The 2023 USL Championship All-League First Team honors the premier performers of the season, featuring standout players such as Golden Boot winner Albert Dikwa, creative playmaker Jorge Hernández, and Defender of the Year Arturo Ordóñez. Selected via a vote from club leadership and media, these eleven players represented the pinnacle of tactical excellence and individual skill across the league's 24-club landscape.
The 2023 USL Championship season was a landmark year for North American soccer, characterized by record-breaking individual performances and a highly competitive race for the Players' Shield. The announcement of the All-League First Team serves as the definitive historical record of the athletes who dictated the tempo of the game, provided the clinical finishes, and anchored the most resolute defenses. As we evaluate these selections from the perspective of 2026, the 2023 roster remains a benchmark for scouting and talent development within the league.
The Selection Process and Criteria
The USL Championship All-League teams are determined through a comprehensive voting process designed to balance statistical output with subjective tactical impact. The voting body typically consists of three primary groups: club management (Head Coaches and General Managers), local media representatives from each market, and national soccer journalists who cover the league extensively.
To be eligible for the First Team, players must have demonstrated consistency throughout the 34-game regular season. While postseason performance is often fresh in the minds of voters, the All-League honors are technically regular-season awards. The 2023 selections reflected a heavy emphasis on Opta-driven statistics, including expected goals (xG), chances created, and defensive actions such as interceptions and duels won.
The Tactical Formation
The 2023 All-League First Team was organized into a 3-4-3 formation. This tactical setup reflected the league’s shift toward wing-back systems and high-pressing midfields. By utilizing a three-man backline, the selection committee was able to highlight mobile, ball-playing center-backs and elite offensive contributors in the midfield and forward lines.
2023 USL Championship All-League First Team Roster
| Position | Player | 2023 Club | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Paul Blanchette | Oakland Roots SC | 108 Saves (League High) |
| Defender | Jack Gurr | Sacramento Republic FC | 5 Goals, 6 Assists |
| Defender | Arturo Ordóñez | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 114 Aerial Duels Won |
| Defender | Graham Smith | Memphis 901 FC | 148 Clearances |
| Midfielder | Taylor Davila | Rio Grande Valley FC | 64 Chances Created |
| Midfielder | Jorge Hernández | San Antonio FC | 10 Assists (League High) |
| Midfielder | Aaron Molloy | Memphis 901 FC | 2,176 Passes Completed |
| Midfielder | Charlie Dennis | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 11 Goals, 3 Assists |
| Forward | Albert Dikwa | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 20 Goals (Golden Boot) |
| Forward | Cal Jennings | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 19 Goals |
| Forward | Danny Trejo | Phoenix Rising FC | 17 Goals, 7 Assists |
Goalkeeper: The Last Line of Defense
Paul Blanchette (Oakland Roots SC)
Paul Blanchette’s inclusion in the 2023 First Team was a testament to the volume and quality of his shot-stopping. Playing for an Oakland Roots side that often found itself under heavy pressure, Blanchette recorded a league-leading 108 saves. His performance was not merely about quantity; his 74% save percentage on shots from inside the penalty area was among the highest in the league’s history for a goalkeeper facing over 150 shots.
Blanchette's ability to command his area during set pieces and his improved distribution made him the consensus choice. His "Save of the Year" contenders became a weekly occurrence, providing Oakland with a competitive edge in a tightly packed Western Conference.
The Defensive Trio: Strength and Versatility
The three defenders selected for the 2023 First Team represented different archetypes of the modern defender: the attacking wing-back, the aerial powerhouse, and the organizational leader.
Arturo Ordóñez (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC)
Arturo Ordóñez was the cornerstone of a Pittsburgh defense that secured the 2023 Players' Shield. As the USL Championship Defender of the Year, Ordóñez dominated the air and the ground. He recorded 114 aerial duels won at a success rate exceeding 65%, making him a nightmare for opposing target forwards. His positioning allowed Pittsburgh to play a high defensive line, squeezing opponents and facilitating their transition game.
Jack Gurr (Sacramento Republic FC)
Jack Gurr redefined the role of the right-sided defender in 2023. While listed as a defender, Gurr functioned as a primary playmaker for Sacramento Republic FC. His 11 combined goal involvements (5 goals, 6 assists) were elite for his position. Gurr’s ability to deliver pinpoint crosses and his stamina to cover the entire right flank were instrumental in Sacramento’s run to the top of the Western Conference.
Graham Smith (Memphis 901 FC)
Graham Smith provided the stability required for Memphis 901 FC's expansive style of play. Smith led the league in several "pure" defensive categories, including clearances and blocked shots. His reliability in one-on-one situations allowed his midfield counterparts to push higher up the pitch, knowing Smith could manage isolated counter-attacks.
The Midfield: Creativity and Control
The 2023 midfield quartet was characterized by players who could both dismantle a defense with a single pass and provide a significant scoring threat from distance.
Jorge Hernández (San Antonio FC)
Jorge Hernández reclaimed his status as the league's premier playmaker in 2023. Leading the Championship with 10 assists, Hernández was the engine room for San Antonio FC. His vision was backed by elite dead-ball delivery; a significant portion of San Antonio’s set-piece goals originated from his left foot. He finished the season with 79 chances created, the highest in the league.
Aaron Molloy (Memphis 901 FC)
Aaron Molloy earned his second consecutive First Team selection in 2023, cementing his reputation as the most complete box-to-box midfielder in the USL Championship. Molloy’s statistical profile was staggering: he led the league in total passes and passes into the final third, while also contributing two goals and eight assists. His ability to dictate the tempo of a match made him indispensable for Memphis.
Taylor Davila (Rio Grande Valley FC)
Taylor Davila was the breakout star of the 2023 midfield. Playing for an RGVFC side that missed the playoffs, Davila’s individual brilliance could not be ignored. He recorded six goals and five assists, but it was his 64 chances created from open play that caught the eyes of voters. His ability to navigate tight spaces and retain possession under pressure drew significant interest from MLS scouts.
Charlie Dennis (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
Charlie Dennis provided the attacking punch from the midfield for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Scoring 11 goals as a midfielder is a rare feat in the USL Championship, and Dennis achieved it through late runs into the box and clinical finishing. His partnership with the Rowdies' forwards created the most potent attacking unit in the Eastern Conference.
The Forward Line: Clinical Finishers
The 2023 forward line was responsible for a combined 56 regular-season goals, representing the most productive attacking trio in recent All-League history.
Albert Dikwa (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC)
Albert Dikwa enjoyed a career-best season, winning the Golden Boot with 20 goals. Dikwa’s game in 2023 was defined by efficient movement. He rarely required more than two touches to find the back of the net, specializing in "one-touch" finishes inside the six-yard box. His work rate off the ball also facilitated Pittsburgh's defensive press, making him the 2023 USL Championship MVP.
Cal Jennings (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
Cal Jennings proved to be one of the most astute signings of the 2023 season. After joining the Rowdies, Jennings went on a scoring tear, finishing with 19 goals. His explosive pace and ability to run in behind defenses complemented the possession-heavy style of the Rowdies. Jennings averaged a goal every 112 minutes, the best strike rate among the league's top five scorers.
Danny Trejo (Phoenix Rising FC)
Danny Trejo was the catalyst for Phoenix Rising FC’s late-season surge and eventual playoff success. During the regular season, Trejo was a dual-threat, scoring 17 goals and providing 7 assists. His versatility allowed him to play as a lone striker or as a secondary forward, often drifting wide to exploit mismatches. Trejo's ability to score "unstructured" goals—thriving in chaotic moments in the box—separated him from other elite forwards.
Historical Impact: 2023 as a Talent Catalyst
Looking back from 2026, the 2023 All-League First Team is viewed as a significant "export" class. Several members of this squad used their performance to secure transfers to higher-tier leagues, including Major League Soccer (MLS) and European second divisions.
The success of players like Arturo Ordóñez and Albert Dikwa underscored the defensive and offensive discipline coached under Bob Lilley at Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Taylor Davila proved that elite talent could be recognized even on teams that struggled in the standings, a shift in voting behavior that has continued into the current 2026 season.
The 2023 season also marked the final All-League appearance for several veteran mainstays, as the league began a transition toward younger, academy-produced talent. However, the 2023 First Team was remarkably balanced between established professionals in their prime and rising stars.
Comparison: First Team vs. Second Team
To understand the depth of the league in 2023, it is helpful to contrast the First Team with the Second Team performers. The margin for selection was razor-thin.
- Goalkeeping: While Blanchette took the First Team spot, Rocco Ríos Novo (Phoenix Rising) was narrowly relegated to the Second Team despite leading his team to a title.
- Defense: Players like Conner Antley (Tampa Bay) and Forrest Lasso (Tampa Bay) provided stiff competition, with Antley's versatility earning him Second Team honors.
- Attack: Tumi Moshobane (San Diego Loyal) and Romario Williams (Hartford Athletic) were prolific, but they lacked the sheer volume of goals produced by Dikwa and Jennings.
The 2023 First Team was distinct because every member was essentially a "statistical outlier" in their respective category, whereas the Second Team consisted of players who were excellent but perhaps less central to their team's identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the 2023 USL Championship MVP?
Albert Dikwa was named the 2023 USL Championship MVP. His 20 goals led the league and were instrumental in Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC winning the Players' Shield for the best regular-season record.
How many players from the championship-winning team made the First Team?
Only one player from the 2023 Champions, Phoenix Rising FC, made the All-League First Team: forward Danny Trejo. This is relatively common in the USL Championship, as All-League honors are based on regular-season performance, and Phoenix Rising made their famous run from the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
Which club had the most representatives on the 2023 First Team?
Three clubs tied for the most representatives with two players each: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (Ordóñez, Dikwa), Memphis 901 FC (Smith, Molloy), and Tampa Bay Rowdies (Dennis, Jennings).
Was the 2023 First Team selection unanimous?
No. While players like Albert Dikwa and Jorge Hernández received nearly 100% of the media and club votes, positions like the third defender and the fourth midfielder were highly contested, with Graham Smith and Taylor Davila winning by narrow margins.
What happened to the 2023 First Team players in 2024 and beyond?
Following the 2023 season, Albert Dikwa moved to Rhode Island FC for their inaugural season, while Danny Trejo signed with Korona Kielce in the Polish Ekstraklasa. Arturo Ordóñez made the jump to Louisville City FC, continuing his dominance as a top-tier defender in the league.
Final Recommendation for Researchers and Fans
For those analyzing the 2023 USL Championship season, the All-League First Team serves as the primary map of the league’s tactical landscape. When reviewing film or statistical databases from that era, focus on the distribution patterns of Aaron Molloy and the defensive positioning of Arturo Ordóñez. These two players, in particular, represented the technical standard that helped the USL Championship bridge the gap toward being a top-tier global second division by 2026. For a complete understanding of the season, it is also recommended to view the "All-League Second Team" to appreciate the depth of talent that nearly breached this prestigious eleven.
