With 15 games across five days, the USL Championship had no shortage of action as the season neared its midway point in Week 16. Among the standout performers were some of the league’s young stars, including a pair of youth internationals that led a comeback in South Florida on Saturday night and some stellar displays elsewhere.

Here’s our rundown of the U-22s who caught our eye this week.

Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC

Chances are if Abdellatif Aboukoura is on the scoresheet for Loudoun United, he’s produced something worth watching. Saturday night was no different as his superb half-volley began United’s comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Miami FC at FIU Stadium.

The Egypt U-20 international has notched three goals this season – you’ll remember his brilliant strike earlier this year – having notched four a couple of seasons ago when he first suited up as a USL Academy signing. Aboukoura broke onto the scene with a two-goal game against Phoenix Rising FC as Loudoun took a 4-3 win at Segra Field, but now he seems a solid fit either as a starter or off the bench. At 19 years old, he’s emerging as a good piece in Loudoun’s playoff push.

Riley Bidois, Loudoun United FC

After Aboukoura started Loudoun’s comeback early in the second half, New Zealand U-23 international Riley Bidois got in on the action with the equalizer for the visitors two minutes later. The goal was his second of the season as the 22-year-old continues to make a case for inclusion in his country’s side for this summer’s Men’s Soccer Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Bidois also notched one chance created and completed 14 of 18 passes overall while doing solid work defensively from the forward line, winning 2 of 2 tackles and 4 of 6 duels.

Thomas Camier, Oakland Roots SC

The talent coming through Oakland’s Project 51O second team is starting to show out regularly. Last Wednesday night, 19-year-old center back Thomas Camier impressed in Roots’ 2-1 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC. A native of France, Camier went the full 90 minutes and win 4 of 6 duels, completed 34 of 44 passes and recorded two interceptions and two clearances at Pioneer Stadium.

Ilya Alekseev, Oakland Roots SC

While Camier was holding down the back line, Roots also got a big contribution from 18-year-old forward Ilya Alekseev, who scored the decisive goal against Locomotive after coming on as a second-half substitute. The goal was Alekseev’s second goal this season after notching the equalizer against the Charleston Battery in March, and he also completed 5 of 5 passes in his 33 minutes of action.

Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Birmingham Legion FC

The former LA Galaxy Academy product has become an indispensable part of Legion’s lineup this season and put in another excellent display last Wednesday night in the side’s 3-0 victory against San Antonio FC. With Enzo Martinez having shifted forward having started the season alongside the 21-year-old in central midfield, Hernandez-Foster has become the do-it-all ball-winner and distributor that Birmingham needs.

Hernandez-Foster completed 49 of 58 passes overall against San Antonio – including 19 of 25 in the attacking third that included four chances created – and won 3 of 5 duels in a comfortable victory.

Owen Damm, FC Tulsa

It took a little time to get up to speed, but the past two weeks have seen Owen Damm find his level in his loan stint in Tulsa from Louisville City FC. The 20-year-old full back was solid in both the side’s midweek win against Miami FC and weekend draw against Sacramento Republic FC, winning eight duels and recording two interceptions and two clearances while completing 60 of 72 passes across 180 minutes while playing both left back and right back in alternating contests.

Rocco Ríos Novo, Phoenix Rising FC

Another week, another stellar shutout for Rocco Ríos Novo as Rising played to a scoreless draw with the Charleston Battery on Saturday night. The Argentine U-23 international notched four saves overall including a pair of outstanding second-half stops on Charleston’s Nick Markanich and Emilio Ycaza to keep the game scoreless. He’s now notched five shutouts this season in 16 appearances.