FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (10-9-8, 38 pts.) are in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, currently sitting at sixthplace with 38 points. While the Revs continue their postseason push in Foxborough, there are five New England players who have been gaining valuable minutes on loan with USL Championship teams, including Cody Cropper, Zach Herivaux, Brian Wright, Isaac Angking and Justin Rennicks.
All five players on loan to USL sides could be recalled to the Revolution at any point through the remainder of the 2019 season.
Cody Cropper (Hartford Athletic)
Revolution goalkeeper Cody Cropper was loaned to Hartford Athletic in mid-August. The 26-year-old made his debut with Hartford in a friendly against the Puerto Rico National Team, leading his new side to a 5-1 win. It was a meaningful match for the USL club, as it was the first international exhibition in USL Championship history. Cropper then made his first USL league start on Aug. 24, and backstopped Hartford to a 3-2 win over Atlanta United 2, making six saves.
Justin Rennicks (North Carolina FC)
Forward Justin Rennicks was loaned to North Carolina FC in early August. In his five appearances, the 20-year-old has made two starts with NCFC and played a total of 184 minutes. His first NCFC start was on Aug. 17, when he played 69 minutes to help lift North Carolina to a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh. The young Academy product impressed the following week, as well, recording his first professional assist on Aug. 24 in NCFC’s 4-2 win over Tampa Bay.
North Carolina sit at fifth place in the East with 46 points, putting them in a very competitive place to make the playoffs. As Rennicks further integrates with the squad, he could play a key role as playoffs approach.
Isaac Angking (Charlotte Independence)
Midfielder Isaac Angking joined the Charlotte Independence on loan in early August. In only four weeks the Homegrown player has already made three appearances in the starting lineup totaling 207 minutes of action, and he's tallied one assist so far for the USL side in the squad’s 3-1 loss to Indy Eleven on Aug. 25.
Charlotte sits at 12th place in the East with 25 points. However, Charlotte has played more games than other teams competing for those last few berths, which means it will be an uphill battle to clinch a playoff spot.
Brian Wright (Birmingham Legion FC)
Forward Brian Wright joined Birmingham Legion FC on loan in March. The Ontario native has played in 18 games for the USL side, making 15 starts under the leadership of Jay Heaps (president and general manager) and Tom Soehn (head coach). Wright has been a staple in their starting lineup, tallying three goals and a team-leading four assists in his 1,443 minutes of play.
One of those assists came as recently as Aug. 28, when Wright ended a barnstorming run by playing a cross for JJ Williams to finish in Birmingham's 1-1 draw against Loudoun United.
Additionally, the 24-year-old been selected twice for USL Championship Team of the Week, in Weeks 4 and 19.
Zach Herivaux (Birmingham Legion FC)
Zach Herivaux has been with Birmingham Legion FC since March. The Haiti National Team midfielder has started 14 games for Birmingham and has been subbed off just once, totaling 1,166 minutes of USL action. Herivaux has played confidently with Birmingham, finishing 84.6% of his passes accurately and successfully completing 78.6% of his tackles.
Herivaux has played primarily in central midfield at the number six position, but has also played as a number 10 and number eight, and even on two occasions has featured as a center back.
Both Wright and Herivaux have played key roles for Birmingham Legion FC, who currently sit in 9th place in the USL East playoff race.
