A busy week of action across the USL Championship and League One resulting in another collection of the top U-22 talent in both leagues make the most of the opportunity. Leading the way, a pair of academy products, one of whom helped deliver one of the results of the season so far with the other starring in a crucial road victory for his club.

Here are seven young standouts you should know after making a big impression for their clubs over the past seven days.

1. Finn Sundstrom, North Carolina FC

It speaks volumes to the level North Carolina FC’s Finn Sundstrom has been performing this season that the 18-year-old ranks fourth on the team in minutes played in the USL Championship this season, ahead of center backs of the caliber and experience of Conor Donovan and Paco Craig.

On Friday night, he added to his resume with his first goal in the professional ranks, heading home a set piece delivery by Mikey Maldonado shortly before halftime in NCFC’s 2-1 victory against Eastern Conference leader Louisville City at First Horizon Stadium.

It was part of a performance that saw Sundstrom win 5 of 5 aerial duels and record two blocked shots defensively while completing 26 of 30 passes, continuing to repay the faith Head Coach John Bradford has shown in him this year.

“I think it's massive,” said Bradford. “And I hope there’s young players in our club that are looking at Finn Sundstrom and saying, ‘This is the opportunity that he’s rewarded himself with, after many years at NCFC Youth and in the academy, and then coming into the first team.’

“[He’s] really starting to blossom, and I think he represents what our club pathway is trying to be, and he’s doing it in a great way. It’s really remarkable to see week in, week out, gain experience, gain insight in terms of how to play and really impact [the game]. So, credit to him.”

Sundstrom became the second-youngest player to score in the USL Championship for North Carolina aged 18 years, 213 days old, trailing only Julian Placias, who last year was transferred to KVC Westerlo in Belgium. Currently slated to compete collegiately for the University of North Carolina, the USL Academy signing continues to impress.

2. Ali Elmasnaouy, Oakland Roots SC

Last year, Ali Elmasnaouy grabbed the headlines for Roots as he scored the winner in extra time in the club’s U.S. Open Cup victory against El Farolito. Chances have been more sporadic this season for the Project 51O graduate, but on Saturday he was instrumental in Roots’ first win under new Head Coach Benny Feilhaber against Birmingham Legion FC.

Playing in central midfield, the 20-year-old linked play consistently as Roots gained a foothold in the contest, completing 32 of 36 passes overall including 8 of 10 in the attacking third of the field. He was also central to the pivotal moment of the game, breaking into space as a secondary runner before being picked out by Morey Doner and brought down for the penalty kick that Kai Greene converted for the 1-0 result. For an Oakland side in need of a lift, Elmasnaouy’s display was his best of the season so far.

3. Mamadou Dieng, Hartford Athletic

The Senegalese forward put together one of his best performances of the season on Friday night, scoring his third goal of the league campaign in Hartford’s 3-0 victory against Loudoun United while putting together an impressive all-around showing in a potential breakout performance for the side overall.

The 21-year-old – who a season ago bagged 11 goals to set a single-season club record for Athletic – scored the opening goal of the night at Trinity Health Stadium and was a handful for United’s back line. Dieng ended the night with four shots and a game-high four chances created, which also served as an individual single-game high in Championship play. As Athletic look to get back into the playoff race, Dieng is going to be a key ingredient to the side’s attacking performance.

4. Zeke Soto, Greenville Triumph SC

Since arriving on loan with Greenville from the Charleston Battery last month, Zeke Soto has logged regular minutes off the bench. This past Saturday, he notched his first goal to put the finishing touches to a 3-1 victory for Triumph against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC while putting together a tidy 27-minute performance at Paladin Stadium.

Trailing the play on the right side as Greenville built quickly through midfield, Soto held his position to allow for a well-delivered cross by Chapa Herrera from the left and headed home powerfully. The 18-year-old also completed 5 of 5 passes and made one recovery as he continued to build experience in League One.

5. Nighte Pickering, Las Vegas Lights FC

The United States youth international might only have made a cameo appearance for the Lights against Indy Eleven, but he made the most of it with his latest game-winner of the season. Left unattended on a late counterattack as two Indy defenders tried to cut down the angle on Stefan Stojanovic, Pickering received possession inside the penalty area and calmly shot home for his third goal of the campaign.

The 20-year-old FC Dallas product has primarily served as a back-up this season, but all three of his goals have been game-winners for the Lights, with Saturday’s finish his second in the 90th minute or later. While Johnny Rodriguez remains solid as the club’s starting No. 9, finding more opportunities for Pickering might be on the docket for interim Head Coach Giovanni Troise.

6. Steven Ramos, AV ALTA FC

Having made a late cameo in Antelope Valley’s victory against Westchester SC on June 15, 19-year-old Steven Ramos was handed his first start for the club against Portland Hearts of Pine on Saturday night and more than handled the occasion. Facing a challenging Hearts of Pine attack while playing at left back, Ramos won a game-high 10 of 19 duels and 2 of 4 tackles while completing 2 of 2 dribbles and recording one chance created and one shot.

AV ALTA has shown little reticence in giving young players opportunities in its inaugural season, with Ramos having previously suited up and performed well for the club’s USL Academy squad to earn his opportunity with the First Team. As one of five players aged 22 or under to see action for the side on Saturday, the local product will be worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

7. Collin Smith, Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising’s undefeated streak came to an end against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night, but Collin Smith’s performance alongside that of playmaker Hope Avayevu was one of the silver linings the side should have taken away from the game. The 21-year-old recorded a precise assist on Avayevu’s first-half goal, one of two chances created he recorded alongside completing 35 of 39 passes overall.

Smith also won 7 of 10 duels and his lone contested tackle of the game while recording one interception and four recoveries. Having bounced around since a good season on loan with Birmingham Legion FC in 2023, the Jacksonville, Fla. native has become a fixture in Rising’s back line this season, part of the club’s impressive youth movement.