The key to Justin McLean’s success with the Long Island Rough Riders this past season?
His consistency.
Which is a major reason why he was named the MVP of the team.
He was chosen by the Rough Riders’ coaching staff.
McLean led the Metropolitan Division of USL League Two in goal-scoring with seven tallies while adding one assist. He helped the team to the division title and a playoff berth.
Long Island finished atop the Metropolitan Division with a 9-1-2 mark, outscoring its foes, 31-10, before losing in the League Two playoffs, a 3-1 decision to Vermont Green FC in the opening round.
“He was really prolific throughout the season for us,” Rough Riders assistant coach Harry Morris said.
After the team switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 system, McLean was deployed as a second striker and flourished in the position.
“That’s when he really found his form,” Morris said.
A native of Atlanta, Ga. the 6-foot, 177-lb. McLean McLean will return to George State as a junior with greater expectations this fall. He scored four goals and added five assists last season. He has recorded seven goals and 10 assists in his first two seasons with the Panthers.
Morris was most impressed with the 20-year-old McLean’s consistency.
“He scored in most games,” he said. “To choose one moment it would be pretty harsh on the season. He was so consistent through.”
With key players graduating from college or trying to pursue a professional career and a new coach coming on – Chris Megaloudis – it was important for the Rough Riders to replenish their roster.
McLean was one of those players they had in mind, along with defender-midfielder Kieran Chandler, among others.
“That’s a testament to how well they played and how much we had a lot of trust in them,” Morris said. “They did a lot of work for the community, camps, 1-ion-1 sessions, they were really good persons to have in our organization.”
On and off the field.
The Rough Riders will return to action in May 2025.
Stay updated with the latest on the Rough Riders by visiting www.LIRoughRiders.com.