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7 Young Players you need to know from Week 6 in the USL Championship, League One | Young Player Spotlight

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/15/25, 9:55AM EDT

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Owen Damm continues his progression at FC Tulsa, while Luis Álvarez adds to his resume with the Charlotte Independence


FC Tulsa's Owen Damm scored his first goal in the USL Championship, and second this season across all competitions, as his individual progression has continued to grow this season for the Scissortails. | Photo courtesy Courtney Tinius / FC Tulsa

The past week across the USL Championship and League One featured some familiar young standouts making an impact for their sides, and some notable firsts that highlighted stellar performances among the U-22 players competing in both divisions.

Here are 7 players you should know from Week 6 of the campaign.

Owen Damm, FC Tulsa – Coming into FC Tulsa last season on loan from Louisville City FC – where he graduated from the LouCity Academy to a pro deal – there was a learning curve for Owen Damm as he played his first full season as a starter for the Scissortails.

After signing a permanent deal with the club this offseason, however, the 21-year-old is showing the benefit of that experience. After scoring his first professional goal in Tulsa’s 3-1 win against Forward Madison FC in the U.S. Open Cup at the start of the month, Damm bagged his first in the Championship on Saturday with a blistering strike that’s nominated for the league’s Goal of the Week.

“Big moment for him and the team,” said Tulsa Head Coach Luke Spencer. “He made a confident play, cut inside, and finished well. It gave us energy at the right time. Unfortunate to concede right after, but it was a strong moment individually and shows his growth.”

Playing as a wingback on the left side of the Tulsa midfield, Damm put in a strong overall performance despite the side’s 2-1 loss to Oakland Roots SC. He completed 18 of 21 passes overall while notching one chance created and won 8 of 10 duels defensively, continuing a positive second campaign that has helped Tulsa into a top-four position early in the season.

“Coming off Forward Madison, we had a good performance to build on,” said Damm. “Offensively, it was strong, but I need to tighten up defensively. It’s good that we’re building chemistry with the front three.”

Luis Álvarez, Charlotte Independence – Last year’s finalist for USL League One Young Player of the Year continued his impressive start to the new season with his first league goal of the campaign on Friday night against Forward Madison FC, giving him two in all competitions after tallying in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.


The Charlotte Independence's Luis Álvarez scored his first goal of the league campaign on Friday night, part of a bright all-around display against Forward Madison FC. | Photo courtesy Laura Stroud / Charlotte Independence

Having turned 22 in January, Álvarez completed 3 of 3 dribbled and had a game-high 15 final-third entries as he helped drive the Independence attack in a strong second-half performance. The Honduran also put in work defensively, winning 2 of 2 tackles and 7 of 12 duels and making 10 recoveries and two interceptions, adding to his credentials as one of League One’s top young talents.

Shawn Smart, Las Vegas Lights FC – After his early-season absence following a stellar rookie campaign, Shawn Smart looked back to his best defensively as the Lights earned a scoreless draw on the road against Lexington SC on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old won a game-high 4 of 5 tackles and 12 of 19 duels playing as the right-sided wingback for the Lights, while also completing 20 of 23 passes and recording one chance created. A College Cup winner at Clemson before he signed with the Lights last season, Smart continues to show himself as one of the top defensive prospects in the Championship.

Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC – The past week wasn’t quite up there with the complete performances we’ve seen from Abdellatif Aboukoura so far this season – his first-half miss against the Tampa Bay Rowdies was a chance he’ll want back – but the confidence he continues to show is proving contagious for the Eastern Conference leaders.

The 20-year-old scored his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot to remain tied for the league-lead, but it was his set-up of a chance for Zach Ryan that grabbed our attention in the first half, a beautiful heel-flick pass that set up a finish that Rowdies goalkeeper Nicolás Campisi did well to keep out.

James Sneddon, Richmond Kickers – It speaks volumes about the belief Richmond Kickers Head Coach Darren Sawatzky has in 19-year-old goalkeeper James Sneddon that the Kickers Academy product has become a consistent starter this season after turning pro with the club during the offseason.

Last Wednesday night, Sneddon showed why with a pair of key saves and impressive command of his penalty area overall to earn a shutout against Union Omaha that allowed Richmond to grab a 1-0 victory at City Stadium.

“James is growing every day and he made some very good saves tonight which kept us in the game,” said Sawatzky. “That’s the special part about him, he’ll make the save you need him to make and tonight he did that.”

Joaquin Acuña, AV ALTA FC – Entering his first professional season after competing for the University of North Florida collegiately, Joaquin Acuña has been primarily an option off the bench in League One for AV ALTA FC so far this season.

On Saturday, though, he held his nerve late to convert from the penalty spot and give his side its fourth consecutive win across all competitions at Lancaster Municipal Stadium with a 3-2 result against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

“It feels good to get my first pro goal, especially in a game like this,” said Acuña. “I just stayed focused, picked my spot, and finished it. More than anything, I’m happy I could help the team get a big result.”

Acuña had previously picked up an assist in his lone start so far this season against USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup. After his industrious 15-minute cameo this past weekend, he could get more opportunities moving forward.

Pele Ousmanou, Charlotte Independence – Coming in on loan from the USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic, Pele Ousmanou got his first real opportunity in league play for the Independence this past Friday against Forward Madison FC and stepped up to the mark.

The 20-year-old Cameroonian center back was solid in possession, completing 46 of 52 passes and 2 of 2 dribbles, and won 7 of 10 duels defensively while recording two clearances and one interception. Having previously recorded his lone start in the U.S. Open Cup, Ousmanou could be in line for more minutes as his development continues.

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