When Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 announced on February 23 the signing of 15-year-old Alphonso Davies, it didn’t only make the Academy standout the youngest signing in USL history, it also foreshadowed what would be an outstanding year for young players in the USL as a whole.

After becoming the youngest goal-scorer in USL history against the LA Galaxy II in May, Davies then landed at the No. 8 position in the first edition of the USL 20 Under 20. Fellow Cascadia standout and U.S. U20 international Victor Mansaray of Seattle Sounders FC 2 claimed the top spot in the series that shone the spotlight on the league’s top players aged 20 and under.