Introducing the USL Championship's next wave of young stars
Which twenty-or-younger signings and academy graduates could break out in 2024?
The USL season is mere days away, and it’s set to be another landmark year in terms of youth development. If you’re reading my Substack, you know the headliners by now: creative titan Matthew Corcoran, FC Tulsa shuttler Nate Worth, Mexican youth star Adrian Pelayo. Still, plenty more stars-in-the making joined Championship clubs or positioned themselves to step up from the academy this winter.
Who’s flying below the radar with great upside in the season to come? I’ve got six picks to watch, and I want to look at the skills and opportunities for playing that make all six intriguing pieces.
The “Skillful Midfielder” Division
Giulio Doratiotto kicks off the clip above with a wonderfully precise long ball over the top, one that captures why he was a standout in the Juventus system and why he could be Phoenix Rising’s definitional addition this offseason. The 19-year-old Italian is best employed as a deep-lying creator, where his vision and passing range shine. He picked up three assists in 30 appearances for Juve’s U-19s before making his move, a very good clip for someone employed in a traditional No. 6’s position.
This year, Doratiotto will back up a spate of central midfielders in the Rising stable that fit more traditional box-to-box roles. Renzo Zambrano is a holder, Jose Hernandez shuttles back and forth, JP Scearce gives a bit more creativity upfield; none are as gifted at initiation as their teenaged teammate. The luxury of depth is that Doratiotto won’t be rushed into playing time out of desperation, but he has the potential to carve out starter-level minutes on talent alone. He brings a creative aspect that Phoenix didn’t have in their title run.
Rafael Jauregui is another 19-year-old standout, one who channels his energy further up the pitch. He joined the Sacramento Republic academy as a pre-teen before making the professional leap in 2020, and he’s appeared in 26 league games since then while averaging about 30 minutes per match. In the highlights, Jauregui’s bold mentality stands out. He’s a willing presser, one that’s built for the front line of the Republic 3-4-3. At the same time, his game is equally defined by off-balance and outside-of-the-boot through balls that are marks of progressive vision.
Sacramento lost key midfield options in the form of Keko and Matt LaGrassa this winter, opening a window for Jauregui to nail down more serious minutes. Keko’s absence is the obvious contributor, given his usage on the wing in a spot the youngster could occupy. Still, losing LaGrassa - more of a No. 6 or No. 8 - will force lineup shifts (e.g., Nick Ross and Rodrigo Lopez covering in the pivot) that ought to free up more time still. It’s all good news for the Sacramento native Jauregui , who seems poised for a glow-up in 2024; it’s a breakout that’s a long time coming.
The “I Can Barely Find Tape But I’m Excited” Division
Orange County SC never lacks for young stars, and Bryce Jamison is the latest prospect that they’re likely to move to Europe for a handsome fee. Joseph Buckley, an 18-year-old right back, could be next up. Signed out of the vaunted Barca Residency Academy - proving ground for Diego Luna, Korede Osundina, and Jamison - Buckley impressed at the USL Academy Cup over the winter. Only 5’6”, the defender isn’t afraid of a challenge and has good instincts for tucking inside to aid build-out.
This Orange County team hasn’t been shy in the market this winter, signing depth options across the left flank, in the central midfield, and at striker. Where they didn’t add is at Buckley’s right back spot. Owen Lambe, who missed the early stages of 2023 amidst injury, will be the nailed-on starter there without question, and he’s likely to hit the 2,500 minute mark at least, but there’s a real chance Buckley is Plan B on the depth chart, and that says something.
Ramiz Hamouda, a 15-year-old out of the Sporting Kansas City setup and a stud for the United States youth setup, is hard to pin down because he’s so darn young, but he’s got adult size at 6’3”. You see him in a wildly brief clip above out of the left-sided center back spot, scrambling with a long stride in recovery to rush a shot and deny a clean angle. Hamouda is considered one of the best defenders in his age group across the entire American pool, and he’s constantly making smart players; he isn’t just heft.
The Legion are all but certain to adopt a back three this season, and they’ve got three very good starters in the form of Alex Crognale, Phanuel Kavita, and AJ Paterson. Jake Rufe is the veteran option who can fill in as depth behind any of them, but Hamouda is next up after that. Even if he isn’t a regular in 2024 - which is cheating for this article, sue me - I fully expect him to get a smattering of minutes, and an unfortunate injury could necessitate even more. Hamouda may just be the heir to Josh Wynder’s throne as the next great USL defensive prospect.
The “Clemson Defender” Division
Clemson won the NCAA title last year, and two of their key players have made the jump up to the USL Championship. Pape Mar Boye, a 20-year-old center back who rejected a chance to be the #1 pick in the MLS Draft to join Phoenix Rising, is the star name. He’s got a wonderful sense of his physical frame, rarely throwing himself off balance and always remaining composed in the air and in the tackle. Most impressively, he’s confident and patient with the ball in a way that’s perfectly suited for the Rising system. You see the poise and positional intelligence above.
Admittedly, Phoenix is loaded at the back with five starter-level players, inclusive of Boye. Still, his athleticism and spark set him apart at the centermost spot in the back three. He played that role in college, and he has the gifts to excel in a similar deployment in the USL. Boye didn’t pass on an MLS deal just to sit, either. He surely isn’t guaranteed a spot, but Rising must’ve assured him that he could win minutes if he performs up to standards.
Shawn Smart, then, is the other Clemson player to sign in the pros. A 19-year-old right back or right wing back, Smart is a risk-taker in attack. He’s bright on the overlap and isn’t afraid of tight passing windows; he’s also willing to cut inside to throw off a defense. In his own half, the former Tiger is assured if unspectacular, but he is very good about recovering from the final third to shut down counters.
The full back ended up in Las Vegas, where the Lights are the blankest possible slate for an aspiring starter. Dennis Sanchez, the new manager in Sin City, brought in competition in the form of Joe Hafferty - who Sanchez worked with in Austin in MLS NEXT Pro - but Smart is good enough to claim a starting role. There’s also a possibility the Lights run a back three formation, in which case the wing back’s offensive instincts make him the much better choice in the eleven.
(Also, shout out to Mohamed Seye, who signed in Greenville! This is a Championship-heavy piece, but I can’t leave out Clemson guys. The Tigers also had Mathieu Brick, who sickos may remember from Atlanta United 2, on the roster.)
The Honorable Mentions
I straight-up think Nighte Pickering will win Memphis’ starting striker spot by summertime; his linking play combines with an impressive shooting range in a way that befits Stephen Glass’ tactical needs. Now 19, the forward appeared in 30 games last year and contributed to 30 goals.
A sneakier forward pick comes from Isaac Zuleta, who couldn’t settle into consistent minutes in New Mexico but, from what I’ve heard, tore up the preseason with Miami. He’s a product of the Getafe academy in Spain with double-digit appearances for Colombian national youth teams, and he could be a breakout.
Xavi Gnaulati felt a bit too settled-in somehow, but I love what he could bring for Monterey. After a few smashing successes in San Diego, he’s really the truest No. 10 in a team desperately in needed of a linker in the final third. Colorado Springs doesn’t lack at that spot, but 18-year-old Marco Rios (two goals and an Open Cup assist last year) has equally impressive upside.
Two more central midfield pieces: Carlos Moguel in Louisville, who’s way past the point of breaking out after being a starter for much of late 2023, and Luis Moreno in El Paso, who projects as being similarly clean at the No. 6 spot but is probably a year away as a 17-year-old.
Angel Bernal, a right back for FC Tulsa who actually got a goal in league play last year, could be due for some time. He’s likely Arthur Rogers’ back-up for the moment, but he brings flair in a way that you like for a putative super sub.
Duran Ferree is 100% too high-profile for this piece as a USYNT star and a possible MLS starter from day one for San Diego FC. He’s back on loan with Orange County and may not be the #1 in net, but I adore his confident passing on top of the shot-stopping chops.
That’s all folks! This is somehow the 100th post to appear on my Substack, so thanks to everyone that’s been along for the ride. I also just hit 500 subscribers as of yesterday, so thanks for that as well!
I’ll leave you now with some links to preview content for the Championship and League One ahead of Saturday.
My homies at League One Updater have a great power ranking that also introduces impact players for each club. Check that out alongside their week one previews.
I, of course, also have a jumbo-sized season preview for the Championship as well as preseason power rankings.
Nicholas Murray absolutely snapped on his preview posts for each conference on the league site. I was lucky enough to be able to contribute predicted lineups and tactical insights for each club to boot. Here’s the post for the East and the one for the West, respectively.
Want an audio experience? The USL Show has you covered, going team by team to break down the Championship. The League One version will be in your podcast player imminently.
Chat soon.