SEATTLE, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance has landed two players on the USL’s annual 20 Under 20 list, which ranks the best players in the league at or under 20 years of age. Through their contributions in USL play, Sounders FC First Team players Danny Leyva and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez have been recognized as two of the league’s most talented young players. Leyva came in eighth place in the voting, while Ocampo-Chavez landed at No. 17. Votes were cast by the league’s coaches and technical staff members.
Leyva, 16, has made 12 appearances and 10 starts for Tacoma this season, recording six shots in 889 minutes. Last season, he became the second-youngest player in USL Championship history to start a game at 15 years old. Leyva was named to the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 Championship’s Best XI after leading his side to the final and a place in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup this month in Brazil. The central midfielder also became the youngest signing in Sounders FC history when he was signed as a Homegrown Player at 15 years and 339 days old.
Ocampo-Chavez, 17, ranks tied for second on Tacoma’s roster with five goals in 15 games played this season. The striker won the Golden Boot at the 2018-19 Generation adidas Cup Champions Division and has been one of the leading scorers for the United States U-17 National Team. Ocampo-Chavez became the 13th Homegrown Player signing for Sounders FC when he was signed to a First Team contract on May 1, 2019.
Tacoma Defiance returns to action this Saturday, October 5 at Fresno FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and the match will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
