Triumph Roster Reset

"Teams don't learn. Individuals within the team learn. Development is a personal process even when conducted in a team environment."

- Johan Cruyff

The Greenville Triumph begins their 2026 season on Saturday against the Chattanooga Red Wolves under the leadership of new Head Coach Dave Dixon. Together with new Sporting Director Zach Prince, Dixon has overseen a revitalization of the roster, though many familiar faces return. In his first year as a head coach, Dixon's tactical ideas and formational tendencies remain to be seen, but he is blessed with a deep – though aging – squad.

Returnees: Attackers - Leo Castro; Rodrigo Robles; Midfielders - Evan Lee; Chapa Herrera; DJ Benton; Defenders - Anthony Patti; Brandon Fricke; Connor Evans; Ivan Agyaakwah; Toby Sims; Tyler Polak; Zane Bubb; Goalkeeper - Seth Torman

Departures: Gunther Rankenburg; Ropapa Mensah; Chevone Marsh; Ben Zakowski; Pascal Corvino; Ezekiel Soto; Carlos Anguiano; Sebastian Velasquez; Michael Gonzalez.

NEW (old) FACES

Defender Daniel Wu and midfielder Devin Boyce.

THAT TRUE NEW NEW

Attacker Azaad Liadi; Attacker Deshane Beckford; Attacker Lucas Meek; Attacking Mid Jason Bouregy; Right Back Kimito Fritz; Left Back Patrick Seagrist; Center Back Marqes Muir; and goalkeeper Amal Knight.

Let's breakdown the roster by position groupings...

ATTACKERS

The Triumph scored only 38 goals last year in 30 league games. Even the wonderful run to the USL Jagermeister Cup semis was anchored by stingy defensive performances, as the Triumph scored multiple goals in only two of their six games in that competition.

Veteran forward Leo Castro (36) returns for his fourth season in Greenville and has bagged 28 total goals in his time here, including 7 in League One last year. Castro has seen it all while playing on three continents, and his attacking nous remains very high. But Father Time waits for no man, and Castro will turn 37 in May. Skilled in hold-up play, as an aerial target, and technical in small spaces, the Colombian looks to add to his club record career goal tally in 2026.

The signing of Azaad Liadi (27) may usher in a changing of the guard, as my hunch is the former Tormenta, Lexington, and Portland player is the leading candidate to get the bulk of starts at striker. Liadi is a well-traveled player and a known quantity in the USL ranks. He has battled injuries in his career, but is a dynamic and dangerous player when healthy. He can play through the middle or out wide, and his physical style is a nightmare for opposing defenders.

Liadi's best season in League One was 2021 with South Georgia, when he bagged nine goals. He also collected 12 goals in 2023 while playing for Huntsville City FC in MLS NEXT Pro. Liadi will look to replace the now-departed Ropapa Mensah (back at former club Chattanooga), who led USL League One with 1.7 shots on target per 90 last season.

Rodrigo Robles (26) was among the strongest performers for Greenville last season, and he will look to make further strides in his third season with the club. Robles played close to 2,200 minutes across all competitions last year and tallied six goals and five assists. He is especially dangerous when drifting centrally from wide spaces, and has displayed a knack for earning penalties due to his close control and trickiness in the box. He is my leading breakout candidate this season; 15-plus goal contributions are not out of the question.

Deshane Beckford (27) joins the Triumph with loads of USL Championship experience (over 130 games and 7,600 minutes) and four caps for the Jamaican National Team. He spent the latter portion of 2025 on loan at Westchester, so he will have some knowledge of the league and opposing defenders. He was credited with two assists across his 743 minutes in League One. Beckford is a small, lightning-quick option that will torture defenders in space. He projects best as a left-sided wide attacker.

Another well-traveled attacker, Lucas Meek (27) joins to bolster the Triumph's attacking depth. The 6'2" forward played only 140 minutes for a very strong One Knox team in 2025 after returning stateside from several years plying his trade in New Zealand. He scored seven goals for Manly United in 2025 before landing on Rocky Top and was a Pac-12 all-conference selection at Washington during his collegiate career. He finished his 2022 college season with 10 goals and eight assists.

BOTTOM LINE: A solid grouping mixed with central and wide options, the Triumph boast depth and variety in the attacking corps (and are rumored to be adding another attacker). Assuming Dixon will play with a central forward and wingers, he could pair the hold-up play of Castro at striker with hard runners on either side, like Beckford or Liadi. If he starts Liadi centrally, look for him to stretch the center backs with runs in behind and into the channels, which could create space for tricky players like Robles. There are many iterations that make sense in terms of balance, so it will be fascinating to see which groupings he deploys moving forward. Look for Bouregy and Boyce to also figure into this group as wide options.

MIDFIELDERS

Triumph OG Evan Lee (32) returns to Greenville for his eighth season. He was a game-in, game-out starter in the early years as a central defender, but more recently has earned minutes in central midfield, either in a holding role or as an occasional final-third roving chaos agent. Lee's form slightly dipped last year, but his leadership and soccer IQ remained on display throughout a difficult campaign. His quality is unquestioned, but he has a lot of miles on his legs, and the tactical fit under Dixon remains to be seen.

Midfield dynamo Chapa Herrera (29) returns for his third season with the Triumph. After injuries derailed his 2024 campaign (and the Triumph's with it), Herrera bounced back last season to reclaim his status as the heartbeat of the midfield. To look at his heat map is to see a sea of red; he is quite simply everywhere. Because he serves as a tactical cheat code during buildup, expect "Chapa" to remain a cornerstone for the new staff, providing the steady, high-level play that has become his trademark. He led all Greenville regulars with an 86.2% pass completion rate in 2025.

Though Connor Evans (23) is listed as a defender on the roster, I'm banking on him earning more minutes in the midfield this season. His emergence as one of the best creative forces in USL League One was the brightest spot in a rough season for Greenville. He led the league with 72 chances created in his first season as a professional, and led the team with six assists. With his ability to play centrally as a holding midfielder, on the right of a back four, or as a wingback in a back five, Evans offers Dixon tactical flexibility. With a season of pro soccer under his belt, look for Evans to continue his growth into a first-rate league standout; his skillset profiles well for a team that will stress verticality in attack.

Former Triumph midfielder Devin Boyce (29) returns to Greenville after a two-year stint with Forward Madison. Boyce was, in my opinion, often misused in his first stint with Greenville, and his talent for threading passes behind the defensive line went criminally underused. Boyce has done most of his work from the right in his career, but can also play centrally underneath the forward or as an option from the left in a pinch. He is another grizzled veteran who will fit into various game models, and has a motor that will always earn plaudits from the coaching staff and the fans.

Attacking midfielder Jason Bouregy (24) joins Greenville after capturing the USL Championship title as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Though inexperienced as a professional (he only played 301 minutes in league play), Bouregy can play anywhere across the width of the attacking midfield line, and was named First Team All-Big East in 2024 at Villanova, scoring four goals and tallying eight assists. A tricky and creative player, he profiles best as a left-sided attacker. Health permitting, expect Bouregy to earn plenty of minutes across all competitions in 2026, and be among the team leaders in assists.

Devin "DJ" Benton (26) returns to Greenville as a depth option in midfield and defense after a solid first season in which he played 21 games and made nine starts in a variety of roles on the right. Benton is a sturdy defender – he won 61% of his duels in league play – and offers versatility as a right-sided midfielder. Benton will probably spend the bulk of his minutes as a wide defender in 2026, but his profile as a trusted veteran and proven player in USL will add depth across both groupings.

BOTTOM LINE: I'm assuming Dixon will play a midfield three of some variety, with two deployed deeper and one more advanced. Chapa, Evans, and Lee profile as the deeper mids, though (listed defender) Ivan Agyaakwah could also gobble up minutes in one of those roles. Boyce and Bouregy could battle for minutes as the attacking mid, though either player is a solid option out wide, as well. Though the grouping isn't threadbare, it does feel a bit undercooked on paper.

DEFENDERS

Mr. Triumph himself, Tyler Polak (33) returns for his eighth season in Greenville. A longtime USL League One standout, Polak had a bit of a resurgence last season, playing just under 3,000 minutes across all competitions. Comfortable at left back or as a left-sided center back, look for Polak to provide his usual steady leadership, serving as an extension of the coaching staff on the field. His next goal for the Triumph will be his first, and the celebration that ensues will undoubtedly go viral 👀

Speaking of veteran leadership and rugged defensive work, Brandon Fricke (33) adds plenty of the former and loads of the latter as another stalwart of the club. Fricke's physical, no-nonsense form of defending has served as a bulwark against League One attackers for years, and the 6'1" Mr. Reliable accrued almost 3,400 minutes of game action in all competitions last season. Dixon's tactics may ask new things from Fricke, but his level of play remains high, and his on-field intensity has not depleted since his first season at Legacy. A true club legend, Fricke remains a bridge to past glories while remaining a big part of the present.

Physical center back Ivan Agyaakwah (25) enjoyed an up-and-down rookie season, playing the bulk of his minutes in central defense while garnering some time as a midfield destroyer and left back. The Englishman was a collegiate standout at Furman at the No. 6, and may earn more minutes in that role at the base of midfield under Dixon. An ACL injury in college was a serious setback, but his upside rivals that of almost any player on the roster. Like so many other players on the roster, Agyaakwah provides the coaching staff with positional versatility.

Toby Sims (28) injected immediate quality into the Triumph's defensive corps halfway through the 2025 season after joining from Harrogate Town of England's League Two. Sims is a ball-winning maniac (65% duels won), and a natural leader from the right back position. Sims tore his ACL late last season, and projects to return sometime in 2026, though the timeline is unclear. Expect his form to be uneven as he recovers, even if his effort is not.

Left-footed Anthony Patti (23) returns for his second season in Greenville providing a solid option at center back or occasionally left back. Formerly of Lexington SC, Patti caught the eye down the stretch last season, particularly in a 3-0 win over Forward Madison. An elegant and upright player, Patti has untapped potential, and could carve out a bigger role in 2026 with continued development.

Towering 6'4" Zane Bubb (26) returns for his second season in Greenville, and will look to build on an uneven 2025 campaign. The former Tampa Bay Rowdies center back demonstrated both the good (physical defending, aerial dominance) and the bad (cheap giveaways, red cards) in his inaugural Triumph campaign, but his upside is easy for any keen observer to discern. With a full season in League One under his belt, Bubb should continue his growth as a dominant defender while smoothing out some of the rough edges in his game.

Japanese right back Kimito Fritz (22) begins his professional journey as a rookie after a standout collegiate career at UNC Greensboro and UTRGV. Sources around the club have mentioned Fritz as one to watch, and with minutes up for grabs while Sims rehabilitates his knee injury, it stands to reason he will get a look to fill the vacancy at right back. He tallied multiple assists in each of his four college seasons, and will inject youth into a seasoned defensive corps.

Twenty-five-year-old center back Daniel Wu (ain't nuthin to f*** wit) trades in the unnatural, putrid green of Lexington to return to the more pleasant pastoral shade in Greenville after one season in the USL Championship. Wu was more of a depth option in his earlier two-year stint with the Triumph, but his performances often hinted at budding quality that needed more seasoning. The former Georgetown All-American brings an intriguing mix of experience and upside, while offering Dixon a known quantity in the back.

Left back Patrick Seagrist (28) boasts extensive professional experience, appearing in over 130 games in the USL Championship for Indy Eleven, Memphis, Colorado Springs and FC Tulsa. The 10th overall pick by New York in the 2020 MLS Draft out of Marquette, Seagrist appeared in three games as a rookie for the Red Bulls. Seagrist provides a sterling mix of defensive stability and attacking thrust, and represents a legitimate competitor for longtime left back starter Polak's spot.

Just before I hit publish on this post, The Triumph announced that Marqes Muir (23) had joined on loan from USL Championship's Lexington SC. The 6'1" Muir played the past three seasons at the University of Kentucky, garnering All-Sun-Belt First Team honors in 2025. He spent time in the Tottenham academy as a youth player, and profiles as a front-footed and athletic central defender.

BOTTOM LINE: Packed with solid veterans and high-upside younger players, Dixon and Prince have collected an impressive collection along the backline. Multiple options abound, and the pieces are in place for any configuration of back 3, 4 or 5-man groupings. Once fully healthy, I expect Sims to join Seagrist, Bubb and Fricke as the starting group. But don't be surprised to see Fritz earn minutes at right back in the interim. The kid is exciting.

GOALKEEPERS

The Triumph found their new field general in the form of a familiar face, Jamaican international Amal Knight (32 years old). Knight, formerly of Lexington SC and the Charlotte Independence, is a proven performer at this level and the new No. 1. He has nine caps for the Reggae Boyz.

The 6'3" shot-stopper should be an upgrade on last year's starter, Rankenberg, and will be a known quantity to Dixon from their time together last year in Charlotte. His distribution is not his strong suit, but his experience and infectious personality will benefit the squad. Knight has started 51 times in USL League One and has consistently delivered strong performances.

Seth Torman (26) is a capable and proven backup. He started three games in the league last season, two games in the US Open Cup, and had one memorable appearance in a win over Miami FC in the Jagermeister Cup.

BOTTOM LINE: Knight will start – it's why the front office went out and got him. Torman will continue to provide solid competition and represents a safe pair of hands in case of injury.

SO WHO WILL BE THE STARTERS?

I'm not sure. You're not sure. Hell, Dave Dixon probably isn't sure. Injuries and late arrivals cloud the picture a bit for this weekend, but I feel like I can at least take a stab at who will play the most minutes over the course of the season. So here goes...

Liadi

Robles-Bouregy-Boyce

Evans-Herrera

Seagrist-Fricke-Bubb-Fritz

Knight

Get hyped, y'all. The season is almost here...