Each week during the 2024 MLS season, Soccer America is selecting the three young American stars of the week, under-23 players (born on or after Jan. 1, 2001) who stood out over the previous week.
Week Feb. 26-March 3:
1. Kristian Fletcher (D.C. United), 5 pts. The 18-year-old forward, fresh off a productive loan spell in the offseason with Swansea City’s U-21s, scored his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute to earn United a 2-2 tie at Portland after it had trailed 2-0.
2. Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), 3 pts. The 20-year-old playmaker picked up his first assist of the season in the 3-0 win over LAFC, taking a lofted ball from Chicho Arango and playing it backwards to Andres Gomez, who scored his second goal of the match.
3. Josh Atencio (Seattle), 1 pt. The Sounders played to a 0-0 tie with Austin FC despite finishing with a 22-2 edge in shots. Atencio anchored the young Seattle midfield, finishing with six shots, including a header keeper Brad Stuver did well to punch away.