We’re weeks away from the USL unveiling its all-league teams, mostly including veteran players with a track record of success. Still, the 2025 season has put the spotlight on younger stars across the Championship and League One that deserve their moment in the sun. Which standouts would make a U-21 version of an all-USL team?
Due to that age limit, only players born in or after 2004 are eligible. I’m also excluding loanees (sorry to Santiago Suarez and Jack Panayotou) and players that left the USL midsession (a la Mamadou Dieng). Without further ado, let’s get to it.
Striker: Adewale Obalola, Hartford Athletic
With five goal contributions in roughly 1,200 minutes across all competitions, Adewale Obalola doesn’t profile like your typical striker. Really, it’s his movement without the ball that stands out. The 20-year-old typically starts as Hartford’s primary No. 9, where he uses his premium speed to drag defenses out of shape in possession and harry opponents in the press.
Often, you’ll see Obalola hew right to accommodate Michee Ngalina up the opposite wing. As a result, he’s attempting roughly two crosses per match and ranks as a top-third dribbler among Championship forwards. His role as a defense-heavy attacker stands out, too; Obalola puts in vastly more tackles per match (1.89) than shots (0.79). Because of his youth, Obalola is often subbed out in second halves, but he’s the sort of player that tires a defense out whenever he’s on the pitch.
