The opening round of the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup gave a wide range of young talent the opportunity to shine as some clubs elected to rotate their lineups while others continued to push their talented U-22 players front and center.

Here are seven young talents who grabbed the spotlight over the past weekend, including a sparkling debut for a familiar face making his return to the league in a new location for the 2025 season.

Jack Panayotou, Hartford Athletic – The 20-year-old could hardly have had a better debut for Hartford in the side’s victory against Portland Hearts of Pine.

The New England Revolution loanee scored both goals for Athletic at Trinity Health Stadium, but the way he was able to connect with his new teammates was the piece that stood out most from his performance, completing 20 of 20 passes and one chance created.

The chemistry between Panayotou and Samuel Careaga – who also completed 51 of 53 passes and had one assist on two chances created – saw Hartford look the sharpest it has in the attacking third this season, a good portent for things to come as the side looks to break out after a slow start to the season.

“He was phenomenal,” said Athletic Head Coach Brendan Burke. “Fluidity [is] a good word for it, especially when we build through [Samuel Careaga] and Jack. We talked about it before the game, getting the ball to their feet, and in a very calm, deliberate way they do well to free themselves and find space. They’re both excellent passers and guys that can unlock a team.”

Panayotou’s second yellow card was the only blemish on the day – it means he’d currently be slated to be absent for the side’s USL Jägermeister Cup against Westchester SC on May 31, but be available for what set up as key group-stage games against Detroit City and Rhode Island FC to follow. After posting 2.7 chances created per 90 minutes on loan with Rhode Island a season ago, the Massachusetts native looks ready to take another step forward.

Luis Álvarez, Charlotte Independence – The League One All-League selection a season ago has continued to shine this season for the Independence, and Álvarez delivered another impressive display as the side took victory on the road against the USL Championship’s North Carolina FC on Friday night to kick off its USL Jägermeister Cup campaign.

The 22-year-old’s overall numbers were good – he completed 26 of 30 passes and had one chances created – but it was his inventiveness that shone in helping the Independence cement their early lead at First Horizon Stadium. Álvarez’s shift and flicked pass bisecting two defenders near the touchline to release Bachir Ndiaye into the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick Álvarez coolly converted, was an illustration of the imagination he brings to the field as one of Charlotte’s key figures.

Blake Willey, Sacramento Republic FC – Willey continued to impress as he retained his spot in the center of midfield for Republic FC’s 1-0 victory against AV ALTA FC at Heart Health Park on Saturday night, serving as one of the most active players on the field as Republic FC kept the pressure on their guests in the interleague clash.

Willey tied for the team-high with seven duels won – winning 7 of 9 overall – and ranked third in touches (58) as he combined with veteran Rodrigo Lopez to keep Sacramento on the front foot. The 18-year-old also recorded six recoveries and completed 35 of 44 passes as his stock continued to rise.

Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC – Another week, another goal contribution for Aboukoura, who delivered a beautiful free kick in second-half stoppage time to set up Joshua Erlandson for his first professional goal and the game-winner in United’s 1-0 victory against Lexington SC to open its USL Jägermeister Cup campaign.

In a tightly-fought contest that saw Lexington limit Loudoun’s clear looks at goal, the 20-year-old completed only 2 of 6 dribbles – which still stood as the most by an individual player in the match – and 23 of 30 passes as he tried to combine with left back Pedro Santos and central playmaker Florian Valot to try and unlock the Lexington back line. In the end, Aboukoura’s quality set up his side’s late winner for his second assist across all competitions this season.

Ramiz Hamouda, Birmingham Legion FC – Hamouda delivered another composed display at the back for Legion as it took a 3-1 victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Protective Stadium on Sunday evening as his quality on the ball continued to shine through.

The 16-year-old U.S. youth international completed 75 of 72 passes in his performance, the most of any player in the contest, helping Legion build out of the back line through holding midfielders Enzo Martinez and Kobe Hernandez-Foster. He was solid defensively for the hosts, winning 5 of 7 duels – including 3 of 4 aerial duels – as Legion dictated the tempo for much of the game, holding almost 70 percent of possession.

Reid Valentine, Texoma FC – There have been growing pains for Texoma FC in its inaugural season, but on Saturday night its pair of 19-year-old center backs in Valentine and Patrick Staszewski put in a strong display as the hosts held the USL Championship’s El Paso Locomotive FC to a scoreless draw through 90 minutes before falling in a penalty shootout.

Valentine in particular delivered, winning 2 of 3 tackles and 5 of 7 duels while making two interceptions, two recoveries and five clearances as Texoma limited El Paso to only one shot inside the penalty area during regulation. Having elected to turn pro over heading to Furman University to compete collegiately, the Dallas native will be aiming for more performances like this to help push Texoma forward in League One.

Alhassan Alhassan, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC – Arriving with the Red Wolves in late March, the Ghanaian U-20 international has already started to make an impact for his new club and coming off the bench against Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday evening the potential Alhassan has was on show again.

Coming on with 18 minutes to play, the 19-year-old hit the woodwork with in the 82nd minute as he received possession on the left flank and drifted past a pair of defenders before firing a shot from 25 yards off the left post. He then set up Eric Kinzner’s late close-range consolation goal in the 3-1 defeat, making an argument for more starting minutes in the future.