For numerous seasons, Orange County SC has become renowned for its young talent pipeline that has seen players feature for the club’s First Team in the USL Championship and then make the move to Europe.

The prospect that is drawing the most attention at the start of this season, though? He’s one of their own.

Center back Ashton Miles is a native of nearby Fullerton, Calif., and earlier this year made history in becoming the first player to come through OCSC II – the club’s USL Academy program – to sign professional terms.

On Saturday, the 19-year-old notched his first professional goal with a powerful header in Orange County’s 2-2 draw with Miami FC, part of a third consecutive start to start the new campaign. While there are absences in the Orange County back line that have contributed to that, Miles has seized his opportunity.

While the pipeline from Orange County has been made up so far from prospects brought to the club from elsewhere, Miles’ potential ascent is an illustration of the next wave that could be coming through the club’s development pathway.

Here are some of the other young talents that grabbed our attention this week…

- Ray Serrano, Louisville City FC: The 21-year-old was dynamic in LouCity’s home opener victory and earned the penalty that led to the game-winning goal before bagging his first goal since 2022 to wrap up a 3-1 win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

- Hugo Mbongue, San Antonio FC: The 19-year-old made an impact off the bench for SAFC, providing the assist on the game-winning goal before scoring himself to wrap up all three points against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

- Paul Walters, Hartford Athletic: The 19-year-old goalkeeper posted a three-save shutout for his second clean sheet of the season, including a crucial late one-on-one denial on Birmingham Legion FC’s Tyler Pasher to preserve a 1-0 victory for Hartford.

- Mohamed Traore & Pape Mar Boye Phoenix Rising FC: The two young center backs helped Phoenix post its first shutout of the season as Traore won 7 of 8 duels and 3 of 3 tackles while Mar Boye completed 47 of 54 passes and made five clearances.

- Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC: The 20-year-old right back helped Las Vegas take its first victory of the season with a shutout as he completed a game-high 43 passes on 52 attempts and won 2 of 3 tackles.