The 2019 and 2020 seasons in MLS noticed loads of younger gamers given alternatives. Now the upcoming season in 2021 ought to assist provide extra indications as to the ceilings of most of the gamers who broke by means of lately. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta offers a listing of 20 gamers who’ve loads to show in 2021.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
April 05, 2021
3:50 AM
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THE 2019 AND 2020 MLS season have been each very constructive ones for the league by way of groups taking part in younger gamers and attaining success with younger gamers. In 2020, the Philadelphia Union gained the Supporters Protect with two younger gamers making the league’s Greatest XI. In the meantime, the Columbus Crew gained MLS Cup with Aiden Morris taking part in a staring function in defensive midfield.
The league took constructive steps to not simply play, however to seek out methods to have the younger gamers contribute to success, and in addition promote the gamers who have been the highest performers.
What that does, nonetheless, is about the stage for an elevated variety of gamers in 2021 who’ve already now gotten their toes moist on the first workforce degree, perhaps even achieved some degree of success, and now must take the subsequent steps of their careers.
The upcoming season goes to be one the place we study loads about various younger gamers who’ve damaged by means of on the first workforce degree. We’ll get a glimpse of their ceiling and perhaps have to regulate how excessive or now low we price them. Are they going to make the transition from being good “for a young player” to being simply good gamers?
Here’s a take a look at 20 American gamers who will likely be attention-grabbing to observe. The age minimize of is 1999-born gamers or youthful. All of them have made their skilled debuts already (with two coming from Europe, the place they made debuts) and the upcoming season will function an necessary benchmark.
20. Dante Sealy
Ahead, FC Dallas
Sealy will flip 18 this month and, being a 2003-born participant, is among the youthful gamers on this listing. He’s additionally one of the crucial inexperienced gamers on this listing having made simply 5 appearances for FC Dallas. Nonetheless, he appears the half and his improvement is the subsequent take a look at of the membership’s academy which has despatched Weston McKennie, Bryan Reynolds, and Chris Richards off to excessive ranges in Europe. The academy has additionally despatched Reggie Cannon off to Portugal’s prime flight, and Justin Che looks like one other who will get bought.
Sealy took his first skilled steps in 2020 however now can he start making an influence? He’s anticipated to be part of the 2023 U.S. U-20 workforce.
19. Frankie Amaya
Midfielder, FC Cincinnati
Frankie Amaya, 20, is a troublesome participant to price proper now. He confirmed promising glimpses with the U.S. U-20 workforce and with Cincinnati final yr. However Cincinnati has been the worst workforce within the league by a big margin and it’s not possible to face on the market. The 2000-born Amaya has already stated he desires to go away the membership and it will possible drive a commerce. If that doesn’t occur, Amaya might lose beneficial time in his improvement.
But when Amaya finds a brand new vacation spot, he should regulate shortly to a brand new workforce and combine. He has expertise, however this yr will hopefully present an setting to make an correct analysis of the primary general decide within the 2019 draft.
18. Aboubacar Keita
Defender, Columbus Crew
Born in 2000, central defender Aboubacar Keita turned 21 this week and is making ready for his third season on first workforce of the Columbus Crew. Because the 2020 MLS Cup champions, the Crew are a troublesome workforce to interrupt into for a younger participant. Keita made 12 appearances (11 begins) in 2020 and 10 appearances (eight begins) in 2019. The expectations must be raised. Can he assist anchor a backline for top-of-the-line groups within the league? Or is he helpful backup?
To date, he’s proven himself to be proficient however uncooked however in his third season, can he show a extra polished skillset.
17. Leon Flach
Midfielder, Philadelphia Union
Defensive midfielder Leon Flach, 20, is one in all two gamers on the listing who has not performed in MLS earlier than. Born in Houston however raised in Germany, Flach developed at St. Pauli’s academy and made his first workforce debut in 2020. With money readily available on account of current gross sales, Philadelphia was capable of full a purchase order of the 2001-born Flach from cash-strapped St. Paul for underneath $300,000.
Flach was slated to be a part of the U.S. U-20 workforce in 2021 till the cycle was cancelled. However in Philadelphia, he’ll get an opportunity as Jim Curtin will play younger gamers if they’re adequate. If Flach lives as much as expectations, he will likely be price greater than the price of his switch price.
16. Cade Cowell
Winger, San Jose Earthquakes
Cade Cowell, 17, is one other 2003-born participant within the league who made some good contributions in 2020 – even scoring an enormous purpose towards the Galaxy. Bodily, Cowell is a handful to defend for a participant of his age however this yr will likely be necessary for him to each play extra and present extra parts to his sport.
15. Andres Perea
Midfielder, Orlando Metropolis SC
Andres Perea, 20, defensive midfielder confirmed promising glimpses in his first season with Orlando Metropolis in 2020 the place he emerged as a starter within the second half of the season. After the season, he switched his worldwide allegiance from Colombia to the US, the place he was born, and performed for the U.S. U-23 workforce in its failed Olympic qualification effort. There have been loads of explanation why that workforce failed and the shortage of attacking midfielders, and an over reliance of defensive midfielders, was an enormous issue.
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In Orlando, Perea will play with a correctly balanced workforce however he very a lot wants so as to add offensive chunk to his sport. Defensively he’s stable and he can cowl loads of floor. It’s as much as Oscar Pareja and the Orlando Metropolis teaching workers to assist Perea spherical out his sport. If he can add extra progressive passing and offensive motion to his sport, he could possibly be good. If not, he is perhaps restricted. 2021 will likely be an enormous yr to indicate progress.
14. Kevin Paredes
Midfielder, DC United
The 2003-birth yr is powerful in MLS and Paredes is one other one of many gamers who’s trying to make additional inroads in 2021. In 2021, the Virginia native made 17 first workforce look however the membership did not make the playoffs. Now underneath a brand new supervisor in Hernan Losada, the complete workforce might want to adapt.
Paredes had some excellent video games in 2020 however 2021 will likely be one other time for him to indicate added development – to maneuver from starter to an influence participant who can the workforce into the playoffs.
13. Julian Araujo
Fullback, LA Galaxy
It looks like Julian Araujo has been round for a very long time now, however the Galaxy proper again nonetheless gained’t flip 20 till August. This previous offseason Araujo earned his first cap with the U.S. nationwide workforce and was a part of the of the U-23 workforce’s failed Olympic qualifying workforce – whereas taking part in up a U-23 cycle. He ought to have been part of the U-20 workforce in 2021 till the cycle was cancelled.
There are loads of questions for Araujo this yr and the Galaxy has been a troublesome place for a younger participant lately. Zlatan overshadowed everybody in 2019. Chicharito was horrible in 2020 and Guillermo Barros Schelotto was ultimately fired. Now Greg Vanney will try and carry some wanted stability and that ought to profit Araujo – who will possible return to the correct again place after taking part in proper midfield in 2020.
Araujo is understood for being a tough employee and this could assist him in a yr the place he’s making an attempt to take the subsequent steps in his profession. He has the potential to be an excellent proper again and this yr will likely be an necessary time for him.
12. Gianluca Busio
Midfielder, Sporting Kansas Metropolis
Nonetheless solely 18, Gianluca Busio has performed 52 video games and a couple of,572 minutes whereas notching six objectives for Sporting Kansas Metropolis’s first workforce thus far. That’s loads of taking part in time for the midfielder. In 2020 he moved from attacking midfielder to holding midfielder. In 2021, he appears prone to transfer again into the assault.
Whereas younger, he’s shifting out of the prospect stage and extra into that of a known-player. He holds European-ambitions to get into one in all UEFA’s large leagues. However to try this, he’s going to wish to supply with Sporting Kansas Metropolis.
11. Jesus Ferreira
Ahead, FC Dallas
Jesus Ferreira, 20, comes into this season trying to reverse a troublesome development. As an 18-year previous in 2019, he confirmed loads of promise however 2020 was a tough yr for Ferreira. He moved round from place to place. He had a powerful January camp and was the MOTM in a 7-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago however then struggled within the failed Olympic qualifying run with the U-23s.
A part of it with Ferreira is that he shines in a second striker function in a 4-4-2 formation however hasn’t discovered a stable second place but. That’s vital given the restricted variety of groups that play a 4-4-2. Proper now, he appears to be proficient however restricted. He wants to seek out different positions and roles to thrive within the sport as a result of Luchi Gonzalez doesn’t seem as if he’ll be utilizing a 4-4-2 formation anytime quickly.
10. George Bello
Left Again, Atlanta United
After coping with accidents in 2019, George Bello made important strides in 2020 the place he performed 1648 minutes for Atlanta United throughout 20 appearances. At instances he seemed like the perfect and most constant performer for an Atlanta workforce wrapped up in Frank de Boer and the struggles of the interim workers that adopted.
Now he’ll get to play underneath new supervisor Gabriel Heinze, who performed left again and who has proven loads of promise as a supervisor.
The weather are there for Bello to be a breakout participant this yr – a extra steady membership state of affairs, well being, a greater surrounding workforce, and an excellent supervisor. Bello has at all times had loads of promise however it looks like issues are teed up for him in 2021.
9. Tanner Tessmann
Midfielder, FC Dallas
Tessmann, 19, was one of many greatest American victims of the cancellation of the 2021 U-20 World Cup. In 2020, he principally impressed in his 19 appearances for FC Dallas but additionally confirmed that there have been loads of areas he wanted to develop. When he’s on his sport, nonetheless, it appears to come back simply to him. This yr will likely be about settling right into a place, utilizing his large body to his benefit extra, and contributing extra offensively. It’s actually inside attain for him.
8. Aidan Morris
Midfielder, Columbus Crew
It was a dream ending to 2020 for Aidan Morris who crammed in for Darlington Nagbe at MLS Cup after Nagbe examined constructive for COVID-19. Morris, 19, was excellent within the win over Seattle and gained a powerful piece of silverware early in his profession. He was presupposed to be making ready for the U-20 World Cup within the first a part of the season however, on account of COVID, he’ll as a substitute will likely be hoping to nail down constant minutes with the membership.
At any time when given the prospect, Morris performed properly in 2020 however it should on a extra common foundation in 2021. If something, he ought to have earned Caleb Porter’s belief after MLS Cup. He might have a pleasant upside if he can play repeatedly – however Columbus is a troublesome lineup to interrupt into proper now.
7. Cameron Harper
Winger, New York Pink Bulls
Final month, Cameron Harper accomplished a switch from Celtic to the New York Pink Bulls and the winger will look to spice up the membership’s assault whereas immersing himself into the worldwide Pink Bull group. At any time when U.S. U-20 supervisor Anthony Hudson gave interviews in 2020, he was at all times fast to reward Harper as an necessary a part of the workforce – and different U.S. U-20 gamers usually singled out Harper as properly.
After making only one look for Celtic as his contract negotiations fell aside, Harper will make his adjustment to first-team soccer in Harrison. It is a company that wishes to proceed to go youthful and be streamlined with the Pink Bull groups in Europe. In being a part of that, Harper has a really good alternative with a company that values him and was prepared to pay a switch price to carry him over to begin preseason.
6. Ricardo Pepi
Forwards, FC Dallas
One of many prime teenager American forwards, Ricardo Pepi, 18, started to showcase his anticipated expertise in 2020 and scored a memorable purpose towards Portland within the playoffs to salvage a late draw. The query now turns into getting extra constant minutes and dealing on his ending capability. He’s nonetheless so younger (eligible for the 2023 U.S. U-20 workforce) and it is smart why FC Dallas was easing in his minutes.
Like with each different participant on this listing, it will likely be ratcheting up expectations and Pepi appears prepared for lots extra in 2021.
5. Anthony Fontana
Midfielder, Philadelphia Union
Fontana, 21, is among the most perplexing gamers on the listing. He performed simply 526 minutes for Philadelphia in 2020 however had six objectives throughout that point and was explosive at instances. In his profession, he has eight objectives in 683 minutes. It’s a small pattern measurement, however Fontana has seemed the half.
In 2021, the Delaware native will look to fill the void left by the departure of Brenden Aaronson. Fontana is a really completely different participant however might want to enhance a bunch of various areas. He’s going to must press extra and notch extra assists.
It’s an enormous soar to go from a sub/spot starter to changing a U.S. nationwide workforce participant who was league Greatest XI, however Fontana has earned the correct to strive. When he’s on, he’s enjoyable to observe and he can rating large objectives.
4. Paxton Pomykal
Midfielder, FC Dallas
Nobody questions Paxton Pomykal’s expertise however accidents have ravaged the Dallas homegrown box-to-box midfielder. Now 21, he has performed simply 2336 first workforce minutes in his profession and 2020 was primarily a misplaced yr for him.
When on the sector, he appears class and he lastly appears as if he’s returning to well being. It is just truthful to anticipate that he should battle by means of rust however it’s crucial that he have a season that’s free from any main harm. It’s the solely manner for him to salvage the excessive trajectory his profession was on tempo for through the 2019 U-20 World Cup.
3. Sam Vines
Left Again, Colorado Rapids
Sam Vines, 21, is the product of fine and regular improvement. A full 2018 season within the USL of 2303 minutes adopted by 3830 mixed minutes with Colorado’s first workforce in 2019 and 2020 has given Vines a really stable skilled base to construct his profession. That has translated to a few nationwide workforce caps and he was one of many few U-23 gamers who acquitted himself properly final month within the failed Olympic qualifying effort.
Vines ought to completely be taking pictures for Europe before later. He’s a sensible participant who has already performed loads on this league. He additionally performs left again, and groups usually wrestle to seek out gamers at this place.
There are nonetheless elements of his sport he must work on. His defensive place must be higher as a result of in contrast to U.S. nationwide workforce starter Antonee Robinson, he doesn’t have the athleticism to beat poor positioning. However Vines can cross and skim the sport. He deserves to be within the nationwide workforce participant pool and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if he can proceed his upward rise.
2. Cole Bassett
Midfielder, Colorado Rapids
Bassett, 19, is one other participant who needs to be aiming for Europe with one other large begin to the 2021 season. To date in his MLS profession he has eight objectives and 5 assists in 2290 minutes for Colorado. He’s performed properly and is among the higher younger American attacking midfielders within the league. He’s been gaining curiosity since final season when he helped get Colorado into the playoffs with an enormous season.
Bassett ought to proceed to enhance this season and that ought to solely proceed to open doorways. If he performs properly to begin the season, a Gold Cup invite for the U.S. nationwide workforce may also be within the combine. He’s actually one to observe for each what he might do for Colorado, what doorways he can open in Europe, and whether or not or not he can get into the equation internationally.
1.Caden Clark
Midfielder, New York Pink Bulls
Caden Clark, 17, will likely be thrilling to observe as a result of he most likely probably the most extremely regarded 2003-born American prospect for the time being. It’s extensively reported {that a} deal is already within the works that may transfer him to RB Leipzig in January.
As MLS improves at each the academy and first workforce ranges, prime prospects appear extra inclined to start their careers domestically earlier than shifting overseas. Clark is that case. However many prime gamers just lately have additionally gained earlier than they left. Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, and Matt Miazga all gained Supporters’ Shields. Daryl Dike, who appears unlikely to return to Orlando, helped his workforce qualify for the publish season for the primary time and win a playoff sport.
Clark is actually one to observe in 2021 to see what sort of influence he could make this early in his profession.
