A 16-match season ended with the Greenville Triumph crowned as USL League One Champions. With the year’s end just around the corner, it’s time to take a look back at the impressive stats and numbers that helped us get to the podium and collect the first league-title in club history.
25
The total number of USL League One Team of the Week appearances by Triumph players. The appearances came from 11 different players and include Player of the Week honors, which were given to winger Alex Morrell on three separate occasions while Lachlan McLean, the Australian rookie, led the team with a total of five weekly nods.
2
The number of times Head Coach John Harkes was named League One’s Coach of the Month. Harkes’ first monthly honor came in July after an undefeated start to the delayed 2020 season. His second honor came on the heels of an undefeated September that saw his side gain a perfect 12 points. Harkes’ championship season was stamped by being named League One’s Coach of the Year.
5
The total number of All-League First Team selections, marking the most of any club in League One. Veterans Dallas Jaye and Tyler Polak earned their second straight First-Team appearance, and were joined by Triumph newcomers Alex Morrell, Brandon Fricke and Noah Pilato. Dallas Jaye went on to win League One’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Brandon Fricke narrowly edged out teammate Tyler Polak for Defender of the Year honors.
17
The number of goals scored by newcomers this season, which equates to almost 75% of all goals scored this year (23 scored, 24 total with one own-goal). At a rate of 60 minutes/per goal compared to last year’s 77 minutes/per goal scored average, Greenville scoring improved quite a bit over the past season, thanks in no small part to the new Triumph attackers. In fact, three of the four players that sit in the multi-goal column for Greenville were newcomers this past season with the team’s leading goal scoring threat, Lachlan McLean, tallying seven goals through his ten starts.
9
The number of players who logged over 1,000 minutes played across the 16-match season. Aaron Walker, Cesar Murillo and Jake Keegan hit just above the 1,000 minute mark while central defenders Evan Lee and Brandon Fricke logged at or above 1,300 minutes played, as did midfielder Noah Pilato and winger Alex Morrell. Dallas Jaye logged a perfect 1,440 minutes played and left back Tyler Polak, also voted the team’s “Most Underrated Player,” missed only two minutes of action across the entire season for 1,438 minutes logged.
16
The total number of weeks spent at the top of the table, the most of any club in USL League One. Despite a three-game road stretch that saw Greenville go 1-2, it was as steady of a season as any club can hope to have with the team earning points in 13 of its’ 16 matches. Greenville’s 11-3-2 record is highlighted by a 7-1-0 record at its’ home pitch. But most importantly, Greenville’s 16-week stretch was highlighted by the lifting of the club’s first ever league trophy.
11
The fewest number of goals allowed throughout League One. There’s no secret that Greenville has turned into a destination for the League’s top defensive talent. For yet another season, the Triumph defenders, alongside Golden Glove winner Dallas Jaye, built an almost impenetrable wall that shut down several of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
3
The number of Triumph players to earn “back to backs.” Goalkeeper Dallas Jaye earned several awards he previously held in 2019 including Goalkeeper of the Year, Golden Glove and a member on the All-League First Team. Tyler Polak also joins Jaye with back to back First Team nods while defender Cesar Murillo became the first, and so far only, player with back-to-back League One titles.
41,000
The total dollar amount raised for our “Match to Triumph” campaign benefitting United Way of Greenville County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. “Match to Triumph” was a way for our organization to embody every ounce of our mission statement — use the game of soccer to unite and uplift the Upstate. Much like our season, “Match to Triumph” was a resounding success because of the willingness and participation of our friends, family and supporters. That momentum was carried throughout our 16 games ending with a trophy not only for our club, but for our community. Thank you, Upstate. Thank you, Triumph Nation!
