TAMPA, Fla. - The fifth edition of the USL Academy Finals is less than a month away. Since its launch in 2019, the USL Academy League and its tournaments have helped develop and launch the professional and collegiate careers of some of the brightest stars in the country. Here’s a look at where some previous tournament standouts are now in their careers.

Pro Players

Tate Johnson (Tampa Bay United)

15-year-old Tate Johnson helped lead Tampa Bay United to the U17 Boys’ Elite Championship at the 2021 USL Academy Cup. He followed that up with an All-Tournament Team worthy performance at the 2022 USL Academy Finals, as United won the competition. During that time, Johnson made his debut for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, logging over 100 minutes in the USL Championship and U.S. Open Cup before turning 18 years old. Johnson also appeared for Tampa Bay United in USL League Two.

The Tampa native played one season for the University of North Carolina in 2024, making 17 starts as the team qualified for the NCAA tournament. Johnson signed a Generation Adidas contract with MLS before being selected 15th overall by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. The defender logged just under 3,000 minutes between the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Canadian Championship, and MLS.

Bryce Jamison (Orange County SC) 

A former USL Youth player, Bryce Jamison made a name for himself at Barca Residency Academy in Arizona, earning a selection to the MLS Next All-Star team in 2022. Later that year, Jamison signed his first professional contract with Orange County SC in the USL Championship and made his professional debut a day later. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jamison has received multiple call ups to the U.S. Youth National Team, including joining the U17s for the 2023 U17 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia.

Jamison gained valuable minutes and experience playing for Orange County’s Academy team as he acclimated to the first team environment. After making the All-Tournament Team for the 2022 USL Academy Finals Showcase Division, Jamison got off to a sprinting start at the 2023 Finals for Orange County SC, scoring a hat trick in its 5-0 Round of 16 victory. The forward became one of four Orange County players named to the Finals All-Tournament Team and took home co-Golden Boot honors.

Ashton Miles (Orange County SC) 

Ashton Miles stood out in Orange County’s academy – not just because of his six-foot-two-inch frame, but his consistent composure on the ball and ability to stamp out danger were qualities that coaches love to see in young center backs. Miles captained the Orange County side that finished as the runner-up at the 2023 USL Academy Finals, where the Southern California native was named to the All-Tournament First Team.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Miles signed a professional contract with Orange County after logging seven appearances in the USL Championship on his Academy Contract, making him the first player to progress from the club’s academy team to the first team. Miles logged over 1,000 minutes in 2024 and 2025 with Orange County, who made the playoffs each season.

Anderson Holt (Union Omaha) 

Before signing professionally, soccer took Anderson Holt across the country and the world. At 15, the San Diego native helped New York based Queensboro FC II to the championship match of the 2022 USL Academy Finals. The defender then moved to Germany, participating in TalentProjekt which allowed him and other high-performing American youth players to compete against top Bundesliga academy teams.

In 2023, Holt signed an Academy Contract with USL League One side Union Omaha before making his professional debut for the club. Holt signed a professional contract with the Owls later in 2023 and has since been a key part of Omaha’s sharp defensive rotation, logging minutes in the U.S. Open Cup, USL Jägermeister Cup, and League One.

Joey Skinner (Charlotte Independence) 

Joey Skinner turned heads at the 2019 USL Academy Cup, anchoring the Charlotte Independence’s defense to allow just one goal in three games and none from open play. In 2020, Skinner continued to impress at the 2020 USL Academy Eastern Conference Event and eventually signed an Academy Contract, allowing him to earn minutes with the Independence’s first team in the USL Championship.

The defender went on to play two years of NCAA Division I soccer with UNC-Greensboro and Clemson University. During the summers, Skinner returned to Charlotte to play for the Independence II in USL League Two. Skinner was selected 11th overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Nashville SC. He was loaned to MLS Next Pro side Huntsville City FC where he logged over 3,000 minutes over two seasons, scoring five goals from his outside back position.

College Players

Palmer Ault (Indy Eleven) 

Palmer Ault was one of the leading players in Indy Eleven’s 2021 Academy Finals winning squad, which has spurred a near-dynasty for Indy in USL Academy tournaments. Ault had the final of three goals as the Eleven dispatched Queensboro FC 3-0. After his performance in Florida, Ault signed an Academy Contract with Indy Eleven ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season.

Ault played three years at Butler University, making an instant impact with 26 goal contributions in 19 games during his freshman season in 2022. He was named the unanimous Big East Freshman of the Year and included in the 2022 All-Big East First Team. He had two more strong seasons for the Bulldogs before getting drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. For his senior season, Ault transferred to Indiana University, and as the season winds down, he leads the nation in goals with 16 and was listed as the ninth best college soccer player on Top Drawer Soccer’s Midseason rankings.

Daniel Lugo (Tampa Bay United) 

From 2022 to 2023, it would be nearly impossible to attend a USL Academy tournament and not hear Daniel Lugo’s name. The Tampa Bay United frontman won the Golden Boot with five goals at the 2022 USL Academy Cup in April and then helped the club win the 2022 USL Academy Finals in November. The St. Petersburg native scored three goals at the 2023 USL Academy Cup, earning a selection on the Boys Best XI for the tournament.

Lugo spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of North Carolina before transferring to High Point University for the 2025 season. The forward currently ranks sixth in the nation with 13 goals for the Panthers through their conference tournament. He was placed at No. 31 on the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Ranking and included on the United Soccer Coaches Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List for the top player in NCAA Division I.

Nicholas Simmonds (Richmond Kickers)

Nicholas Simmonds is one of the shining stars from a brilliant Richmond Kickers Academy roster that has made waves at recent tournaments. Simmonds was signed to an Academy Contract with his hometown club in 2023, 20 years after his father, Gregory, played for the club. The forward scored in his professional debut in July 2023, making him the youngest goalscorer in Kickers’ history at 16 years, eight months, and 13 days old. He was named to the 2024 USL Academy Finals All-Tournament First Team, helping Richmond place fourth in the competition.

Simmonds joined the University of Virginia for his freshman year and has been an instant impact player and was recently honored as the 2025 ACC Freshman of the Year. He’s scored 10 goals through 17 matches so far, including a late winner in the ACC Quarterfinals. Simmonds was one of two freshmen named to the 2025 Herman Trophy Midseason Watch List.

Dren Dobruna (Hartford Athletic) 

Dren Dobruna signed an Academy Contract with Hartford Athletic, allowing him to pick up over 100 minutes in the USL Championship before beginning his college career. Dobruna led his home state team to the 2023 USL Academy Cup,  and also took advantage of the opportunity to play for the Albanian U19 National Team at the Euro Qualifiers.

The defender began his college career at Sienna University, where he was named the 2024 MAAC Rookie of the Year and set the single-season program record with 10 assists. He transferred to Dayton University for his sophomore season. Dobruna is No. 57 on the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Rankings and has played nearly every minute so far for the Flyers.

Jefferson Amaya (Charlotte Independence) 

Jefferson Amaya was a key piece in the early days of Charlotte Independence’s USL Academy team. He was named to the 2021 USL Academy Finals All-Tournament First Team, as the Independence finished fourth in the tournament. In 2025, Amaya was a member of Charlotte Independence II in USL League Two, helping the team make its first playoff appearance.

The midfielder has put together a strong college career so far at High Point University, amassing at least double-digit goal contributions in each of his four seasons so far. The Charlotte-born player was noted as No. 26 on the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Rankings.

Jack Roman (Cleveland Force SC)

Jack Roman was a part of the Cleveland Force SC squad for the 2023 and 2024 USL Academy Cup tournaments. In 2024, Roman was a captain for the squad that captured the trophy in the tournament’s U20 Premier Division. The Ohio native also played for Cleveland Force’s USL League Two team in 2024 and joined the Flint City Bucks in 2025.

The midfielder plays for the University of Akron and has five goals and four assists so far during his sophomore season. Roman’s strong start to the season with the Zips earned him No. 71 on the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason rankings.