San Diego Loyal SC’s 16-year-old goalkeeper Duran Ferree recorded his first shutout in the USL Championship on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and he didn’t have to record a save.

Make no mistake, though. The United States U-17 international played an integral role in helping the club earn a 1-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

With 66 touches – fifth most on the team, even more than influential midfielder Charlie Adams – Ferree’s footwork and quality in possession made him the equal of regular SD Loyal starter Koke Vegas, who got the afternoon off ahead of San Diego’s clash with Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday night in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Using the opportunity to rotate some of his lineup, SD Loyal Nate Miller got the performance he expected from his young standout.

“I see Duran every day in training,” said Miller. “You know, everyone in life needs a chance. I needed a chance at one point, every young player needs a chance, and we just believe in giving these guys chances.”

Ferree was solid in his own penalty area, recording two catches on crosses, but his afternoon might have been summed up best in a proactive sequence in which he served as the outlet for his team as it retreated to retain possession. With Tampa Bay’s Cal Jennings bearing down and Ferree outside his goal, he showed composure to deliver a first-time pass to Tumi Moshobane that got SD Loyal moving back in the right direction.

“We have three matches this week, and there is mental and emotional load that takes on a goalkeeper and obviously you see what we ask of ‘keepers is a lot,” said Miller. “I thought he was extremely composed, at the end of the game he got a little overly confident, but he’s got a lot of confidence, and we believe in Duran. He’s going to be a big-time player.”

There will be more opportunities to come for Ferree this year, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he’s able to handle them.

Here are some of the other young players who caught our eye this weekend…

- Rocco Rios Novo, Phoenix Rising FC: The 20-year-old Argentine was superb in earning his side a point at San Antonio FC with eight saves. He’s now sitting on a -2.34 Goals minus Expected Goals on Target mark this season per Opta.

- Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery: The Mexico U-17 international had a quiet first half against Louisville City FC, but looked far brighter in the second half while almost delivering a goal of the year candidate with a shot that rattled the crossbar.

- Nighte Pickering, Memphis 901 FC: The United States U-19 international scored with his first touch to cap 901 FC’s victory in Rio Grande Valley FC for his first of the new league season.

- Carlos Moguel, Louisville City FC: The 19-year-old applied some bite in midfield as a second-half substitute in Charleston, winning 3 of 3 tackles and completing 16 of 20 passes.

- Collin Smith, Birmingham Legion FC: The 19-year-old right back produced a fine assist for Legion FC’s game-winner against Orange County SC and was stellar throughout, winning 4 of 5 tackles and making three interceptions.