The 2021 season of Major League Soccer saw several young talents come out of their shells to lead their respective clubs to success.
Players like Ricardo Pepi and Daryl Dike gained international attention for their contribution on the pitch, while some others like David Ochoa were underrated and subsequently became immediate heroes.
These are the best young talents in Major League Soccer:
Club: DC United
Age: 17
Moses Nyeman rose from the DC United academy to the coveted first team roster.
His precision and dedication make him an exciting prospect for Hernán Losada, and he is on his way to becoming one of the most dynamic players to establish himself playing eight, at just 17 years old.
Club: Philadelphia Union
Age: twenty
He might have been perceived as just another player when the Philadelphia Union brought in Leon Flach from German FC St. Pauli, but his time on the field shows that he is not like the rest.
The USA youth international midfielder has been known to thrive on the defensive side, but his underrated skills when attacking make him a lethal weapon against any opponent. The 20-year-old started 31 games for the Union in 2021, helping them in the race to the playoffs.
Club: FC Dallas
Age: 18
The defender had a dream start to the 2021 season, following a winter loan to Bayern Munich. Upon his return to MLS, the youth player got along with sensation Ricardo Pepi.
Although FC Dallas finished the year 11th in the Western Conference, Che’s contributions on the field continue to inspire excitement for a possible transfer. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes the next FCD academy product heading overseas.
Club: DC United
Age: 18
Paredes made the leap in 2021, going from being an inadvertent youth squad to a fundamental part of DC United’s starting eleven under the command of Hernán Losada.
The left-back uses his creativity and speed to create chances for the blacks in the last third of the court. It’s already on the USMNT’s radar and will continue to realize its potential in 2022.
Club: Colorado Rapids
Age: twenty
The midfielder sparked success for the Colorado Rapids during the 2021 season, recording five goals and four assists in 32 games. He found his place, settling in as number eight during Colorado’s rise in the Western Conference standings.
The 20-year-old impressed audiences with his ability to cover ground and propel the team forward. This is just the beginning for him.
Club: New York Red Bulls
Age: twenty-one
It’s crazy to think that Casseres is still considered a young talent in MLS considering his long list of accomplishments. Now in his fourth season with the NY Red Bulls, Casseres shows that his offensive ability starting from the midfield works in his favor.
He scored some incredible goals throughout the 2021 season, adding six in total and four assists. Whether orchestrating the play or finding the net himself, the Red Bulls are a better team with the Venezuelan on the field.
Club: San Jose Earthquakes
Age: 17
Cade Cowell is hard to miss.
The 17-year-old had a great 2021 season for the San Jose Earthquakes, leaving little to the imagination as to what he is capable of accomplishing. His technical skills are best translated into the final third of the court, finding the spaces to leave his teammates with opportunities in front of the frame.
Cowell is on his way to becoming one of the best in the league.
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Age: 19
Each year, the LA Galaxy youth squad reaches higher heights in his promising career. Álvarez used his innate talent as a left-handed attacking midfielder to become a key figure for Greg Vanney in 2021.
At just 19 years old, Efraín also stands out as a rising talent for the Mexico National Team.
If the stats aren’t enough to convince you, Zlatan Ibrahimovic called him “the greatest talent in all of MLS” after playing with Alvarez in 2019. A huge compliment to receive.
Club: New York Red Bulls
Age: 18
Clark started his career on the right foot in 2020, scoring on his first team debut. His aggressive attacking style helped him secure a transfer from New York Red Bulls to UEFA Champions League RB Leipzig, following in the footsteps of Tyler Adams.
Clark often plays starting from midfield, but his position can vary when it is necessary to unbalance opposing defenses. Although the Minnesota native is heading to the German Bundesliga now that the 2021 MLS season has concluded, he cannot be forgotten.
Club: Atlanta United
Age: 19
George Bello is only 19 years old and is already in his fourth professional season with Atlanta United.
The offensive-minded left-back wasted no time demonstrating his skills to earn a starting role in Gonzalo Pineda’s squad, starting 26 regular-season games in 2021, notching one goal and three assists.
His ability to outmaneuver opponents and provoke dangerous plays caught the attention of USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, who made Bello an important part of the team during the Gold Cup final and the always pivotal qualifying rounds leading up to the Copa del Rey. World.
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Age: twenty
The LA Galaxy right back became a linchpin for Greg Vanney in rebuilding the five-time MLS Cup champions. He started in all 32 regular-season games for the California-based team, recording seven assists and 14 shots on goal.
His enthusiasm for the ball and his ability to provide quick assists on the go make him worthy of a spot on this list. Araujo has emerged as a promising talent slowly building his path to stardom.
Club: New York City FC
Age: twenty-one
James Sands continually proves that a stable midfielder can make a difference. His presence in the NYCFC midfield inspired the team to fight for the 2021 MLS Cup.
The youth squad’s silent but determined work earned him a call-up to the U.S. men’s national team and he was a vital part of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup winning team, with his teammates relying on his precision and anticipation to overcome. to their rivals.
Club: Real Salt Lake
Age: twenty
After a spectacular 2021 season, David Ochoa really proved his worth during the first round MLS Cup game between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders.
The Mexican national goalkeeper became the instant hero of the night after stopping Kelyn Rowe’s penalty for the lead and ultimately ending a long streak of playoff dominance by the Sounders. He had five clean sheets in 2021 and recorded 83 saves.
Club: Orlando City SC
Age: twenty-one
Daryl Dike got off to a breakneck start to his professional career after being selected by Orlando City SC during the MLS SuperDraft in January 2020.
A couple of months into his rookie year, the University of Virginia product was loaned to Barnsley to compete in the England Championship, and he came close to securing promotion to the Premier League with the Tykes before returning to Orlando. to make his mark in Major League Soccer.
This year alone, he recorded 10 goals and three assists.
Club: FC Dallas
Age: 18
Pepi tops the list!
Playing against the odds this season, he managed to become the rising star of 2021. The FC Dallas youth player was named Major League Soccer Young Player of the Year after recording 13 goals and three assists for the Western Conference team.
Internationally, Pepi rose to a start on Gregg Berhalter’s US senior team.
Pepi, nicknamed “The Train” for his momentum in attack, is unstoppable. It’s unclear where the forward will play next year, but his place as the league’s best young talent is indisputable.
#Top #young #talents #MLS