A new USL Championship season begins this weekend, as the league continues to grow and develop.

One of the most intriguing elements of the league has been the opportunities for young players. In the past year, young prospects have moved to both European clubs and teams in Major League Soccer.

With that push behind it, teams have made a push to bring in younger talent. That included players from MLS Academies, along with local standouts.

As the new season begins, here’s a look at some of the best young players to watch in the new season that are signed to pro contracts.

Isaiah Kaakoush, Phoenix Rising FC

A center back/holding midfielder, Kaakoush is one of the top U.S. prospects born in 2008. Only turning 16 this year, it will be interesting to see if he’s able to carve out playing time on a team as ambitious as Phoenix. He’s been able to get minutes early on in preseason, and time in midfield may not be out of his reach.

Marco Rios, Colorado Springs

The first player to sign a contract from the Colorado Springs youth setup, Rios is a midfielder that made a few appearances in 2023 in league play. He’ll turn 19 at the end of the year and can stake his claim on regular minutes 

Etsgar Cruz, Oakland Roots

A longtime member of the Roots organization, Cruz signed with Oakland at the end of 2023. The forward from Modesto made his USLC debut last summer after he excelled playing against older competition in USL League Two.

Blake Willey, Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento has been aggressive about promoting players and signing them from its robust academy. Da'vian Kimbrough made headlines signing at just 13 years old, and Chibuike Ukaegbu an extremely promising player in his own right. Willey signed in November and is a midfielder that should be able to battle his way onto matchday squads as the season progresses. He’s been in camp with the U.S. youth setup over the past two years and will look to keep that up.

Diego Sanchez, Indy Eleven

A technical and tidy midfielder that can handle the demands of tight spaces, adjusting to the physical demands of the league will be a big part of Sanchez’s minutes. He only signed a pro contract back in December 2023, and heads into the first season of his professional career looking to make an impact.

Benjamin Barjolo, Orange County SC

Originally from Atlanta, Barjolo moved from the MLS side to Orange County, eventually signing. He’s a talented, dynamic player that can play as a winger or outside back. Continuing to adjust to the professional and show the consistency that’s tough to come by at 17 will both be in focus for him this year. Bryce Jamison should be a starter from the opening day as well.

Matthew Corcoran, Birmingham Legion

Slightly older than some of the younger players, Corcoran was part of the first wave of MLS Academy talent that looked to start their careers in USL. A central midfielder that made the U.S. Under-17 World Cup team, he’s an extremely technical player that will need to show the appropriate level of dynamism to make a move to Europe. Getting into games regularly, even at just 18 years old, and showing that he can impact that game, are both elements worth watching as the new season begins.

Julian Placias, North Carolina FC 

Returnees to the USL Championship for this season, North Carolina jumped into the youth movement last year. After signing LAFC Academy midfielder Kyrome Lumsden, Placid and Adrian Pelayo joined the roster. Placias is arguably slightly more likely to feature, as he’ll add an attacking option from the bench.

Xavi Gnaulati, Monterey Bay FC

A central midfielder and former standout with the San Diego Surf, Gnaulati inked a pro contract with the San Diego Loyal, right before the team folded. A two-goal effort against Monterey Bay FC must have left a mark on the organization, as he moved there shortly after.

Nate Worth, FC Tulsa

Part of the MLS Academy-to-USL contingent, Worth is a midfielder from the Red Bulls Academy. He signed at the start of the 2023 season and did very well at the age of 16. Now a year older, he enters the new season with 17 appearances and almost 1,000 minutes last year under his belt. Taking a step forward isn’t out of the question as he eyes up the new campaign.