The 2022 USL Championship season begins this weekend, as the professional league gears up for a new season.

Things look quite different for the league this season, with several MLS reserve sides jumping ship to form MLS Next Pro. Some sides that are run or owned by MLS teams remain for one more season.

What remains is that the USL Championship remains a platform for top talent to get professional exposure outside of MLS – which remains massive for growth and player development in the country.

And while there’s a big difference between training and getting minutes at a USL Championship side, it’s a valuable experience for the young players nevertheless. It’s also a chance for teams to build out rosters, and rely on youngsters in a pinch.

Ahead of this weekend’s USL Championship openers, here are some of the young players looking to make an impression in the 2022 season.