The past week of action in the USL Championship, League One and U.S. Open Cup produced an outrageous halfway-line finish, a table-setting performance in a key road victory for a recent Championship title-winner and another stellar display from the top U-22 talent in the USL so far this campaign.

Here are seven young talents who grabbed the spotlight over the past week of action as the regular season entered its second quarter with some new faces joining familiar names in producing notable performances.

1. Jamison Ping, Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising went into Saturday’s visit to New Mexico United with a clear idea of how it wanted to try and nullify the hosts’ attacking threat. When it came to putting the plan into action, 17-year-old Jamison Ping played his part in helping secure a 2-1 victory at Isotopes Park while showing the potential he possesses after turning pro with the club this preseason.

Lined up on the left side of a narrow midfield trio that featured JP Scearce in the center and Noble Okello on the right, the Rising Academy product’s positioning helped the side funnel play to the flanks, resulting in New Mexico taking a season-high 21 crosses. While slight in size at 5-foot-8 and a listed 134 pounds, Ping won 5 of 9 duels and 2 of 2 tackles – the only player to win multiple tackles in Phoenix’s lineup – and was composed on the ball while completing 16 of 19 passes.

Coming off taking Houston Dynamo FC to extra time before falling in midweek in the U.S. Open Cup, the overall display was one that was pleasing to Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah.

“The boys also did a good job mentally staying ready, knowing this is a derby,” said Kah. “It means a lot to our fans, and this was an absolute must-win for our fans given we haven’t had the best of starts to the season. This group is growing, and you can see the growth every single day.”

Ping more than doubled his minutes this regular season against New Mexico. Having become the second-youngest player to start a contest in Rising history earlier this season on his 17th birthday, it will be intriguing to see how he progresses from here with the opportunities he earns in the lineup.

2. Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

What more can you say about the clear frontrunner for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award at this point? Abdellatif Aboukoura’s seventh goal of the season – moving him into a tie for the lead in the Golden Boot – against Lexington SC this past Saturday was another example of how his instincts have helped United remain at the top of the Eastern Conference in a breakout campaign for the club.

As Loudoun’s midfield pressure turned the ball over near the center circle, the 20-year-old was already in motion toward goal. His deft first touch maintained possession as he shifted past a flat-footed defender and from there his momentum carried him past another challenge before shooting low across his body to the left corner, eluding Lexington goalkeeper Logan Ketterer’s grasp.

While Florian Valot and Zach Ryan each notched a goal and assist in the side’s 5-1 victory, Aboukoura graded out with the highest Opta Points grade at 33.6 for the game. Not only did he log a team-high three shots and two efforts on target, Aboukoura led the side with seven recoveries and two interceptions while also winning 2 of 2 tackles. The Egyptian youth international continues to push forward, putting him in the Player of the Year picture at this point of the campaign.

3. Osvaldo Lay, AV ALTA FC

You saw Osvaldo Lay’s first goal for AV ALTA last week against FC Dallas, right? The outrageous effort from inside his own half that caught out FCD goalkeeper Michael Collodi to level the game at Toyota Stadium in the first half for the first-year USL League One club?

It was a moment of inspiration for the former Panama youth international, but the 22-year-old showed why he’s become a key piece for Antelope Valley in its inaugural season this weekend with a strong all-around display in his more conventional role at the base of the club’s midfield. Lay was a ball-winning machine for his side against Texoma FC, winning 11 of 14 duels – a game-high – and 3 of 4 tackles while completing 38 of 46 passes as the side notched its second shutout of the season.

Lay has put in some notable performances already this season, including in the club’s Open Cup contests against LAFC II and Orange County, but this past week was one that showed his potential value moving forward.

4. Bryce Jamison, Orange County SC

It’s been a quiet start to the 2025 campaign for Bryce Jamison, who has yet to record a goal contribution this season in five appearances, but the future Colorado Rapids player – his transfer and loan back to OCSC for the remainder of this season – gave a reminder of how he can help Orange County be an attacking threat despite the side’s defeat to North Carolina FC this past Friday night.

The 19-year-old was denied his first goal of the season early at First Horizon Stadium with his sharp first-time finish saved brilliantly by NCFC goalkeeper Jake McGuire and his speed provided a regular threat to the hosts’ back line as he teamed with Lyam MacKinnon and Cameron Dunbar in the front line. Jamison recorded four shots, and would have hoped to have done better with his chance in the 35th minute that he dragged wide of the left post, but there were positive signs to take away from a game OCSC easily could have taken something from.

5. Nathanial James, Portland Hearts of Pine

As introductions go, Nathanial James’ USL League One debut couldn’t have gone much better. The 20-year-old’s timely close-range finish for Portland Hearts of Pine two minutes after coming on for fellow Trinidad and Tobago native Michael Poon-Angeron gave his side a 2-2 draw on the road against Union Omaha in the defending League One title-holders’ home opener this season, and illustrated James’ knack for scoring opportune goals in his young career.

James’ late appearance officially marked his third appearance for Portland this season, having previously appeared in the U.S. Open Cup and USL Jägermeister Cup, and in reality the opportunity off Nathan Messer’s tremendous delivery was the biggest chance of the game for either side.

But James has done this before. During Trinidad and Tobago’s 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League campaign he bagged a pair of late game-winners against Curaçao and Guatemala that carried the side into the Quarterfinals where they faced the United States. James is still coming into his own in Maine, but he could prove a useful piece as the campaign continues.

6. Javen Romero, Charlotte Independence

The Charlotte Independence have shown no concern about putting its young talent on the field this season, and in his third start of the campaign in League One play Javen Romero was the latest to shine. The 19-year-old center back produced a solid display as his side rallied back for a 3-2 victory against Westchester SC on Saturday evening to solidify their position in the top four of the standings.

A product of the LAFC Academy who previously saw brief action with Las Vegas Lights FC during the 2021 season, the 19-year-old headed to the Independence this offseason. Playing as the left center back against Westchester, he showed his ability to hit a long diagonal consistently to the right flank to help the visitors establish possession in the attacking half and completed a team-high 41 of 51 passes overall. Romero also won 6 of 8 ground duels and a game-high 3 of 4 tackles, offering an insight as to why he’s been cycled into the lineup in recent weeks by Head Coach Mike Jeffries.

7. Endri Mustali, Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Rowdies continue to bring along Endri Mustali gradually, but the 17-year-old is starting to make an impact when he gets opportunities in league play. The center forward bagged an assist in his second consecutive game, winning a header in midfield off a clearance by Battery goalkeeper Luis Zamudio and directing the ball into the path of attacking partner Woobens Pacius, who finished superbly from the left side of the penalty area.

Brought on with just under half-an-hour to play, Mustali will want to get more involved in his future opportunities. He recorded only six touches in 27 minutes, but did complete 3 of 4 passes and won one tackle, one aerial duel and one ground duel as Tampa Bay’s attempt to rally came up short. At the same time, he’s now the only Tampa Bay player with multiple assists in league play this season, showing the potential he possesses to impact a game.