Two weeks down in the USL Championship and League One season, we’re starting to see some clear U-22 standouts emerge to watch over the course of the campaign.

Here are the players you need to know that impressed us over the second weekend of the season.

Luis Álvarez, Charlotte Independence – The 22-year-old Honduran was a finalist for the USL League One Young Player of the Year award a season ago and picked up where he left off as the Independence took a 1-0 win against the Richmond Kickers in their 2025 opener.

Álvarez provided the assist with a sweeping ball to set up fellow 22-year-old Anthony Sorenson’s winner and had four chances created and four shots overall as his ability to create off the dribble continued to shine. Check out the cross with the outside of his right foot from the left flank that set up a chance for Rafael Jauregui that was well denied by Kickers goalkeeper James Sneddon.

It wasn’t just attack where Álvarez was doing work, though. He also won 8 of 12 duels and 3 of 4 tackles defensively, which resulted in him earning a game-best 33.4 Opta Points rating.

Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC – The 20-year-old continued his fast start to the season with a second goal in as many games, helping Loudoun rally for a 2-1 victory against North Carolina FC on the road.

Aboukoura’s quality from distance continues to stand out. While his finish off a short corner routine came from just inside the top of the penalty area, the Egypt Youth International has already recorded four goals out of his 11 in the Championship from beyond the penalty area, with his right foot a potent weapon in the attacking third.

Against North Carolina, he notched three shots overall, putting two on target, while completing 25 of 30 passes and 3 of 6 dribbles and winning 4 of 7 ground duels. Get on the bandwagon now.

Kieran Sargent, Lexington SC – The 21-year-old put in another solid attacking shift on the left side of Lexington’s lineup in the side’s 2-2 draw on the road against Orange County, providing the assist on Marcus Epps’ second-half goal on one of his two chances created.

The Houston Dynamo loanee was sharp on the ball in 70 minutes of action, completing 22 of 23 passes overall as he combined well on the left flank while completing his lone attempted dribble of the night.

James Sneddon, Richmond Kickers – The Kickers came out on the wrong side of the result against the Charlotte Independence, but Sneddon was impressive between the sticks nonetheless. His three saves on the night – including an outstanding first-half stop to keep out a close-range header by Charlotte’s Rafael Jauregui – kept the Kickers in the game.

The 18-year-old has shown off impressive reflexes already this season. Against Charlotte, those saw him net a -0.79 Goals Prevented mark as he continues to build in his first full professional campaign.

Xavi Gnaulati, Monterey Bay FC – The 20-year-old was an impact substitute for Monterey Bay as it rallied for a 3-2 victory against NorCal rival Oakland Roots SC at Cardinale Stadium. Gnaulati won the penalty kick that put MBFC ahead after Ilijah Paul converted and was tidy in possession in midfield. The San Diego, Calif. native completed 7 of 10 passes overall and won 4 of 5 ground duels to help the hosts see out their first win of the season.

Logan Neidlinger, Indy Eleven – The 19-year-old Indy Eleven Academy product came on as a halftime substitute in the club’s season opener and put in an impressive shift defensively on the right side of the lineup. Neidlinger won 3 of 3 ground duels and 2 of 3 tackles and recorded three interceptions and three clearances to help the Boys in Blue see out a comfortable opening victory against Miami FC.