As evidenced by transfer moves both overseas and domestically in the last five years, there have never been more eyes on the young talent in the USL Championship than there are now.

The latest evidence came in August, when 21-year-old Hartford Athletic forward Mamadou Dieng was acquired by Minnesota United FC, marking the first transfer by Athletic to a club in Major League Soccer in history.

Last week, international site Transfermarkt.com released its updated valuations for every player in the USL Championship, with some of this year’s standouts raising the profile and potential price tag.

Here’s a look at the top 13 players aged 22 and under from the list, and why they should be on your radar ahead of the upcoming 2026 campaign.

13. Boubacar Diallo, Midfielder, FC Tulsa

There’s a reason why the Scissortails just signed Baboucar Diallo to a new multi-year contract after a stellar first season with the club – the 22-year-old had that big an impact in the center of midfield. Diallo ranked first among U-23 players in the USL Championship with 111 recoveries while also winning 135 duels at a 50.4 percent mark and notching two goals and 4.18 Expected Goals+Assists mark in the 2025 season.

Diallo ranked ninth among central midfielders in American Soccer Analysis’ Goals Added metric at a +3.76 mark, ahead of seasoned veterans like Indy Eleven’s Cam Lindley (+3.18) and Louisville City’s Kevon Lambert (+3.15). As he enters Year 2 in Tulsa, there’s clear potential for growth.

12. Pape Mar Boye, Phoenix Rising FC

The second-year pro’s season was hampered by injury but make no mistake – when Pape Mar Boye was on the field, he was producing at a high level. The 22-year-old posted a 66.2 percent duels success rate and logged 102 clearances across 1,392 minutes of action, an average of 6.6 per game, while averaging 41.1 completed passes per game at an 83.1 percent accuracy rate.

Boye’s presence on one of the most youthful sides in the USL Championship saw him handed the captain’s armband regularly, a sign of the regard Head Coach Pa Modou Kah holds his young leader. Two years on from winning the College Cup at Clemson University, he remains a strong prospect.

11. Blake Willey, Sacramento Republic FC

There might be no player that broke through more strongly in 2025 while competing in their first season in the league than Republic FC’s Blake Willey, with the 18-year-old midfielder a regular in the starting lineup while visibly growing in confidence throughout the year.

Part of the United States U-18 team that won the UEFA Friendship Cup in mid-summer, Willey has already recorded 36 appearances in the USL Championship and notched 1,660 minutes of action, while this season he notched three assists and 17 chances created. He’s already a solid two-way player as well, winning 72 duels, 19 tackles and making 73 recoveries, and should be one to watch in the next U.S. U-20s cycle.

10. Chibi Ukaegbu, Sacramento Republic FC

The other current standout from Republic FC’s Academy, Ukaegbu didn’t have the breakout that teammate Blake Willey did this season, but his pedigree and on-field performances have shown why the 18-year-old is regarded as one of the top young defenders in the league. Earning call-ups this year to the United States U-20s, Ukaebu has recorded 24 appearances and logged 1,403 minutes in the USL Championship while recording 62 recoveries, 32 interceptions and 45 clearances.

Ukaegbu’s interceptions number is the one that should stand out most – his ability to read the game and cut out opportunities before they fully develop has been notable, averaging 2.25 interceptions per 90 minutes. Already solid with the ball at his feet, the right-sided center back will continue to grow next year.

9. Collin Smith, Phoenix Rising FC

Prior to his arrival at Phoenix Rising FC this season, we had seen flashes of Collin Smith’s potential at stops with Birmingham Legion FC and Rhode Island FC, but this season felt like the one where the 22-year-old put it all together to become a strong two-way performer on the right side. Smith has logged 70 appearances and 4,302 minutes of action already in the Championship, and this year put up a +3.24 Goals Added mark while recording a career-best 61.9 percent duel success rate on 112 duels won.

Where Smith shines most is in his ability in one-on-one matchups. Across three seasons, he’s completed 62 dribbles at a 58.5 percent success rate, making him a handful for opposing back lines to cover. Raising that ability with more end product – he’s recorded three assists on 4.00 Expected Assists and 27 chances created in the league so far – will take his game to an even higher level.

8. Arquímides Ordóñez, Loudoun United FC

The addition of Ordóñez to Loudoun United’s roster this summer was one of the most intriguing moves of the season, with the 22-year-old Guatemala international having already shown potential as he came through the FC Cincinnati Academy earlier in his career.

Ordóñez made a positive impact for United, scoring four goals in 10 appearances to help the side reach the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time, but it was his ability to get into dangerous positions that stood out most. Ordóñez logged a 5.94 Expected Goals mark, and was unlucky not to find the net more frequently. That’s a quality that is always going to be highly valuable, and should see Ordóñez star for United next year.

7. Junior Moreira, Hartford Athletic

In his first season with Hartford Athletic, Moreira didn’t quite have the impact of some of the other players in this list, but what we do know is the 20-year-old native of Guinea-Bissau already has a title-winning pedigree and the potential for a breakout campaign.

Moreira came to Hartford having helped Cancun FC claim the Campeón de Campeones Final in the Liga de Ascension in Mexico. After logging 1,185 minutes in 20 appearances this past campaign, notching one goal and three chances created, the attacking midfielder will be aiming to level up as Hartford aims to make its next step forward after claiming its first silverware in the USL Jägermeister Cup in 2025.

6. Xavi Gnaulati, Monterey Bay FC

While Monterey Bay FC didn’t reach the postseason in the 2025 campaign, the emergence of Xavi Gnaulati as a piece to build around for the future was one of the silver linings the campaign provided. The 20-year-old notched only one goal, but set career-bests in appearances (22), minutes played (1,155) and chances created (15) to help support Mayele Malango in the side’s creative corps.

Gnaulati has now recorded 47 appearances in the Championship in his career, and will enter his fourth season in 2026 looking for a breakout campaign. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Jordan Stewart and with the arrival of new Chairman Oliver Wyss – who’s reputation for developing talent at Orange County SC precedes him – there should be reason to keep tabs on the San Diego native.

5. Damián Rivera, Phoenix Rising FC

It might have faded from memory given how early in the season it occurred, but if you wanted an insight into the talent Rivera possesses, you just need to watch his control and finish against Rhode Island FC in March. That was the highlight of a season that saw the 22-year-old miss time due to injury – curtailing his potential arrival for Guatemala’s national team, which he filed a one-time switch to represent from Costa Rica earlier this year.

Rivera has recorded eight goals and three assists in 1,689 minutes overall in the USL Championship, having served as a super-sub for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2024 while on loan from the New England Revolution. In a full season, that level of productivity could see Rivera break out as he returns to Rising for the new campaign.

4. Pedro Guimaraes, Orange County SC

Orange County SC has become a landing spot for bright young talent aiming to take their games to the next level for years, and in United States U-17 international Pedro Guimaraes the club has another standout prospect in its ranks. The 17-year-old full back put together a breakout 2025 season which saw him record two goals and one assist in league play across 1,258 minutes of action while winning 18 tackles at a 69.2 percent success rate, and also notch another pair of goals in the club’s USL Jägermeister Cup campaign.

Due to call-ups – including earning a starting spot in the United States U-17s lineup at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November – Guimaraes could have seen more minutes in the past campaign, but he still broke into the Top 30 among full backs with a +2.34 Goals Added mark per American Soccer Analysis. Scale that to a full season of minutes, and he’d be knocking on the door of the top 10, a big reason to watch next year.

3. Daniel Flores, Phoenix Rising FC

Arizona native Daniel Flores joined Phoenix Rising on loan late last season, a deal that was extended into 2026, and across six appearances made a limited impact on the club’s overall fortunes. Why does he rank this high in the list, then? Because the 22-year-old’s pedigree coming in from Chivas de Guadalajara speaks to his potential quality and why he could be an important figure for Phoenix in 2026.

Flores previously impressed for Real Monarchs SLC, competing for the side in the Championship in 2021 when he recorded 19 appearances and won 61 duels at a 54.5 percent success rate and 19 tackles at a 57.6 percent success rate. As part of Phoenix’s broader youth movement, Flores should be one to watch next season.

2. Ramiz Hamouda, Birmingham Legion FC

Since making his debut for Legion as a 15-year-old in the 2023 season, there’s been a spotlight on talented young center back Ramiz Hamouda. That has continued to grow this year, with his performances for the United States U-17 Men’s National Team and in a challenging season for Legion maintaining his position as one of the top defensive prospects in the United States.

Prior to joining Pedro Guimaraes in the United States U-17s squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November, Hamouda has made 28 appearances for Legion and logged 1,467 minutes, winning 84 duels at a 56.8 percent success rate and 23 tackles at a 67.7 percent success rate. The left-footer has also shown his ability on the ball and could be poised for a breakout in Head Coach Mark Briggs’ retooled squad next year.

1. Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

There shouldn’t really be a question as to who was going to come out as No. 1 in this list, with the 2025 USL Championship Young Player of the Year coming off his best season yet for Loudoun United to not only earn the award but catch the attention of the broader soccer community. The 21-year-old’s 12 goals more than doubled his previous single-season best, and he was unlucky not to record more than two assists with 35 chances created adding up to a 3.79 Expected Assists mark on the campaign.

Overall, Aboukoura has now recorded 21 goals and six assists in 3,768 minutes of action for Loudoun United – an average of 0.88 goal contributions per 90 minutes – and with his continued progression on both sides of the ball could be the next player to make the jump to a higher level.