Next Frank Lampard or Didier Drogba? The 24 youngsters to watch in MLS...
Thursday 6 October 2016 11:28, UK
Major League Soccer is bursting with household names such as Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard but beyond the star faces there's a crop of young, hungry players looking to make their name in America.
MLS journalists and experts have ranked the division's best 24 players under the age of 24, taking into account technical ability, physical attributes and 'soccer IQ' to draw up a hot-list of talent previously headed by Newcastle's DeAndre Yedlin.
From a prodigious English forward who's been receiving plenty of praise from Frank Lampard to the midfielder likened to Stoke's Joe Allen, we give you the lowdown on the youngsters to watch...
24. Cristian Roldan - Seattle Sounders
A combative central midfielder who excels in both boxes, USA U20 international Roldan has drawn praise for his tidy passing play, endurance and tough tackling. Aged 21 and into just the second season of his professional career, he's accumulated 30 appearances in 2016.
23. Tommy Redding - Orlando City
Labelled by Orlando City's former coach Adrian Heath as "a potential top, top defender in MLS" in July, the 19-year-old centre-back has shown to be more than capable of matching the physicality of the league and is comfortable with passing out from the back.
22. Sean Davis - New York Red Bulls
The 23-year-old box-to-box midfielder ranks third in the pecking order of New York Red Bulls midfielders. But recent performances, including an impressive August with two goals and two assists, has put the pressure on Dax McCarty and Felipe to perform. Davis' real breakthrough may happen during the play-offs, which start later this month.
21. Cristian Higuita - Orlando City
Considered one of best holding midfielders - and ball winners - in Major League Soccer, Higuita is one of the reasons why Kaka can have a free attacking role for Orlando. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with AC Milan in recent months and is on the fringes of Colombia's national team.
20. Matt Polster - Chicago Fire
Polster was drafted by Chicago in 2015 and finished the season third in the MLS Rookie of the Year award rankings. Despite an injury-hit 2016 campaign and a season where the Fire are struggling, Polster has still shown his strong passing ability and tireless work ethic across midfield.
19. Fatai Alashe - San Jose Earthquakes
A key central midfielder for San Jose, 22-year-old Alashe has a versatile skillset, which earned him a call up to Jurgen Klinsmann's USA squad in January before withdrawing due to injury. His athletic ability, intelligent passing play and eye for goal makes him a player held in high regard across the league.
18. Tim Parker - Vancouver Whitecaps
Just this season, Parker has worked his way up to becoming a starting centre-back for Vancouver and a member of USA U23s. The imposing defender made 15 appearances in his rookie season in 2015 but this term already has 26 matches under his belt.
17. Juan Agudelo - New England Revolution
A former Stoke City striker who didn't make an appearance for the club due to work permit reasons, Agudelo never reached the once expected level as "the next big thing" in US soccer, but he has still forged an impressive MLS career. Now with seven years of professional experience behind him, Agudelo has enjoyed an end-of-season burst of form, scoring three goals in the last five matches.
16. Jordan Allen - Real Salt Lake
A versatile midfielder adept at playing on either wing or centrally, Allen has struggled with injury throughout his short career. But the USA U20 winger has shown glimpses of quality during his time in the league, and could become one of MLS's brightest prospects should he find consistency.
15. Justen Glad - Real Salt Lake
Glad has started in every position across the defensive line with the only question mark over his physical presence. The 19-year-old currently weights 145 pounds but if he can bulk up, could develop his game yet further.
14. Luciano Acosta - D.C. United
A loanee from Boca Juniors, Acosta is one of Major League Soccer's most technically gifted players. The 22-year-old has three goals and ten assists in 30 appearances from a withdrawn forward position. Little surprise, then, that DC United are reportedly looking to sign the diminutive playmaker permanently.
13. Ronald Matarrita - New York City FC
The 22-year-old Costa Rica international has slotted nicely into Patrick Vieira's side at left-back, or occasionally on the left wing. His attacking runs from deep makes him a real threat in the final third of the pitch and is proven by his five assists.
12. Diego Fagundez - New England Revolution
Fagundez has already made 150 appearances in Major League Soccer aged just 21. The Uruguay youth international lacks consistency but has shown over the years his skill, pace and trickery from different attacking positions. Despite his tender age, Fagundez has still been able to score 32 goals and accumulate 23 assists through six professional seasons.
11. Walker Zimmerman - FC Dallas
FC Dallas have been the best team in Major League Soccer so far this season and Zimmerman has starred at centre-back. The 6ft 3 defender is one of the strongest aerial presences in the league, with Whoscored.com ranking him fourth in MLS for aerial duels won this season.
10. Lucas Melano - Portland Timbers
Speed and athleticism make Melano a dangerous winger for the MLS Cup champions. His end product can be questionable, but his intelligence on the ball and the timing of his runs make him a frequent threat.
9. Jesse Gonzalez - FC Dallas
Gonzalez started the season as the first choice goalkeeper for high fliers Dallas, and is in weekly direct competition for the starters spot with the vastly more experienced Chris Seitz. Aged just 21, Gonzalez is comfortably one of the best young goalkeepers in the league
8. Carlos Gruezo - FC Dallas
The Ecuador international traded Stuttgart for Dallas in January and has shown excellent technical and defensive ability to be considered one of the league's best young players. The fourth-youngest footballer at the 2014 World Cup, Gruezo looks to be one who slipped under the radar of numerous European clubs.
7. Wil Trapp - Columbus Crew
A homegrown American holding midfielder with a playing style similar to that of Joe Allen, Trapp has experienced a frustrating season at an underperforming Columbus, but has still shown his eye for a pass and ability to create from deep positions.
6. Keegan Rosenberry - Philadelphia Union
Rosenberry is already an MLS All-Star and was only drafted into the league this year. At right-back, he's played every minute of the season and has impressed in his defensive duties as well as going forward.
5. Kekuta Manneh - Vancouver Whitecaps
One of the fastest players in the league and a consistent winner of one-on-one duels, Manneh's finishing ability and decision-making in attacking areas has been criticised at times in the past but when on form, his quality is undeniable.
4. Kellyn Acosta - FC Dallas
Acosta stands out most from MLS's all-round central midfielders under the age of 24. As well as his shooting, passing and tackling ability, his pace makes him adept at playing out wide if needs be and he always covers plenty of ground. Acosta is already a US international and looks set to have a bright future with the national team.
3. Jordan Morris - Seattle Sounders
Before Morris had even set foot in Seattle before the start of this season, the hype in American soccer circles surrounding the 21-year-old was clear to see.
The US national team forward was capped while still at college and now leads the Sounders with 12 goals in 30 appearances in just his first professional season. His conversion rate in front of goal could still be improved, but he is undoubtedly one of USA soccer's great hopes for the future.
2. Jack Harrison - New York City
A former Manchester United academy product who moved to USA aged 14, Harrison has made an instant impact entering MLS as a rookie this season. Notably, he was the first ever player to be drafted into MLS from college in just his freshman year.
After strings of impressive performances, the winger has been tipped for a bright future by team-mate Lampard. "He's given us an edge on that right wing," Lampard told Empire of Soccer in July. "He's a huge part of the last few performances and he's got a great future because he's so young. He's got a good head on him so he'll go a long way."
1. Cyle Larin - Orlando City
The undisputed No 1 Larin was MLS's Rookie of the Year in 2015 after scoring 17 goals. This season, he's already on 14 goals in 30 appearances. The Canada international is an all-action striker standing tall at 6ft 2in.
Larin has reportedly attracted strong interest from Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Lazio as well as a host of Championship clubs. His link up play with Kaka has been a regular method to goals at Orlando and even Patrick Vieira has spoken of his admiration of the striker's qualities.
"I like him a lot," Vieira said of Larin. "He's a really mobile, athletic player who can play his back against the goal, who can score goals, he's a really interesting player."
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