One of the USL Championship’s standout performers this season returned to the spotlight, leading a collection of familiar U-22 faces that featured prominently in both the USL-C and USL League One during Week 30 of the season as the race for the postseason continued to build.

Here are seven young standouts you should know after impressive performances over the past seven days.

Want to learn more about the young homegrowns in the USL Championship and League One? Check out the Crystal Geyser USL Academy to Pro Tracker on USL-Academy.com.

1. Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

Since a blazing start to the season, Abdellatif Aboukoura has cooled off a little in the attacking third over the second half of the season. On Sunday evening, though, he reminded everyone why he’s one of the USL Championship’s most highly-regarded young talents.

Brought on as a substitute just before the hour-mark moments after the visiting Tampa Bay Rowdies had taken the lead at Segra Field, Aboukoura helped turn the game back in the favor of Loudoun United on the way to a 2-2 draw that moved the side another step closer to its first trip to the USL Championship Playoffs.

Aboukoura probed regularly at the Rowdies’ back line, and while it wasn’t always successful as he completed 2 of 7 dribbles overall, it helped Loudoun push back into the game. That pressure told in the final minute when the hosts earned a penalty kick that Aboukoura calmly slotted home for his 12th goal of the season.

The 20-year-old wasn’t done there. Five minutes later his delivery from a corner kick found Garrison Tubbs for a headed finish, one of four chances created Aboukoura notched in his time on the field. The Rowdies quickly rallied to level, but not before Loudoun’s young star had made his mark.

“I was proud of the guys for really pushing the tempo and finding those two late goals,” said Loudoun Head Coach Ryan Martin. “Our mentality has been strong as we make this push for the playoffs. There is a lot of belief in our group, and we believe the best is yet to come.”

2. Carlos Moguel Jr., New Mexico United

When Carlos Moguel Jr. arrived at New Mexico United on loan from fellow USL Championship side Louisville City FC, it was with side-by-side intentions. First, help United push for the postseason in the West while also getting consistent minutes after proving the odd man out in LouCity’s midfield rotation so far this season.

Last Wednesday night, the 22-year-old delivered a key moment in a tremendous week for United that helped push the side into third place in the Western Conference. Coming on as a late second-half substitute on the road against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Moguel took little time to make an impact, taking a pass from Mukwelle Akale outside the penalty area are lacing home a finish to the top-right corner of the net that proved the winner in United’s 2-1 victory at Weidner Field.

“What a great strike by Carlos,” said United Head Coach Dennis Sanchez. “He comes in and immediately changes the game, tells you everything about him.”

Moguel had a solid week across United’s two games overall, completing 15 of 18 passes and making one recovery while serving as a substitute in both the side’s victories. He could have a key role to play as New Mexico looks for postseason success in November.

3. Finn Sundstrom, North Carolina FC

As impressive as Finn Sundstrom has been defensively for North Carolina FC this season – as he was again with a solid performance in his side’s 1-0 victory at home to Miami FC – every once in a while we’re reminded that he used to be a more attacking player.

On Friday night we got another example. Receiving the ball as NCFC recycled possession after an attack, Sundstrom took the opportunity to step forward, weaving past two opponents before laying a pass off outside the penalty area. The 18-year-old then offered for a return pass with a run into the right side of the box – an option that was eschewed by teammate Ahmad Al-Qaq as the attack petered out – before returning to his defensive duties.

Sundstrom completed 39 of 44 passes on the night while winning 2 of 2 ground duels and recorded three blocks, three clearances and one interception defensively. That he led all players with two successful dribbles in the game stood out, however, as to the sort of ceiling Sundstrom could possess.

4. Xavi Gnaulati, Monterey Bay FC

More than two months since it had last earned a victory, Monterey Bay FC walked off a winner on Saturday night with a remarkable 1-0 victory against NorCal rival Sacramento Republic FC at Cardinale Stadium, and Xavi Gnaulati was in the middle of it all.

The 20-year-old central midfielder was impressive for a second consecutive week, helping the hosts link play consistently against a strong Republic FC midfield while completing 28 of 32 passes, one of which helped tee up Adrian Rebollar’s game-winning goal with 19 minutes to play.

“Charly [Guzmán] cleared the lines and then we managed to win the first ball then Granny [Robinson] got the second ball, ball inside the Adrian, give to Xavi [Gnaulati], out to Tarik with a one-touch layoff for Adrian,” said MBFC Head Coach Jordan Stewart. “Yeah, it was a fantastic goal.”

Gnaulati’s connection with fellow young standout Tarik Scott – who provided the assist on Rebollar’s finish – and Rebollar himself was evident throughout the night. The San Diego native completed 23 of 24 passes in the final third to help Monterey Bay apply pressure while also notching two shots and two chances created.

In a game MBFC had to win to boost its playoff chances, Gnaulati came through impressively.

5. Bryce Jamison, Orange County SC

As the pressure rises in the playoff race for Orange County SC to be part of the postseason, Bryce Jamison is rising to the moment. On Saturday night, the 19-year-old winger notched his third assist of the season and also drew a second-half penalty kick to help his side earn a 2-2 draw against the Charleston Battery at Championship Soccer Stadium, keeping OCSC in position to reach the playoffs as it enters a busy final month of the regular season.

Jamison has now recorded goal contributions in three consecutive games, the first such sequence in his young career since arriving in Orange County late in the 2022 season. The United States youth international connected consistently with fellow young standout Pedro Guimaraes – the two completed a combined 12 passes to each other against Charleston – while using his speed to stretch the field.

That paid off just past the hour-mark when Guimaraes interception in midfield set OCSC on the attack, where Jamison’s angled run from the right flank behind the back line was picked out by Chris Hegardt, allowing Jamison to center for Ethan Zubak to put home a first-time finish. Then, with 15 minutes to go, Jamison’s pressure saw him turn possession over deep in the Battery’s end before he was brought down to earn the hosts a penalty kick that Zubak tucked away, capping another strong night for the young talent.

6. Zeke Soto, Greenville Triumph SC

Since his introduction into Triumph’s starting lineup two weeks ago against South Georgia Tormenta FC, Zeke Soto has grown into his role. On Saturday night as the side faced another must-win game in its pursuit of the postseason, the 18-year-old produced a well-rounded display that helped Greenville come away with a 1-0 road victory against Spokane Velocity FC for Triumph’s first consecutive wins since July.

Soto logged a season-high 76 minutes on the right side of midfield and connected possession well in addition to putting in a solid shift defensively. He completed 20 of 25 passes – both individual highs – to help the side retain possession while completing 7 of 8 passes in the final third. The Charleston Battery loanee also notched one shot on target and won 2 of 3 ground duels while making two recoveries and winning his lone contested tackle to help Greenville to a crucial three points.

7. Beckett Howell, Richmond Kickers

If there’s been any silver lining for the Richmond Kickers over their recent four-game losing streak, it might have been the play of Academy product Beckett Howell, who was a bright spot again despite the side’s 4-2 defeat against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday night dimmed its playoff hopes further.

Coming on as a halftime substitute with the side facing a two-goal deficit, the 20-year-old produced a bright second-half performance that saw him provide the assist on fellow substitute Joshua Kirkland’s goal with 18 minutes to go that made it a one-goal game. Howell recorded two chances created overall while completing 22 of 24 passes and winning 2 of 2 ground duels and one tackle as he slotted into the left side of the back line.

Howell has recorded assists in his past two appearances, also providing a helper in the side’s 5-2 loss at Portland Hearts of Pine in Week 29 while completing 22 of 26 passes and notching a pair of chances created. The playoffs may not be in Richmond’s future this season, but Howell is one to watch over the coming month and into next year.