Kairou Amoustapha, Forward

If there was a slight bright-spot in Loudoun’s 2020 season, it was the performance in limited action of Niger U-20 National Team member Kairou Amoustapha. He notched three goals, one assist. eight shots on goal and 16 key passes for United in nine appearances and returns this season looking to add to those numbers. If he does, bigger things could quickly arrive for the 20-year-old.

Drew Skundrich, Midfielder

When Drew Skundrich first broke into the Championship with the Philadelphia Union II after a successful college career at Stanford University, he had by his side the veteran presence of James Chambers in the lineup. Now Skundrich may be needed to fulfill a similar role for this young Loudoun lineup. He should be capable of doing so – last season in Sacramento he posted an 85.2 passing accuracy rate and made 13 interceptions while scoring a pair of goals – but it’s going to likely be an uphill battle for the 25-year-old.

Ryan Martin (Third Season)

The son of former Ohio Wesleyan University Head Coach Jay Martin, whose 723 victories are the most in NCAA Men’s Soccer history across all divisions, Ryan Martin has taken the challenges that have come his way in stride so far since being appointed midway through United’s first season. Finding a way to get his new veterans to mesh with Loudoun’s youngsters is going to be the starting point for 2021, and Martin will hope to pull off some surprises along the way against the side’s more well-regarded opponents.