Independence pace USL League One with five selections
CHARLOTTE, NC (November 3, 2026) – USL League One announced Tuesday that five Charlotte Independence players have earned All-League honors following the club’s historic 2026 regular season.
Matt Levy, Javen Romero, Souaibou Marou, and Jon Bakero all have made the All-League First Team, while defender Joey Skinner has been honored on the Second Team. The five selections for Charlotte are the most for any team this season.
“Congratulations to all five players on being selected to the All-League teams,” shared Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “I cannot speak highly enough about the work rate, grit, and energy they put into this season, as well as their desire to help the team be successful. Each player brings something unique to our team which has made the group stronger. I am happy to see their efforts and qualities recognized within the league.”
Read more about each player’s successful season below.
MATT LEVY, FIRST TEAM
In his fourth season with the Independence, Levy became a critical piece of Charlotte’s historic season. The goalkeeper played a career-high 31 matches in USL League One, posting seven clean sheets. His shot-stopping ability reigned supreme, as the Pensacola Pines native won the league’s Save of the Week honor nine times in the regular season. Levy also had a knack for showing up in the clutch, making four penalty saves in league play in 2026. The Independence backstop earned five Team of the Week honors this season.
He became the fifth goalkeeper in USL League One history to record at least 100 saves in a regular season, ranking him fifth all-time for single-season saves with 101 on the campaign.
JAVEN ROMERO, FIRST TEAM
In his second season with the Independence, Romero established himself as a cornerstone of Charlotte’s back line during the club’s historic 2026 campaign. The 20-year-old defender displayed composure and maturity beyond his years, becoming a consistent presence in a defensive unit that helped power the Independence to their first USL League One Players’ Shield. Part of what has set Romero apart has been his exceptional ball-playing ability, spraying balls across the pitch to begin the attack.
Romero added four goal contributions to his name in 2026, including his first professional goal in the club’s home opener against Spokane Velocity in March. The defender earned Team of the Week honors seven times and led the Jacks in a multiude of defensive categories such as clearances, blocks, and aerial duels won.
JON BAKERO, FIRST TEAM
Bakero put together one of the greatest seasons USL League One has ever had in 2026. The Spaniard set the league on fire with his passing, breaking the league’s single season assist record (18) and topping USL League One’s all-time assist chart (27). On top of that, Bakero added eight goals to his name, making him the clear favorite to win USL League One Player of the Year.
The midfielder claimed the 2026 Golden Playmaker along the way, to go along with a stunning 11 appearances in the league’s Team of the Week. In August, Bakero earned Player of the Month honors, including two goals and three assists in Charlotte’s 5-0 victory over AV Alta on August 29, setting the USL League One single-match goal contribution record.
SOUAIBOU MAROU, FIRST TEAM
Not to be outdone, Marou returned to Charlotte for his second season and established himself as the league’s most prolific goal scorer. The Cameroonian forward captured the 2026 USL League One Golden Boot Award, finishing with a league-leading 18 goals and shattering the Independence’s single-season scoring record.
After featuring primarily as a substitute in 2025, Marou emerged as a focal point of Charlotte’s attack in 2026. The striker’s relentless work ethic, tireless movement and ability to get in behind opposing defenses made him a constant threat throughout the campaign. Marou capped off his remarkable regular season with a crucial hat trick against Greenville Triumph, helping the Independence secure their first Players’ Shield in club history.
Marou earned five Team of the Week honors in 2026, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier attacking talents. The forward will look to carry his goal-scoring form into the postseason as the Independence pursue a historic league double.
JOEY SKINNER, SECOND TEAM
Skinner enjoyed a phenomenal first season back in Charlotte, earning USL League One All-League Second Team honors. The former Charlotte Independence academy graduate emerged as a dynamic attacking threat from his outside back position, recording an impressive 14 goal contributions (7 goals and 7 assists) during the regular season and adding another dangerous dimension to Charlotte’s attack.
The defender saved his best performances for the final stretch of the campaign, registering eight goal contributions across his final eight regular-season appearances. Skinner’s sensational form earned him two Player of the Week honors down the stretch, while he was named to the league’s Team of the Week six times throughout the season.
