ASN: 15 Younger American gamers to observe within the 2022 MLS Season

Over the previous yr, MLS groups have bought or loaned lots of younger People to Europe – with Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann, Sam Vines, Ricardo Pepi, Kevin Paredes, George Bello, James Sands, Cole Bassett, and Justin Che being only a few. However with their departure, extra younger gamers in MLS will fill the void. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta offers his record of 15 younger People (born 2002 or later) that he’s involved in following throughout the 2022 season. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 10, 2022
12:25 AM

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THIS PAST OFFSEASON noticed a ton of motion for American gamers. Gamers resembling Cole Bassett, James Sands, Kevin Paredes, Ricardo Pepi, Justin Che, and George Bello had been both bought or loaned to golf equipment in prime European leagues. However as these gamers have departed, different younger gamers will intention to emerge.

A part of being a league recognized for its growth is that there are at all times or ought to at all times be younger gamers breaking by.

Right here space record of younger American gamers (2002-born and youthful) who could possibly be among the many subsequent to interrupt by within the upcoming 2022 season

#1: Gabriel Slonina
Chicago Fireplace: Goalkeeper

It’s uncommon to see a goalkeeper at such a younger impress however the Chicago Fireplace keeper earned the beginning spot in August final season and impressed. His rise has come at a time when U.S. nationwide crew supervisor Gregg Berhalter has acknowledged the necessity for youthful goalkeepers in his participant pool. Slonina earned lots of consideration within the fall for his play – and for good cause. In any league, this can be very uncommon to have a 17 yr outdated staring goalkeeper and however now will Slonina be capable of assist Chicago contend for a playoff spot? That’s the hope within the Windy Metropolis – offered that the membership can hold onto him. That’s removed from assured as massive European groups have reportedly taking curiosity. 

Additionally, in his wheelhouse this yr is a beginning spot on the U.S. U-20 crew which has a vital yr forward to qualify for each the 2023 U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. Slonina needs to be a giant a part of that effort.  In December and once more in January, he grew to become the primary participant from the 2004 delivery yr to be referred to as as much as america nationwide crew. Issues actually are trending in his favor the previous yr and that has set the stage for an excellent greater yr forward.  

#2: Josh Atencio
Seattle Sounders: Defensive midfielder

The younger Washington native made carried out very nicely for the Seattle Sounders in 2021 over 25 appearances and 18 begins. Seattle is usually top-of-the-line groups within the league on a constant foundation and Atencio is surrounded by high quality veterans to study from.  He’s already made a stable impression however this season will probably be about elevating his sport and transitioning from being a prospect and right into a key participant in top-of-the-line environments the league has to supply. 

#3: Cade Cowell
San Jose Earthquakes: Winger

 Cade Cowell has proven to be a really thrilling younger participant for San Jose the place he combines his bodily power with a pleasant diploma of ability. Final season he made 33 appearances for San Jose (14 had been begins) over 1662 minutes and produced 5 objectives and 5 assists. That’s a powerful output ratio for a crew that didn’t make the playoffs.

Cowell, 18, may also be that includes for the U.S. U-20 crew this yr – so lots will probably be on his plate. At San Jose, his aim will probably be to lock down a beginning spot and assist flip the crew into one that may make the playoffs. For the U-20’s, he needs to be counted on as a starter who can produce objectives.

#4: Paxten Aaronson
Philadelphia Union: Attacking Midfielder

Barely overshadowed by his older brother, Paxten Aaronson ought to have loads of alternative to make his personal title this yr. He’s on the age the place Brenden Aaronson first started to interrupt onto the scene with Philadelphia and ultimately earn a spot on the nationwide crew.

The youthful Aaronson has the fortune of additionally being at Philadelphia – which continues to be an incredible place for younger gamers. Below Jim Curtin, he can have a supervisor who is aware of him and can give him a good shot. Whereas Brenden was minimize from the 2019 U.S. U-20 crew, Paxten seems to be as if he’ll play a giant a part of that crew.

This Union crew in 2022 is deeper than earlier than and it ought to, as soon as once more, be a enjoyable crew that competes nicely. Aaronson, as a playmaking midfielder, ought to have an elevated position and be set to take a step past the place he was in 2021.  

#5: John Tolkin
New York Crimson Bulls: Left Again

Early final season, John Tolkin made is first crew debut with the New York Crimson Bulls. He ended up enjoying 2019 minutes together with 22 begins in 2021. Usually he performed his most popular left again place however typically he needed to play within the midfield as Andrew Gutman’s returned from damage. However with Gutman now again with Atlanta (to switch George Bello), Tolkin ought to have the left again spot all to himself. That ought to solely assist in his growth. 

The Chatham, NJ native nonetheless has to enhance, however he has proven spectacular potential at left again and his service into the field is usually superb. If he improves, it’s simple to see European “buzz” flow into round Tolkin who performs a place of want for a lot of groups and performs for a crew that’s prepared to promote. 

#6: Jack McGlynn
Philadelphia Union: Midfielder

The Philadelphia Union central midfielder wasn’t fairly a daily final season however he managed to make 22 appearances over eight begins. His most memorable second got here within the playoffs when he subbed right into a win over Nashville, performed nicely, after which confidently buried his penalty in a shootout as Philadelphia superior to the Jap Convention Last.

This yr, McGlynn ought to play extra for Philadelphia whereas additionally having a spot on the U.S. U-20 crew. There will probably be loads of alternative for McGlynn in 2022 to take the subsequent step. 

#7: Caden Clark
New York Crimson Bulls: Midfielder

After a lot hypothesis as to what was going to occur to him within the offseason (when he was bought to Leipzig and loaned again to New York), it was formally introduced that Clark was going to stay in New York for an additional season with an choice for an additional yr.

#8: Quinn Sullivan
Philadelphia Union: Midfielder/Winger

Sullivan, 17, he third participant from the Philadelphia Union to make this record – and for good cause. He can rating spectacular objectives and he has a aptitude for the dramatic. His first aim final season got here off a bicycle towards Chicago. Simply final week he scored a volley for the U.S. U-20 crew in a win over Dallas.

Sullivan is a flexible participant who can play quite a few positions. That’s helpful however it additionally makes it more durable to develop. It is going to be fascinating to see how Jim Curtin makes use of him – will he settle into one place or proceed to drift round? He actually is proficient and a enjoyable participant to observe. He is top-of-the-line 2004-born American gamers for the time being. 

#9: Moses Nyeman
DC United: Midfielder

Moses Nyeman has at all times been held in excessive regard when it comes to prospects and maybe this would be the season when he breaks out. The sleek-passing midfielder won’t appear to be a really perfect match for Argentine supervisor Hernan Losada who is understood for his frantic, intense-pressing type (much like that of Crimson Bull groups). It is going to be a take a look at for DC United and Nyeman to make it work however Nyeman will now have a full preseason underneath Losada to regulate (the membership not too long ago denied his launch to the U.S. U-20 crew as a result of they needed him to spend time making ready for the season). After an damage saved him out in direction of the top of the 2021 season, Nyeman is now wholesome and poised to take a much bigger position in 2022. 

#10: Reed Baker-Whiting
Seattle Sounders: Midfielder

Most individuals agree Reed Baker-Whiting, 16 (turning 17 in March), is among the prime 2005-born American gamers at this very early stage. Sure, prospects at this age rise and fall shortly however the Sounders are inspired by Baker-Whiting’s potential and head coach Brian Schmetzer gave him 4 appearances (together with two begins) within the common season.

He’s actually one to observe however the query is whether or not that is his breakout yr, or is it 2023 or 2024? If he performed final season, it solely is smart he’ll play extra this yr – then it is going to be as much as him. Additionally, don’t low cost him maybe getting a glance sooner or later this cycle with the U.S. U-20 crew. Sure, that crew has quite a few gamers in his place, however Baker-Whiting could possibly be ok to push that group quickly.

#11: Dan Edelman
New York Crimson Bulls: Defensive midfielder

Daniel Edelman, 18, was one of many extra intriguing homegrown gamers signed by an MLS crew this offseason. A possible starter on the U.S. U-20 crew, Edelman needs to be able to play minutes this season for the Crimson Bulls. He won’t begin immediately, however there will probably be alternatives for him. The departure of captain Sean Davis (who performed each minute in 2021) opens an enormous door that must be stuffed by many gamers – together with Edelman.

Crimson Bull-owned groups throughout the globe wish to go younger, in order that may also work into Edelman’s favor. The New York Crimson Bulls have additionally had a lot success with homegrown gamers through the years, so it is going to be fascinating to see of Gerhard Struber is ready to proceed with that. Edelman is an efficient take a look at case. 

#12 Tayvon Grey
New York Metropolis FC: Proper again

Tayvon Grey, 19, was one of many unsung heroes for New York Metropolis FC final season throughout its profitable marketing campaign to win MLS Cup. When Anton Tinnerholm suffered a season-ending Achilles damage in August, Grey moved into the fitting again place and stuffed in admirably. The Bronx native has proven that he’s able to serving to a crew win on the highest ranges the league has to supply. However when Tinnerholm returns, what’s going to occur to Grey? Grey will stay a key prospect throughout the group and NYCFC will probably be eager on giving him minutes.

In some unspecified time in the future Grey will pressure himself into the lineup however anytime a teenage American begins all through the playoffs of an MLS Cup profitable marketing campaign, he deserves to be on an inventory like this.

# 13: Brian Gutiérrez
Chicago Fireplace: Attacking midfielder

The Chicago Fireplace are within the midst of one other rebuild. New coach Ezra Hendrickson is in his first head teaching gig however is aware of the league nicely. The crew additionally seems to be like it will make use of a hybrid type method of blending youth with veteran gamers – such because the newly acquired designated participant Xherdan Shaqiri.

U.S. U-20 attacking midfielder Brian Gutierrez ought to firmly within the combine as he brings extra expertise than many of the crew’s different younger gamers – having made 17 appearances in 2021. Chicago has been a tricky place to reach latest years however Gutierrez is among the many crew’s higher younger gamers and he will probably be surrounded by extra expertise, which can solely assist him.

#14: Kayden Pierre
Sporting Kansas Metropolis: Proper again

Pierre, 18, has lots of issues working in his favor this yr. For one, Sporting Kansas Metropolis needs to be a stable playoff crew – but once more. Second, the crew’s beginning proper again Graham Zusi is now 35 years outdated. Third, Sporting KC not too long ago shipped off Jaylin Lyndsey to Charlotte which solely will transfer Pierre up the pecking order. Lastly, Sporting KC has develop into extra inclined to play younger gamers lately having discovered success with Gianluca Busio.

Pierre is a proficient proper again and could possibly be the frontrunner to even be the starter for the U.S. U-20 crew. He’s but to make his MLS debut with SKC however that ought to come quickly.

#15: Ted Ku-DiPietro
DC United: Midfielder

After standing out for Loudoun United in latest seasons, DC United lastly inked midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro to a homegrown deal over the offseason. Together with his skill to cowl floor and break strains together with his passing, he seems to be match for head coach Hernan Losada who’s now getting into into his second season with the membership.

DC United made lots of modifications within the offseason so Losada will be capable of start constructing the crew as he needs it. DePietro appears poised to be a part of his plans.