up to and during Sunday’s Final.

Two members of AC Connecticut also earned First Team selection. Young Player of the Tournament winner Jack Ryan was joined by defender Trevor Pegg, while San Antonio FC’s Adrian Valencia rounded out the First Team selections.

Throughout the 2023 USL Academy League Playoffs, the Talent Identification process involved all coaches and technical staff from each of the participating clubs, who provided feedback and consultation following the conclusion of each day of the tournament.

The final selections of the 2023 USL Academy League Playoffs All-Tournament Teams were made by the USL Sporting Department.

HONORABLE MENTION: GK Jack Ammann, Charlotte Independence; D Ivan Escobedo, El Paso Locomotive FC; M Joseph Abdenour, North Carolina FC; M Jonathan Gomez, Orange County SC; F Vincent Gallardo, Charlotte Independence; F Endri Mustali, Tampa Bay United; F Ben Zec, Indy Eleven