A new season full of new and old faces is upon us, as players across the country look to dominate against elite competition in the 2024 League Two season.

While there will be scores of strong players that will rise to stardom, we’ve tipped this list of 15 as players that may define the coming season with their play. This is your guide to the 2024 USL League Two Players to Watch:

Peter Kingston – F – Ballard FC

The 2023 League Two Final MVP is back for another season with the Bridges, and he looks stronger than ever. He’ll have a familiar supporting cast alongside him, but the technical specialist was one of the best players on the pitch in Ballard’s 1-0 Open Cup loss to USL League One side Spokane Velocity. His crosses and dead ball deliveries are always on point, and he finds ways to create space on the wing when receiving the ball to feet. He’s going to be one of the surefire superstars of the 2024 season.

Isaiah Chisolm – F – Lionsbridge FC

Another League Two finalist, the University of Kentucky striker is young, productive, and a prototypical target striker. He joined the Bridge midway through last season, limiting his output somewhat in some stellar performances. In 2024, though, he’s in Newport News from the jump, and this summer is a huge chance for the former US Youth International camp invitee to make his mark on the league.

JP Jordan – CM – Sarasota Paradise

The Paradise have been blessed with back-to-back seasons of imposing midfield superstars. After saying goodbye to Japanese sensation Hosei Kijima in 2023, JP Jordan steps into the Paradise team after climbing into the top 20 in League Two’s Top 50 Prospects list in 2023. Jordan is a cerebral, quick defensive midfielder that is singularly focused on winning the ball and maintaining it. He’s intelligent, does the dirty work, and will be a big reason why the Paradise get to have a lot of the ball in 2024.

Kameron Acito – CB – Manhattan SC

Acito is intelligent, consistent, and a strong passer – traits not usually found in central defenders that are only 20 years old. He was the 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year at Duke, and was a reserve for the US U20 team in a tournament in Mexico. One of the younger players on this list, Acito comes to Manhattan with pedigree, talent, and a huge chance to prove himself in a crowded Metropolitan division.

Moussa Ndiaye – CB/CDM – Vermont Green FC

Ndiaye led the Green in minutes played in 2023, and after strong performances in the 2024 US Open Cup, the Senegalese defensive midfielder seems poised to be one of the stars of the Eastern Conference with his ball-winning ability and control under pressure. He can play either in midfield or defense, and his aerial prowess combined with his smooth passing makes him a consistent presence for the Green.

Bo Cummins – FB – Albion SC Colorado

There’s a current power void in the Mountain Division with the departure of key players, and Bo Cummins is in a prime position to step up for Albion SC. He’s an elite athlete that will affect all phases of play in the wide areas, and will be a handful for anyone to try to keep up with. He’s direct, dangerous, and is getting more consistent with his crosses with each passing day.

Palmer Ault – F – Flint City Bucks

With the departure of Hugo Bacharach, it’s now time for a different Buck to step up and become the face of the team – it very well could be Palmer Ault. Ault was drafted by Colorado Rapids in 2023, but was able to return to Butler after making All-Big East Second Team last year. He finished the season at No. 48 on the Soccer Syndicate Top 50 Prospects List, and this slight winger will have a lot of trust from the Bucks staff from day one.

Arnau Farnos – F – Lane United

The Northwest division can never be accused of being short on wing talent. As a youth player, Farnos was a part of the FC Barcelona, Celta Vigo and Girona club systems at different points before making his way to the States. He played with 2023 League Two Player of the Year Logan Farrington at Oregon State last year, where he was an Honorable Mention on the All-Pac 12 team. He’s a winger that loves to attack directly, and he’ll cause a lot of problems for defenses in the PNW this year.

Nicholas Kaloukian – F – Cedar Stars Rush

Being a striker is about dominating brief moments when there’s a window of opportunity – few players do that in League Two quite like Nicholas Kaloukian. The Armenian youth international finds ways to get on the scoresheet even if it’s not quite his day and is an outright terror when it is. He’s strong, big, quick, and has the technical ability to finish consistently in one-on-one chances with a goalkeeper.

Samory Powder – RB – Hudson Valley Hammers

The 2022 League Two Player of the Year is back for more. In the 2022 season, he put out 12 goal involvements from the right back position, earning him enough votes to take the league’s top individual honor. He was called into the Trinidad and Tobago national team camp in 2023 ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and is starting to approach his athletic peak. There’s a great chance he does even better than the 2022 season he put out.

Jason Smith – GK – Reading United AC

The only goalkeeper on this list, Jason Smith has been one of the best goalkeepers of the last two seasons in League Two. He’s moving now from the Mountain Division to Reading United, where he’ll go up against more established clubs, including the continuation of the rivalry with Ocean City Nor’Easters. He rarely spills shots, likes to pass out of the back, and is the kind of modern goalkeeper that could fit well in any side.

Jonathon Stout – F – Midwest United

Stout has already had a stellar college career to this point. At Michigan State, he was named the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and in 2023, made the All-Big Ten First Team. His best attribute is his versatility – he can play in the half spaces or out wide, can burst past a defender or link up, and can put a cross in or shoot on goal. He’ll be a major factor in Midwest United’s season.

Noeh Hernandez – F – River Light FC

This 19-year-old winger is a senior international for Puerto Rico, playing all 90 minutes in an international friendly against Belize only a month ago. He provided an assist in a 6-1 win over Bahamas in the CONCACAF Nations League B before his 19th birthday, and was on the bench for the country’s Gold Cup qualifiers last June. His trajectory is rising quickly for Puerto Rico, and the 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year has the chance to break out in a very big way for River Light in 2024.