Jonathan Gomez. Mark Anthony Kaye. Kobi Henry. Diego Luna. Sam Rogers. Increasingly, the USL Championship and USL League One have become prominent sources of talent in the global and domestic transfer markets. The names above have found success or shown great potential, but they cultivated their games in the first place within the USL.
Who's next? Josh Wynder seems likely to earn a transfer fee approaching two million dollars, but the second and third tiers are rife with up-and-comers. Here, I want to highlight a range of USL prospects. Some of these players will be vital in league playoff races; others have the potential to burst onto the international stage in the near future. All deserve notice and appreciation.
Korede Osundina, FW
Orange County SC
18-year-old Korede Osundina made his professional debut with Orange County last season and earned 19 appearances in the USL Championship, accounting well for himself as a winger and forward. Still, his brightest flashes have come with the U.S. Youth National Teams, as evidenced by his recent U-20 callup.
What makes Osundina special? His versatility as a crafty winger or unselfish central player show an advanced understanding at a young age. While Osundina's touch can be inconsistent, he has real moments of ingenuity and cleverness whenever he receives the ball. Even if the Orange County player doesn't develop into a plus finisher, he has the tools of a creative cog in a high-end attack.
Fidel Barajas, AM
Charleston Battery
With more than a dozen appearances between the U.S. and Mexico U-17s, Fidel Barajas looks likely to follow a long line of passionately recruited dual-national starlets. Already, Barajas has made his professional debut and garnered two assists for the Charleston Battery, and his profile is on the rise amidst that club's impressive rebuild effort.
Somewhat tilted toward his left foot, Barajas has room to grow within his 5'9" frame. Already, he is absolutely fearless taking on opponents on the dribble, where his instant acceleration pays dividends. Whether whipping in crosses as a true left winger or providing the skills of a latter-day Robben while inverted at right, Barajas is wildly comfortable against grown adults.
Luca Sowinski, AM
FC Tulsa
One of many rising stars developed in a stateside Barca Academy - Korede Osundina amongst them - Luca Sowinski announced himself to the USL with a Player of the Week nod late in 2022 after banging home a hat trick in October. The 18-year-old represents the cream of a four- or five-deep crop of FC Tulsa prospects that debuted last year, and he'll get an honest chance at minutes in 2023.
Sowinski isn't a speedster or battering ram, but his sense for space and movement is impeccable. The no. 10 is adept slinking behind his teammates' runs or cutting against defenders' momentum. His decisions on the ball are brisk and can grease the wheels of a high-tempo attack; his finishing and distribution remain startingly effective at odd and tight angles.
Ray Serrano, AM
Louisville City
Most of the players in this list fall neatly into the category of "unsung linchpin" or "ascendent prospect," but Ray Serrano fits both bills. The ex-Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Defiance man made more than 50 USL appearances as a wingback and winger before moving to Louisville City, and he served admirably as a spot player on the right for the Eastern Conference champions. Serrano also has more than a dozen U.S. U-17 caps.
In his debut season in Kentucky, the Washington native nearly put up a goal contribution in any other game. Manager Danny Cruz rightly recognized the teenager as a Swiss Army knife; he played as a wingback in a back-three system, a true no. 7, and even a surprisingly effective box-to-box centerman. Serrano is due for a successful future no matter what, but the question is whether he inherits Brian Ownby's role as Louisville's talisman or moves on to a grander stage.
Matthew Corcoran, CM
Birmingham Legion
The second-youngest player spotlighted here, Matthew Corcoran is only 16 years old yet already displays a hugely impressive passing range. Debuting in USL League One at just 15, the Texan came up through the vaunted FC Dallas Academy and spent time with North Texas SC, a tried-and-true source of USL contributors. He may be in line for minutes as soon as this season given Birmingham's decision to part with two of his central peers.
Corcoran's game is defined by poise. Mainly operating as a deep-lying creator, the Legion prospect dictates possession and quarterbacks build-out with patience and a varied distributional arsenal. Though a shade raw and passive in a defensive sense, Corcoran has plenty of room to grow. As he gains comfort and develops with age, I expect him to earn more regular minutes as a no. 8 or string-pulling no. 10 that punishes defenses on the regular.
Conor McGlynn, CM
Hartford Athletic
Tab Ramos' tenure with Hartford Athletic will begin in earnest this March, and his first offseason has been defined by exciting attacking additions. Their ability to excel and prevent a three-year playoff drought will depend on Conor McGlynn in the defensive midfield. While his brother, Jack McGlynn of the Philadelphia Union, catches more headlines, Conor is every bit as crucial to his own club side. He's the definition of an unsung USL hero.
McGlynn is as classic a no. 6 as there is. He's ruthlessly clean as a metronomic, possession-enabling passer, always strong at reading a game situation. He simply knows when to reset a move or when to push the envelope with a line-breaking ball. Still, McGlynn's best moments come defensively. The Hartford midfielder has a sixth sense in stemming counterattacks, and his skillset will be all-important in the Ramos 4-1-4-1.
Tate Johnson, FB
Tampa Bay Rowdies
As one of the two titans of the USL Championship's Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Rowdies don't throw minutes to a player just for development's sake. If someone isn't ready, Neill Collins won't give them time, which made 17-year-old Tate Johnson's late season participation for the Rowdies that much more exceptional.
Johnson is a fullback oozing with offensive verve. Left-footed, he boasts a clean cross off his strong side and a keen understanding for bend and loft. His underlaps are knife-sharp and timely as well, but Johnson isn't one to abdicate responsibility in a defense-first side. Indeed, his pace at full stride renders him effective at tracking back. Johnson looked confident leaping from a local Tampa-area academy to the professional ranks, and his future will be exciting.
Jake Dengler, CB
South Georgia Tormenta
In his first season in the USL, 23-year-old Jake Dengler couldn't have fared much better. His South Georgia Tormenta side took home the League One title, and Dengler himself was rightly awarded with second-team all-league recognition. He and centerback partner Josh Phelps led their side to the championship, and it's a coup for Tormenta that they've retained Dengler's services this offseason.
A veteran of NISA's Maryland Bobcats, Dengler stands out as a do-everything cog in the Tormenta machine. An incoming cross? He's first to head it away. His left back partner is beaten? The centerback is mobile and reactive enough to step over and crunch an opponent with the brunt of his 6'5" frame. Dengler even contributes to a pragmatic system with his precise and direct passing. If we saw a League One-to-MLS move, Dengler would be my candidate.
Arturo Ordonez, CB
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Bob Lilley's modus operandi as a manager has always centered around turning diamonds in the rough into the spine of playoff teams, and 25-year-old University of Pittsburgh alumnus Arturo Ordonez is his latest find. The rookie started 31 games in the USL's most complex, variable tactical system and never once looked off the pace. Whether operating as the centermost defender in a trio or on the right in a back four, the Spaniard shone.
Ordonez's composure in rotation is noteworthy. He took on roving "centerfielders" duties and ably covered behind flanking centerbacks that were liberated to dribble on the ball. Meanwhile, the Riverhound was equally sound in his own box. As Lilley reshapes his team in a major way for 2023, Ordonez will be the bedrock of the team's successes and a crucial building block for a new-look side.
Jonathan Ricketts, FB
Rio Grande Valley FC
Two years and two playoff berths into Wilmer Cabrera's second tenure with Rio Grande Valley FC, no team in the second division is as consistently slept on. Right back Jonathan Ricketts fits the same bill, excelling as one of the most complete players in the USL Championship after two strong seasons with the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Retained as a key piece for Cabrera in 2023, Ricketts ought to step into the spotlight.
The Chattanooga native necessarily takes on a conservative base position in the Toros' system, and he may be the best pure defender at right back across the USL. Whether standing up an attacker stone-cold or tucking narrow as a proxy centerback, Ricketts is stout. Offensively, his timing is pristine for a counter-dependent unit. Ricketts' deep crossing and overloading late runs power his team, and they'll continue to do so until he earns a bigger move.
Nicholas Holliday, GK
North Carolina FC
Having trained with the U.S. U-17s and appeared in more than a dozen matches for North Carolina FC at just 17 years old, Nick Holliday earned the chance to train with Fortuna Dusseldorf of 2. Bundesliga this offseason. He may well stake his claim to the full starting job in Cary for 2023, having become a regular fixture in his league's save-of-the-week competitions.
Holliday's speed on his goal line is his standout trait. The 6'1" netminder is a good shot-stopper for his age, but his ability to cover the gap from one post to another in an instant sets him apart. North Carolina allowed more goals than any other team in USL League One last season, but Holliday took his lumps and lit up highlight reels for a reason. He also ably manned offensive build-out reliant on grounded, low goal kicks. The USL has been more effective producing field players than goalkeepers, but Holliday is the man to buck the trend.
Nate Miller, MGR
San Diego Loyal
Having joined the select group of coaches with a USSF Pro License and earned the top job with the San Diego Loyal, no manager in America is having as good a stretch as Nate Miller. Only 36 years old, the Midwesterner was Landon Donovan's lead assistant for three seasons, where he organized the club's technical aspects. Miller's success dated back to a second-place finish in 2019 with Lansing Ignite in USL League One, a campaign powered by Nick Moon, Tumi Moshobane, and Grant Stoneman; all three now play for the Loyal.
The manager's system is offensively potent and variable by phase; Miller often used a back three on the ball that could shell into a defensive 4-4-2. All the while, he showed philosophical growth by varying his passing patterns in 2023 to accomodate new signings. San Diego jumped to second place for his efforts. Now fully empowered, he stands out as a Coach of the Year favorite and leading candidate for bigger jobs down the line.
Ryan Martin, MGR
Loudoun United
I've long been the leading advocate of Loudoun United's upsides despite middling results, and Ryan Martin's management is the main reason why. Under his stead, the Virginian side has always adopted a positive approach founded upon pressure, swift offense, and a fun-to-watch style. DC United is never a titan in MLS, but Martin has consistently shown a penchant for player development.
While overseeing player personnel for his first-tier partner, Martin has quietly earned his badges and garnered a sterling reputation in the U.S. game. His scouting is second to none, and his manner of molding talent towards a particular style deserves regard. Will Loudoun be a titan while restricted by their affiliate status? Likely not. Does Martin's philosophy and talent maximize the team's ability to serve as a dark horse? Without a doubt.
Khano Smith, ASST
Birmingham Legion
I was remiss to include two representatives from any club, but Khano Smith deserves the managerial nod. He's left a clear mark as the main assistant to Tommy Soehn and the Birmingham Legion, and - much like Nate Miller - just received his USSF Pro License. Smith had a diverse playing career across stops in America, England, and Bermuda, and he's been a candidate for multiple USL coaching jobs already. His tactical nous, intellectual curiosity, and connection with players suits a head spot sooner rather than later, and that'll be step one on a ladder to the heights of the American game.