A strong domestic pyramid needs multiple levels of meaningful competition, providing opportunities for clubs to thrive but also affording young talents several points of entry into the professional game. The United Soccer League made a commitment to the development of prospects, having already facilitated their progression from the academy or early acquisition into transfers abroad. Abdellatif Aboukoura is enjoying a breakout season in the second tier of the American game, having increased his production
since making his debut in 2021. The 20-year-old Loudoun United winger currently competes for Egypt and has proven himself to be a dynamic progressor and streaky goal scorer, appearing to be in line for a move to Major League Soccer or elsewhere.
Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Aboukoura competed with Arlington Soccer Association before joining the D.C. United youth setup and began suiting up with the club’s reserve side, Loudoun United, in 2021 on an academy contract. During his first season, he made nine total USL Championship appearances and contributed two assists in matches against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Miami FC. In 2022, the attacker featured 13 times and registered four finishes and one helper, including his first in a 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II and a brace to eke out Phoenix Rising, 4-3. The manager praised him as a “fearless kid” who “doesn’t back down from anybody, has composure, and has the ability to play with and for the team.”
The following year was spent attempting to secure a contract overseas, but trials with Sampdoria and Cremonese failed to lead to a deal and saw him return stateside. “For me to gain that experience and to train with high level players, players who had, right before, played in World Cups, or were getting ready for Euros or Copa Américas coming up, for me, that was an eye-opening experience,” Aboukoura shared with the official USL Championship website. “I was able to really understand what it takes to be a high-level player… Obviously, the dream is always to go play in Europe or to play at the next level.”
After D.C. United disconnected from Loudoun (they still retain a minority ownership stake), Aboukoura returned to the USL Championship side on another academy deal. Despite “dealing with some injuries,” he made 28 appearances across all competitions as a rotational starter and contributed five goals and one assist, being named to the Team of the Week for Weeks 16 and 17. The club signed him to a contract through 2026 with the option for another season; manager Ryan Martin praised him as a “very gifted attacking player who can unlock a defense with his one-on-one ability.”
Becoming “leaner and stronger” after spending the winter training in Dubai, this season has been a true breakout for Aboukoura, with 14 goals and two assists in 27 total matches, currently tied for fourth in the league’s scoring table. The USL Championship named him to the Team of the Week for Weeks 1, 4, and 10 while also selecting him as the Player of the Month for March, the youngest to receive the honor in league history. However, he has yet to score since the month of June, missed the past three fixtures, and is seeking greater consistency. Over the summer, Tom Bogert reported that clubs in Poland, Belgium, and MLS are “paying attention” to the young talent.
“I think one thing that always stood out for me is his love of the game and his ability and desire to improve,” said Martin. “Those are things that I think have been a constant through his journey. What I’ve really seen is he’s gone from moments of brilliance or moments of special goals or special things, to more consistency. He’s gone from a player that… can get five or so goals, to a guy that’s quite dependable right now. Our team wouldn’t be where we are today without him… I believe this is just a step on his journey, but we’re going to help him in every which way until he leaves us.”
At the international level, Aboukoura is eligible for the United States by birth and Egypt through his parents’ heritage. He received a youth call-up to the former nation but was unable to attend due to injury. In 2022, the attacker joined the latter program’s Under-20 team for training and a friendly and was on the Arab Cup U-20 roster a few months later.
Standing at five feet, seven inches tall, Aboukoura is a versatile left winger who can also line up on the right side and at several midfielder positions, displaying the “awareness and ability to outfox opposing defenders off the dribble.” Despite lacking “top-end speed,” he has a quick first step, “impressive” body control, and “elite ball-striking,” with the “composure to maintain precision despite the power behind [shots].” Coaches have worked with him on decision making, “playing off the pass,” and becoming better in the counter-press.
“Aboukoura has exclusively starred as a left winger this season, where he’s excelled in an inverted deployment,” wrote John Morrissey for USL Tactics. “Right-footed cuts inside have been his specialty… His ability to seek out open space and maximize his low center of gravity makes the winger a tremendous threat… Aboukoura brings that same level of drive and nous to the build-up phase… Increasingly, it’s his gravity without the ball that’s making defenses pay… Aboukoura is very good at scanning, deciding what the game state means for his next touch, and adjusting his body in turn… The key word amidst it all is ‘awareness.’ Aboukoura is aware of what’s behind him. He’s aware of what makes him a dangerous player and how defenses are coached to approach him. He’s aware of his teammates’ tendencies, and he can set the tempo accordingly.”
Aboukoura is impressing in the USL Championship but has reached an age at which he should begin to look for a different environment in which to further his development. The talented attacker will have options at both the club and international levels, as every organization seeks a player who can add to the scoreline with some measure of regularity, particularly from the wing. Whether his future lies with Egypt or involves making a return to the USMNT, his career should be one to watch, especially if his production continues at the next stop.
