Across the USL Championship this season, more than 100 players who saw regular season action were eligible for the league’s Young Player of the Year award. Among them were youth internationals representing the United States, Mexico and other nations as the spotlight on the next potential talent to make the move to Europe shone even brighter.

This postseason, some of those players will be aiming to make an impact on their club’s potential to succeed. Whether likely starters or players that could make a contribution coming off the substitutes bench, here’s one from every team in the playoffs that you should keep an eye on.

Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery – What more can you say about the prodigious 17-year-old? Barajas led all players eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award with 13 combined goals and assists and was recently named to The Guardian’s 2023 Next Generation list of 60 top talents from around the globe. Ahead of his almost-certain selection to Mexico’s FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup squad, this is another chance to shine.

Shanyder Borgelin, New Mexico United – The Haiti international has been a little hit and miss since he arrived on loan late in the season from Inter Miami CF but has a big frame and has put himself in good positions regularly. Borgelin might not start for New Mexico this postseason, but he can make an impact if United needs a goal late in the game.

Matthew Corcoran, Birmingham Legion FC – The 17-year-old made himself at home in the middle of Legion FC’s veteran lineup, ranking fifth in minutes among players eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award. Corcoran’s calmness on the ball and quality from set pieces could make him a key part if Legion FC is going to make a postseason run, while he’ll be hoping to set himself up to be selected to the United States’ squad for the FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup.

Dominic Gasso, Detroit City FC – The homegrown 20-year-old progressed and started making regular starts toward the end of DCFC’s run to reach the postseason. A true No. 6, Gasso will have a key role to play in holding down the fort to allow players like Maxi Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Diop advance into more attacking positions.

Xavi Gnaulati, San Diego Loyal SC – There was a storybook feeling to Gnaulati’s first professional goals, which flipped a potential loss at Monterey Bay F.C. into a dramatic victory through his two finishes at Cardinale Stadium. Gnaulati only logged 137 minutes this regular season, but who knows what he might be able to come through with if his side is in need again?

Bryce Jamison, Orange County SC – The United States U-17 international made 25 appearances for OCSC this season, notching a goal and assist, but it’s his ability to stretch the field and hold his own defensively that has made him a key part of the club’s success in the second half of the season. Jamison could start, or could come off the bench, but he’ll be lively and a player opponents must account for.

Jake LaCava, Tampa Bay Rowdies – LaCava didn’t quite hit the same heights as in his first stint on loan with the Rowdies last season this year, but he’s still got all the qualities that can make him a valuable piece of the club’s postseason run. With three goals and two assists in 1,270 minutes, the 22-year-old has speed to burn, which could come in useful if the Rowdies are looking to add to a lead late in games.

Erik McCue, El Paso Locomotive FC – The 22-year-old center back has been a mainstay for Locomotive FC this season and arguably one of the side’s most consistent performers. No outfield player eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award logged more minutes, and he recorded 126 clearances, 42 interceptions and had a duel success rate of 57.1 percent.

Carlos Moguel Jr., Louisville City FC – The 20-year-old wrote himself into LouCity lore with his game-winning penalty kick against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last season, but this year Moguel has become a regular starter for his hometown club. The LouCity Academy product recorded three assists on 20 chances created and was fluent in midfield with an 81 percent passing accuracy rate. Now he needs to raise his level along with his teammates for a postseason push.

Roberto Molina, Indy Eleven – Molina has been mostly used as an attacking threat off the bench since arriving at Indy, but the 22-year-old has performed well in that role with three goals and one assist in 327 minutes. Capped for El Salvador previously in his career, Molina could be a joker in the deck for Head Coach Mark Lowry if Indy’s in need of a second-half spark.

Nighte Pickering, Memphis 901 FC – Pickering’s scoring pace slowed in the second half of the season, but the 18-year-old still ended the campaign with four goals and four assists in 961 minutes – a goal contribution every 120.2 minutes. The U.S. youth international will be hoping to get the chance to make an impact as 901 FC looks for its deepest postseason run yet.

Marco Rios, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – The 17-year-old USL Academy signing only made five appearances for the Switchbacks in the regular season but scoring two goals in 79 minutes of action is no small feat. Rios has come up big in key moments – see his equalizer against San Antonio FC in September – and might get the chance again this postseason.

Rocco Rios Novo, Phoenix Rising FC – The Argentine shot-stopper has some of the best goal prevention numbers in the Championship this season, allowing only 36 goals on an Expected Goals on Target Conceded mark of 42.7xGOTC. With a career-best save percentage of 73.2% on 102 saves, the 21-year-old is going to be key to Phoenix’s potential to make a run.

Aldair Sanchez, Sacramento Republic FC – Sanchez is proof that players talented enough to play for Republic FC can come from anywhere. Signed after shining at the club’s open tryout last offseason, the 21-year-old has logged 1,211 minutes in 25 appearances, providing a counterbalance on the left side with solid passing and good defensive work to fit into the team’s structure.

Tola Showumni, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Alright, this is a cheat. The Hounds were the only team in the postseason that didn’t have a single player eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award, but Showumni is a first-year pro and the club’s youngest player to see league action in 2023. With four goals and three assists, the English forward was a plus in the final third for the Hounds and could be valuable contributor this postseason as well.

Rida Zouhir, San Antonio FC – The 19-year-old loanee from Club de Foot Montreal led all players eligible for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award with eight goals this season and notched four assists. Zouhir’s ability to take on opponents off the dribble provided a different element for SAFC as it looks to become more progressive through midfield, and should be an important part of the club’s title defense.