Among the trends the USL Championship has seen this decade, the arrival of young talent eager to prove itself and make the jump to higher levels of competition in Europe and domestically might have been the most significant.

At this point, stories such as those of former Louisville City FC defender Joshua Wynder, former Orange County SC forward Korede Osundina and 2023 Championship Young Player of the Year Fidel Barajas of the Charleston Battery are becoming more and more common.

That has been tied to the rising level of competitiveness in the USL Championship overall, which has given the league a credibility in more countries looking to recruit top North American talent to top clubs in Europe.

This year, those prospects are still in evidence across the Championship landscape, including those who have aspirations of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics and next year’s FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup.

Alongside them, however, are almost 20 players who have been sent on loan from clubs in Major League Soccer to continue their individual progression at clubs that are aiming to be in contention for silverware at the end of the season.

Here are 11 of the players you should be keeping a close eye on this season.

Edison Azcona, Las Vegas Lights FC

Since the acquisition of Las Vegas Lights FC by six-time Major League Baseball All-Star José Bautista, the club has made some major splashes in building its new roster. The one that might be the most significant of these is the arrival of 20-year-old Dominican Republic international Edison Azcona, who joined the club from Inter Miami CF to start what will be a big year ahead in his career.

Azcona’s loan agreement has an option for Lights to acquire him permanently in July – a clause Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia has said the club will trigger when it arrives – and the opportunity to compete game-in and game-out alongside veterans such as two-time Championship Player of the Year Solomon Asante will give Azcona guidance as he navigates his new surroundings. There’s no question, however, that Azcona is going to be one of the faces of the Lights this season, with his opportunity to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics for the Dominican Republic giving him an international spotlight to go with the bright lights in Las Vegas.

Matthew Corcoran, Birmingham Legion FC

Aside from 2023 USL Championship Young Player of the Year Fidel Barajas, now at Real Salt Lake after his transfer from the Charleston Battery this offseason, there might have been no bigger success story last year among young talent in the league than Matthew Corcoran. In his second season with Birmingham Legion FC, Corcoran seized his opportunity in the center of midfield, racking up almost 2,000 minutes in 31 appearances, scoring his first professional goal, and was a key part of the club’s success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

That opened the door to the United States U-17 Men’s National Team, where Corcoran was invited to the final camp before the U-17 World Cup squad was announced and impressed to where he was not only named in the squad but started three games in Indonesia. The central midfielder is now likely one of the next players that will make the jump to Europe from the Championship, a move that could happen this year after Corcoran turned 18 years old in February. As with the likes of Jonathan Gomez, Kobi Henry and Korede Osundina before him, the FC Dallas Academy product is an illustration of the pathway a USL Championship club can open up for young talent.

Brandan Craig, El Paso Locomotive FC

A product of the Philadelphia Union Academy, Brandan Craig has been considered one of the United States’ top center back products for a while and was a key piece as the United States U-20s advanced to the Quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year alongside then-Louisville City FC center back Joshua Wynder. With a backlog of experienced defenders in the Union’s squad, however, the need for consistent playing time was there for the 19-year-old and his season-long loan to El Paso Locomotive FC provides an ideal solution.

Locomotive’s playing style should fit Craig’s own, and given there was little reticence from Head Coach Brian Clarhaut a season ago in trusting another young CB in Erik McCue there should be the opportunity for Craig to be a consistent presence in the El Paso lineup. As he looks to impress and try to earn a spot on the United States U-23s squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer, Craig will be aiming to deliver his best as he continues his pathway for club and country.

Giulio Doratiotto, Phoenix Rising FC

The USL Championship has seen players from Italy in the league before, but none of them have had the background of the pedigree that Giulio Doratiotto is bringing to Phoenix Rising FC. A graduate of Juventus FC’s academy – where he had opportunities to train with the First Team – who has competed in Italy’s youth national team system, the 19-year-old midfielder decided to sign his first pro contract with Phoenix this offseason after meeting with the club’s leadership during its trip to the training facility at Vinovo last November.

Doratiotto arrives in a squad that has seen some important departures since it lifted the USL Championship trophy last season including influential midfielder Carlos Harvey after his transfer to Minnesota United FC. As the young Italian steps into his new environment, there may be patience required, but he seems determined to succeed and open his own pathway in the professional ranks.

Dominic Gasso, Detroit City FC

Detroit City FC has had its fair share of local heroes in its history, the best example being current goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher. In Dominic Gasso, it has something similar, but new, as the first DCFC Academy product to join the professional ranks with the club, and he’s already started to make an impact.

Gasso’s first professional goal last season, which lifted Le Rouge to a stunning upset of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the USL Championship Playoffs, is one thing, but by that point the 20-year-old had already established himself in the starting lineup as a holding midfielder, making 10 starts and logging almost 1,000 minutes overall in the 2023 season. As he enters the new campaign, the Grand Blanc, Mich. native will be aiming for even more.

Bryce Jamison, Orange County SC

Between his 27 appearances – including 10 starts – for Orange County SC in the USL Championship and appearances for the United States at the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Indonesia, the past year was an important step forward for Bryce Jamison. Now, having turned 18 years old in January, this is the moment he should be poised for a breakout campaign and set up his opportunity to be the next player to make the move to Europe from OCSC after the recent transfers of Kobi Henry and Korede Osundina.

Jamison’s speed on the flank and willingness to take opponents on has regularly been in evidence, but the key now is going to be finding a consistent level for a side that is expecting to compete for silverware this season. He had one goal and one assist a season ago for OCSC, but only 12 chances created in just over 1,000 minutes. The opportunities should be offered, it’s now a question of Jamison grasping the moment and delivering success.

Damian Las, Louisville City FC

There was no question who the top goalkeeper in MLS NEXT Pro was a season ago. Competing for Austin FC II, Damian Las recorded 12 shutouts – twice as many as his nearest rival – and posted a save percentage of 81.6 percent, a -10.2 Goals Prevented mark and a 0.67 goals-against average. Now the 21-year-old steps into the squad – and likely the starting lineup – on loan with Louisville City FC and will try to come close to matching those numbers at a higher level of competition.

Las has been a known name for American soccer followers since his time at Fulham FC, during which he competed for the United States U-17 Men’s National Team at the 2019 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup. His pathway has taken some turns since then, including his return to the United States and Austin, but the pedigree he has is not in question. If he delivers again this season, there could be a star in the making.

Cristian Nava, New Mexico United

Everything appeared to be in place for Cristian Nava last preseason. Reports of his progression were positive, and it felt certain he was going to have a major role to play in New Mexico United’s campaign. Then the Albuquerque native suffered a torn ACL one game into the season, and the year was lost, a major rehab ahead.

This, then, is Nava’s comeback year and it’s certain the 20-year-old will be eager to make up for lost time. Having recorded two goals and two assists in the 2022 season, the skill he possesses on the ball makes Nava a potential difference-maker in the final third. As an avatar for United’s mission – as illustrated in Nava’s story being featured in Showtime’s The World According to Football – the success he achieves will be felt deeply across the club’s fanbase.

Nighte Pickering, Memphis 901 FC

If Nighte Pickering needs any inspiration this campaign, he need only look at one of his counterparts across the Southern Harm rivalry, for what Birmingham Legion FC’s Matthew Corcoran achieved last season in earning his spot in the United States’ squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup could well be within reach for the 19-year-old forward at the next level of the USYNT program.

Pickering recorded four goals and four assists last season for Memphis, taking a strong step forward after turning pro with 901 FC midway through the 2022 campaign. He should get even more opportunity this season after logging just over 1,000 minutes in 31 appearances in 2023, with the talent Pickering possesses in evidence this preseason with his brilliant strike against Atlanta United FC. If he breaks out of the gates fast, there could be a spot waiting for him at the Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship in August.

Marco Rios, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC doesn’t yet officially have its own Academy program, but the story of Marco Rios and others like it are a perfect illustration of the collaboration the club has undertaken with local clubs to provide a higher level of competition for the region’s best players.

Formerly of Real Colorado, Rios had training stints previously with the Switchbacks, but midway through last season he earned his opportunity to see action, joining as a USL Academy signing. While there were ups and downs, with two goals in five appearances – all as substitutes, totaling 79 minutes of action – the qualities Rios possesses in the attacking third showed the Switchbacks what they needed to see. This offseason, the club signed the 18-year-old to his first professional contract, making him the first player to move from a USL Academy deal to a professional deal in Switchbacks history. There’s a long way to go for the Pueblo, Colo native, but it’s going to be worth keeping a close eye on.

Nate Worth, FC Tulsa

When Nate Worth joined FC Tulsa early last season, he was adamant about his reasoning. “I’m excited to have the chance to continue playing in the USL Championship and play meaningful games with a team that wants to compete for the playoffs and the USL title,” he said at the time. Since then, his performances have lived up to the hype with Worth’s late-season run in Tulsa’s starting lineup showing the qualities the 17-year-old brings to the table.

Worth posted a passing accuracy rate of 85.8 percent as a deep-lying midfielder for Tulsa, and showed even at his young age he was capable of winning physical battles and possession in the center of the park. That’s made him a coveted prospect for clubs in Europe – this offseason, he went on a training stint with Club Brugge in Belgium – and one to watch closely this campaign.