If you saw some of the biggest highlights from the past weekend’s action in the USL Championship, you probably saw some of the league’s top young talent involved. From a pair of spectacular game-winning goals to some notable defensive displays, there was plenty to like from the 39 players born in 2002 or later that featured during Week 21.

Here are seven players who stood out, leading off with one of the players who continues to lead one of the impressive turnaround seasons in the USL Championship this year.

Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC

Since turning pro with Las Vegas Lights FC this offseason, Shawn Smart has already been one of the key pieces in the club’s turnaround. On Friday night, he continued an impressive run of recent form with his second goal of the season, giving the Lights the lead against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a game that ended up all square but extended Las Vegas’ undefeated run to nine games – now a club record.

The 20-year-old right back continued to be impressive defensively, in addition to his forays into attack against the Switchbacks. He won 2 of 2 tackles, made five clearances and two interceptions and won 9 of 18 duels overall. One of our picks on an USL-oriented U.S. Men’s Olympic squad last week, Smart has been one of the best full backs, period, in the Championship during the Lights’ undefeated run. Since June 1, he ranks second among outside backs with a +2.54 Goals Added mark per American Soccer Analysis.

With another massive clash coming on Wednesday night against New Mexico United, Smart and the Lights keep working toward a first postseason berth.

Nate Worth, Tampa Bay Rowdies

If you were wondering why the Rowdies went and got Nate Worth – and why FC Tulsa fans were disappointed to see him leave earlier this season – there’s your answer.

The 17-year-old’s first goal for the Rowdies was a masterpiece.

It also says something that with a chance to take the lead and one of the league’s best dead ball specialists on the field – in this case Lewis Hilton – Tampa Bay Head Coach Robbie Neilson opted to give Worth the shot.

“I just felt in the moment of the game that he was the one to take it,” said Neilson. “You see him every day at practice and he slots it in the top corner regularly. Lewis was going to take it, but having seen him I felt it was a perfect position for Nate to take it, and thankfully he’s produced an absolute worldie.”

Worth is surrounded by experience in Tampa Bay, but that moment as part of a crucial victory against the Charleston Battery showed why the club believes in the talent he has.

• READ MORE: Nate Worth’s first goal for the Tampa Bay Rowdies is why we go to games

Samuel Careaga, Memphis 901 FC

With injuries and suspension hitting 901 FC’s squad, Samuel Careaga produced arguably his best performance since the opening day of the season while bagging the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC at AutoZone Park.

The 22-year-old Argentine – whose loan from Lanus continued into this season after his arrival last year – scored a thunderous finish from the left side of the penalty area, and back that up with diligent work in the center of midfield. Careaga completed 32 of 39 passes, won the only tackle he contested and also made nine recoveries and four clearances defensively.

Elijah Wynder, Louisville City FC

Another week, another goal for Elijah Wynder, whose headed finish restored LouCity’s two-goal advantage against Monterey Bay F.C. on the way to a 4-1 victory and a ninth win out of 10 at Lynn Family Stadium this season.

Wynder’s aerial play stood out against Monterey Bay. In addition to his fifth goal of the season he won 5 of 6 aerial duels. While he wasn’t as clean as he could have been on the deck, completing only 24 of 34 passes and winning 2 of 7 ground duels, it was still another solid display from the 21-year-old as his career season continues.

Ramiz Hamouda, Birmingham Legion FC

For a second consecutive outing, the 16-year-old was slotted into a central midfield position and hardly put a foot wrong. The United States youth international completed 14 of 15 passes, won 2 of 2 tackles and 2 of 2 ground duels and made four recoveries before coming off at the halftime break for Legion legend Prosper Kasim.

Hamouda’s long-term position is going to be on the back line but delivering that sort of versatility reminds us of one of Birmingham’s favorite sons – current U.S. international Chris Richards.  

Luisinho, Miami FC

There haven’t been a lot of silver linings for Miami FC this season, but Luisinho can at least make that claim. The 21-year-old Brazilian put in a strong 20-minute cameo on Saturday night to try and help the hosts rally against Oakland Roots SC, delivering the assist on Frank Lopez’s goal, recording two chances created and one shot overall while completing 9 of 11 passes.

Pape Mar Boye, Phoenix Rising FC

The 20-year-old Senegalese center back didn’t find the net for a second consecutive outing, but he was among the better players for Phoenix as it came away with a point in a quiet contest on the road at Hartford Athletic. Mar Boye made nine clearances, five recoveries and three interceptions while completing 57 of 64 passes to continue his positive recent run.