A busy week of action across the USL Championship and League One saw another collection of the top U-22 talent in both leagues make the most of their the opportunity, including a record-setting debut at Phoenix Rising FC and some game-changing moments elsewhere.

While six of the league’s U-20 players were away competing for the U-19, U-18 and U-17 Men’s National Teams, here are seven standouts that caught our attention.

1. Finn Sundstrom, North Carolina FC

The 18-year-old NCFC Academy product has been a consistent presence for the First Team this season, making eight starts in nine appearances in league play. This past Friday night, he provided the pick-me-up North Carolina needed to continue its four-game winning streak, providing a well-flighted assist for Pedro Dolabella’s stoppage-time winner against Hartford Athletic at Trinity Health Stadium.

Currently a USL Academy signing, Sundstrom made his debut for NCFC last season before his elevated role this season. Against Hartford, his numbers were consistent with the season he’s put together, completing 79 percent of passes (23/26) and 50 percent of his long passes (3/6) while winning his lone contested tackle and lone contested duel of the game. Playing alongside veterans Paco Craig and Bryce Washington, Sunstrom has some great mentors to learn from, but is coming into his own impressively.

2. Moses Nyeman, Loudoun United FC

It had been more than 1,000 days since Moses Nyeman had last scored for Loudoun United, but the 21-year-old delivered at the most opportune moment on Saturday evening with the equalizer in United’s 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery in the marquee game of the Week 14 slate.

Having returned to Loudoun this offseason after stints in Europe and Major League Soccer, Nyeman has worked his way into the lineup since his first league start in early May. Against the Battery, the central midfielder stepped forward alertly into the penalty area after Abdellatif Aboukoura’s initial free kick deflected free into the right side of the penalty area and struck home a low first-time finish into the bottom-left corner. Nyeman also won 4 of 6 ground duels and made eight recoveries while completing 29 of 38 passes to cap a solid all-around display.

3. Cyrus Kowall, Phoenix Rising FC

Kowall made Rising history on Saturday night, becoming the youngest player to start a game in its history aged 16 years, 4 months, 10 days old. In a 63-minute performance, he showed flashes of why he earned that opportunity.

Kowall completed 9 of 9 passes and had one chance created for Phoenix as it claimed a 3-1 victory against Orange County SC, linking play calmly in the opposing half. For a side that has seen 18-year-old Braxton Montgomery feature consistently this season, it’s a sign of the opportunity Rising Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah is prepared to give the club’s emerging talent if they earn their spot.

“That's the mentality that we have. … This is who we are as a club. Right?” said Kah. “We give opportunities to players when they deserve to play, but you got to earn that right to play. We have a core group of academy players that are with us on a daily basis. And today you saw Cyrus, you know, another day could be Pierce Rizzo. Another day could be Zach Da Silva. Another day, could be Alex Bimbo. … We have a bunch of academy players that we believe in, that we are working with every day and making sure that they see and trust the work that they're doing every day in this pathway.”

4. Reid Valentine, Texoma FC

As Texoma’s winning streak in league play reached three games, the Dallas native continued to impress on the back line in its 2-1 victory on the road against the Richmond Kickers, coming up with some key moments late on as Los Pájaros took their first road win in club history.

The 19-year-old notched four clearances and three interceptions, helping break up play outside the penalty area, and delivered a crucial block with five minutes to go, sliding in to break up an opportunity for Richmond’s Simon Fitch from eight yards out to send the ball behind for a corner. Valentine’s work helped Texoma see out the result and move above the playoff line in the League One standings for the first time.

5. Ascel Essengue, Phoenix Rising FC

The Cameroonian center back has become a fixture in the back line for Rising since his acquisition on loan from the LA Galaxy at the start of May, and put in another positive performance in Saturday’s 3-1 win against Orange County SC while also scoring the decisive goal, his first for the club.

Essengue scored from just inside the penalty area after Rising had recycled a corner kick at the top of the box, turning neatly onto his right foot before delivering a powerful low shot that OCSC goalkeeper Colin Shutler was unable to keep out. The 22-year-old also completed 73 of 83 passes and won 3 of 4 aerial duels as Rising extended its winning streak to four games in league play.

6. Javier Mariona, AV ALTA FC

Antelope Valley played to an entertaining scoreless draw against League One-leader Spokane Velocity FC, but if there was going to be a winner for the hosts at Lancaster Municipal Stadium there was a good chance it was going to come from Mariona. The 20-year-old was a consistent threat on the left side with his speed and willingness to take on defenders as he ended the night with five shots and two chances created.

Mariona almost grabbed a late winner for the hosts, combining well with Jerry Desdunes to set up a chance in the right side of the penalty area for a near-post shot that forced a good save from Spokane’s Carlos Merancio. Playing his first full 90 minutes of the season, the Philippines international could be ready to push on for the first-year club.

7. Griffin Garnett, Richmond Kickers

Nominated for last year’s League One Young Player of the Year award, Garnett came out on the wrong side of the Kickers’ 2-1 setback to Texoma FC on Saturday night but put in a strong display in and out of possession individually to again highlight his potential in the club’s back line.

The 18-year-old won 3 of 3 tackles, winning possession cleanly on a threatening chance in the first half for Texoma’s Charlie Baker, and 3 of 4 ground duels for the hosts at City Stadium while also completing 61 of 66 passes, including 5 of 7 long passes. The Kickers continue to lean into their local talent – five Richmond natives were in the starting lineup on Saturday – with Griffin the youngest of the contingent.