The 2026 MLS season begins this weekend and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta tries to establish the 15 younger American gamers who will make the most important impression within the coming 12 months
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
February 18, 2026
12:00 AM
SHARE THIS STORY
THE 2026 MLS SEASON IS almost right here and what we do yearly is to rank the highest younger American gamers forward of the primary sport. It’s much less a glance about future upside however extra of a rating as to which gamers will make the most important impacts within the 2026 season.
When it comes to defining which gamers are “young,” it appears truthful to maintain it considerably tied to U.S. youth nationwide groups. Provided that the U.S. will likely be collaborating within the 2028 Olympic video games on house soil, that looks as if an excellent cutoff.
1) Zavier Gozo (ahead, Actual Salt Lake)
Final season, Zavier Gozo established himself as a starter for Actual Salt Lake making 22 begins. He showcased plenty of versatility the place he performed as a winger and generally as a second striker. What was most essential is that he acquired higher because the season progressed and completed with 4 objectives and three assists. All of his assists final season got here within the last month of the common season. He then went to the U-20 World Cup (enjoying up a cycle), emerged as a starter and even had a purpose and an help in a 3-0 win over France.
Wanting forward, there are many causes to love the place Gozo stands as a participant. He has a beginning job at his membership, and he has a number of avenues to proceed to characterize the USA. He’s eligible for the brand new U-20 crew that has qualifying this summer season, or he would possibly simply shift to the Olympic crew to being getting ready to play with them.
He has an excellent profile that ought to entice switch curiosity.
2) Luca Bombino (fullback, San Diego FC)
In 2025, Luca Bombino was one of many prime younger Individuals in MLS. He performed over 2500 minutes because the crew’s beginning left again and was key to the membership incomes the highest seed within the Western Convention for the playoffs.
If there have been any issues over a “sophomore slump” for Bombino, he rapidly put them to relaxation as he was one of many crew’s greatest gamers in a 4-2 combination win over Pumas within the opening spherical of the CONCACAF Champions Cup this previous month. However that additionally results in the purpose that Bombino has carried out effectively towards Mexican opponents, scoring final 12 months towards Pachuca in Leagues Cup after which scoring towards Pumas.
There may be each purpose to be bullish on Bombino in 2026. He has a manger in Mikey Varas who believes in him, he shines able the place many groups struggled to seek out choices, and he persistently was good in 2025 (the place he was on mortgage from LAFC however it was made a everlasting deal within the offseason).
Bombino will definitely be the topic of switch rumors as early as this summer season. Proficient younger left backs at all times are in brief provide. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how San Diego FC, with their possession and as a part of the Proper to Dream community, will deal with its first very proficient younger home participant on the sale market.
Internationally, Bombino didn’t get the minutes many have been anticipating on the U-20 World Cup however that was largely because of Nolan Norris have already been established throughout the group earlier than Bombino broke out. However heading into the beginning of the Olympic cycle, Bombino seems to be the very best age-eligible American choice.
3) Frankie Westfield (fullback, Philadelphia Union)
Of all of the American gamers who broke out in 2025, Westfield was the participant who made the most important strides in his growth. He had an important season in MLS Subsequent Professional in 2024 however solely inked his homegrown deal early in 2025. He then went onto earn the beginning job early within the season and was a part of the crew’s extremely profitable common season which ended with successful the Supporters’ Defend. He completed with 19 begins, 28 appearances, and 1872 minutes.
That rise was additionally seen on the worldwide degree. Westfield by no means represented the USA previous to incomes a U-20 call-up within the fall of 2024. Then in September, he turned the beginning proper again on the U-20 World Cup and was one of many crew’s greatest gamers as they superior to the quarterfinal.
In spite of everything his accomplishments in 2025, expectations will likely be heightened for Westfield heading into 2026 however he must be anticipated to do very effectively once more with Philadelphia.
4) Brooklyn Raines (midfielder, New England Revolution)
Final season, Brooklyn Raines broke into the beginning lineup of the Houston Dynamo and made 20 begins. It was a tricky stage for Raines because the Dynamo have been mired in dysfunction and didn’t make the playoffs. Nonetheless, there have been loads of occasions the place he confirmed strong expertise in his capacity to carry the ball and assist his crew keep possession.
Ranes, 20, is in a a lot better scenario in 2026 as his greatest moments got here with the U.S. U-20 crew throughout whole cycle the place he capped it off with a strong World Cup. Within the 3-0 win over France, he was arguably the very best participant on the sphere. After the U-20 World Cup, head coach Marko Mitrovic was employed to guide the New England Revolution. One of many crew’s first strikes was then to deliver Raines over from the Dynamo on a U-22 initiative.
Raines will now play for a coach who believes in him and who has introduced out the very best in him.
5) Cavan Sullivan (midfielder, Philadelphia Union)
Thos most tough facet of those lists of younger gamers is that measuring gamers with future upside and predicting gamers who will make an impression on the sphere within the close to future are two very, very various things. The place Sullivan ranks when it comes to his pure expertise is one factor. Many would have him on the prime of these lists. However is he a younger participant who will make an impression in 2026? He doesn’t flip 17 till this September. That isn’t as clear but.
Final season, he performed 226 minutes – principally earlier than his sixteenth birthday. Whereas that doubtless upset him, it’s not a foul place for a participant of his age. There may be each purpose to assume Sullivan will play fairly a bit extra in 2026. Like final 12 months, he may also doubtless be given loads of time to play internationally. He might play in U-20 World Cup qualifiers this summer season and even be given an opportunity in Olympic camps within the fall. He would possibly go for one more coaching stint with Manchester Metropolis.
Sullivan’s impression this season will doubtless be restricted till he scores his first purpose, or helps remodel a sport. As soon as that occurs, head coach Bradley Carnell will get extra snug giving him actual minutes. The optimistic view is that he’ll begin making an measurable impression with the Union by the summer season.
6) Peyton Miller (fullback, winger, New England Revolution)
Having turned solely 18 within the offseason, Miller has performed plenty of first crew minutes for his age. In 2025, he performed 2080 minutes for the New England Revolution scoring twice and including two assists. In 2024, as a 16-year-old, he performed 925 minutes in all competitions.
The following step in his development is transferring past being a proficient younger participant with often good video games to turning into a participant who’s persistently good and somebody who will help make his crew higher.
That may be a tough soar for a younger participant to make however Miller has loads going for him. He now has his current U.S. U-20 head coach Marko Mitrovic operating the present on the New England Revolution. With that mentioned, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the place Miller strains up – left again, or left wing. Mitrovic sometimes most popular him on the wing whereas most of his membership minutes have been at left again.
Internationally, Miller was one among two gamers on the 2025 U.S. U-20 World Cup roster who was enjoying up a cycle (the opposite being Zavier Gozo). On the World Cup, Miller was a substitute however struggled to make a lot of an impression when he performed. It will likely be essential for him to emerge as a frontrunner on the brand new U-20 crew.
7) Niko Tsakiris (midfielder, San Jose Earthquakes)
At one time Niko Tsakiris was thought-about among the many greatest American gamers of the 2005 beginning 12 months, however 2025 was a misplaced 12 months for him on the membership degree. He performed simply 363 MLS minutes throughout 11 video games and 4 begins because of accidents and worldwide responsibility.
8) Jonny Shore (midfielder, New York Metropolis FC)
Jonathan Shore, 18, had an excellent debut season with New York Metropolis FC as he performed in 30 matches and made 16 begins to assist his membership advance to the Japanese Convention Closing. Within the Convention Semifinal, Shore had one among his greatest performances when he went the space in a giant 1-0 away win over the Philadelphia Union.
Shore should battle for his minutes in 2026 and it may be tough for him early within the season. Shore missed most of this present preseason with an harm whereas central midfielder Keaton Parks has returned after present process surgical procedure midseason surgical procedure final summer season.
The more than likely state of affairs is that Shore finally finds his approach onto the sphere regularly for NYCFC.
Additionally for the New York Metropolis native is the U.S. U-20 nationwide crew. Shore must be anticipated to be a frontrunner of that group and NYCFC will doubtless enable him to be a part of that crew. Shore is eligible for Mexico by his mom, however the odds are that he options for the U.S. crew this U-20 cycle.
9) Nolan Norris (defender, FC Dallas)
Norris was probably the most essential gamers on the final U.S. U-20 crew. As a flexible defender, he served because the crew’s captain throughout World Cup qualifying, and he performed effectively on the World Cup the place he began forward of two high-upside left backs in Luca Bombino and Peyton Miller.
Regardless of his success along with his friends, first crew minutes at FC Dallas have by no means been there persistently for Norris. In 2025, Norris performed simply 725 minutes for Eric Quill.
That ought to change in 2026 as FC Dallas will wish to transfer one other academy product into the primary crew – which was traditionally a energy of the group. However apart from that, Norris must be prepared. As he’s each a left again and a central defender, he would possibly discover a beginning job on the left-side of a three-man backline.
Whether or not Norris will help be a part of a contingent that brings FC Dallas again to the postseason is one other query. However the minutes must be there for him.
10) Taha Habroune (forwards, midfielder, Columbus Crew)
Habroune, 20, is one other participant who has proven glimpses of being able to tackle an even bigger function with Columbus. Now it’s about really doing it.
In 2025, Habroune performed 886 minutes in all competitions for Columbus and his greatest outings got here within the Leagues Cup the place he had a two-assists in a sport towards Puebla and was among the finest gamers on the sphere in a win over Leon. His solely purpose in MLS video games got here towards Cincinnati, among the finest groups within the league.
It’s laborious to foretell the approaching season for Habroune as Columbus have a brand new coach in Henrik Rydström, who’s an entire outsider from Sweden. However the protected wager is that minutes will likely be there for Habroune, however will he benefit from it? He has the expertise to take action, however it would come right down to his maturity and his reference to Rydström
Internationally, Habroune is one other participant who must be anticipated to be a part of the preliminary Olympic crew camps beginning within the fall. He was an essential participant for the current U.S. U-20 crew all through the cycle however didn’t have an important World Cup.
11) Pedro Soma (midfielder, San Diego FC)
Final season, Soma made the transfer to San Diego after enjoying on mortgage with Barcelona B from Cornella in Spain. Barcelona determined to not train an choice to buy, and Cornella was enjoying within the fifth tier of Spain. Soma, 19, needed to make a transfer and San Diego provided him a pathway to enjoying first-team video games.
Sadly for Soma, it was powerful for him to interrupt into common minutes San Diego when he joined because the crew was overachieving. As a substitute, he centered on the U.S. U-20 crew the place he sometimes was an choice off the bench, enjoying behind Benja Cremaschi, Brooklyn Raines, and Niko Tsakiris.
However San Diego, as a part of the Proper to Dream community, will wish to get younger gamers on the sphere and the early indicators are that Soma will play much more. He began each legs within the crew’s combination win over Pumas within the Champions Cup.
Internationally, Soma must be within the Olympic pool, however it will likely be laborious to make that crew as along with competing with many gamers from the YNT system, an overage spot may very well be utilized in central midfield.
12) David Vazquez (midfielder, San Diego FC)
Typically for younger gamers, it’s about making good choices to seek out minutes. Final season, when Vazquez made the transfer from Philadelphia to San Diego (at first a mortgage, then with SDFC exercising a $500,000 choice to buy) it seemed that SDFC rated him and had a plan for him. Given San Diego’s ambitions with being a hub for youth growth as a part of the Proper to Dream community, it was an optimistic signal for Vazquez.
Set-piece execution pays off! ???? pic.twitter.com/5hsAEhCAhc
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 4, 2026
Whereas enjoying time was restricted for Vazquez in 2025, the indicators are that he’s going to play extra in 2026. Earlier within the month, Vazquez got here off the bench and scored a giant purpose within the 4-1 win over Pumas within the Champions Cup.
Vazquez, 19, is going through an essential 12 months however there are indicators for optimism.
13) Tate Johnson (fullback, Vancouver Whitecaps)
The son of former MLS participant Brian Johnson, Tate Johnson was one of many extra stunning younger American gamers in MLS throughout the 2025 season. Popping out of North Carolina, he went by the MLS draft and was taken by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
What occurred within the season was outstanding. He was a part of the crew’s runs to the CONCACAF Champions Cup last (beginning in victories over Pumas, Monterrey, and Inter Miami) and to MLS Cup (beginning within the Convention Closing towards San Diego).
Regardless of not being chosen to be a part of the U.S. crew’s U-20 World Cup crew, he earned extra huge sport expertise than anybody else within the pool throughout the season.
Now comes the laborious half for Johnson. Expectations will likely be increased for him and for the crew. Can Johnson be a part of serving to to maintain the Whitecaps among the finest within the league?
Internationally it’s powerful for Johnson. His subsequent alternative will likely be with the Olympic crew and there are many choices in that age group at left again (Luca Bombino, Nolan Norris, Peyton Miller), however Johnson has an opportunity to proceed to impress at Vancouver and he will likely be within the combine.
14) Sergio Oregel, Jr. (midfielder, Chicago Fireplace)
Sergio Oregel was a part of a Chicago Fireplace crew that returned to the playoffs and led the league in homegrown minutes beneath new supervisor Gregg Berhalter. Oregel completed the season having performed a powerful 2157 minutes and having made 26 begins.
Sadly for Oregel, he didn’t make the U.S. U-20 World Cup crew. However the record of very profitable gamers who have been lower from youth nationwide groups is lengthy. Whether or not or not Oregel will get there remans to be seen, however we are going to study loads about him this season. Through the offseason, Chicago spent cash on central midfields by signing Robin Lod and Anton Salétros. However central midfielders are at all times in rotation and Oregel could have loads of alternatives to proceed to play for a Chicago Fireplace crew that’s on the rise.
15) Luke Brennan (winger, Atlanta United)
The 2025 season was one to overlook for Atlanta United. Now it 2026, previous good friend Tata Martino has returned and is hoping to guide the membership again in the direction of the highest of the league. In Atlanta, there’s strain on the coaches and the entrance workplace to rapidly flip issues round. Possession has spent some huge cash on this crew and can wish to see returns.
Luke Brennan is arguably the crew’s greatest homegrown participant and he was an important participant for the U.S. U-20 nationwide crew all final cycle. However minutes haven’t been there for him with Atlanta United’s first crew. In 2025, Brennan appeared in 22 matches for Atlanta United for simply 675 minutes. Misplaced within the dysfunctional mess that was the primary crew, Brennan performed effectively and was enjoyable to look at.
However will Martino have time for Brennan? Does he see him as a part of the answer?
It would take time for Brennan to seek out his approach into Martino’s rotation however it’s straightforward to see a future the place the Argentine supervisor finds essential methods to make use of Brennan.
