First Kudos to Mike Repole a fellow St. John's Alum, I am pretty sure we had classes together as we went through the Athletic Administration program there. He did well with Mystic Iced Tea, unreal with Vitamin Water and is killing it with his BodyArmor and Pirates Booty, his horses also do well.
Over the last few years the MLS has gotten a bad rap for being a retirement league, this should help to put those thoughts to rest. Below is the list.
#22, Moses Nyeman, DC United. Since Freddy Adu there has not been so young of a player for DC.
#21 Tanne Tessman, FC Dallas. They have a famed Academy and he is out of it, but turned down national powerhouse Clemson and their football program.
#20 Zachary Brault-Guillard, Montreal Impact. In just his 2nd year he has some of the best numbers in his spot league wide.
#19 Cristian Casseres, NYRB. Now away on international duty for his Venezuela it has been great to see him develop at RBA. With Gerhard Struber on the way his skills at development should be of great benefit.
#18 Bryan Reynolds, Dallas. This 19 year old is inked not to the standard 3 year but a deal for a quartet of years they find him so valuable.
#17 Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy. In 2019, Zlatan dubbed him the best young talent in MLS. He added some size to go along with his great ball skills.
#16 Jesus Ferreia, Dallas. Are they cornering the market here? His stock has dropped form #9 in 2019. His points production is way down in 2020, 1/7 of the previous season.
#15 Frankie Amaya, FC Cincinnati. Their first choice in the expansion draft, his defensive strength and motor joining with his passing making him the prototypical modern center mid.
#14 George Bello, Atlanta United. Last year was a battle but this year he has battled back, a lock at left back and great at attacking.
#13 Sam Vines, Col. Rapids. 2019 was his coming out party and this homegrown was in the Jan. USMNT camp as a result, earning his first cap. The starting back is equally adept moving forward, making him a top choice in the league.
#12 Julian Araujo, LA Galaxy, have they discovered a fountain of youth? This right back at just 19, he has also had time as their left wing, his skill, and speed has El Tri eyeing him.
#11 Luis Binks Montreal Impact. We hope Thierry Henry is wearing sunglasses this year as with 2 in this group, the near future is bright. The center back of the team giving up the most goals in the MLS is not a good position at this time. Luis came over from Tottenham in the off season and he has more than held his own on the ball, he already is set to go to Serie A team Bologna.
#10 Daryl Dike, OCSC. A unique physical presence on the field, as his brother, he has raised his game since college and his first pro season has been a good one. He won the starting job in Aug. and his ability finishing and speed will serve him well.
#9 Gianluca Busio, SKC. Maybe the best hair on the list, he is an impact player already at just 18 now with over half a century of games under his belt. He has impressed Peter Vermes his HC so much he has drawn parallels to Pirlo.
#8 Ezequiel Barco, Atl. Utd. This midfielder had a better last year but his quality still shows. Injuries on the year have held him down, but he is still great 1 v 1 and making great passes in their attacking third.
#7 Cole Bassett, Col. Rapids. He is near the top in goals and assists for his team at only 19, buoyed by his time at the MIB games. HC Fraser is aware of the European interest.
#6 James Sands, NYCFC, the quiet man had picked up many more fouls against him but is now out for the year with a broken foot. Each of his years at Yankee Stadium have seen him rise in quality. His reading of the game and of late his aggressiveness have been a difference maker in this year.
#5 Paxton Pomkal, Dallas. Their academy is a machine, but he has just 150' played on the year, not worthy of such a rank as it reflects unrealized potential. A possible candidate for #1, he hopes to come back in 2021 stronger than ever.
#4 Ayo Akinola, TFC. HIs speed jumped out in the MIB games and his work was a revelation. He is a defenders nightmare with his abilities and he keeps on improving. His Toronto are at the top and is a big part of it.
#3 Mark McKenzie, Phila. Union, out hurt and with the USMNT U-20's World Cup play he has a huge jump from last year from 16, wow. His strength, physical play and touch have Europe tracking him, maybe the next one to pop the pond from Philly?
#2 Brian Rodriguez, LAFC, low on goals but not on skills taking on others and making things happen. A trio of goals for his Uruguay at this young 20 bodes well for club and country, he also has the eye of European teams.
#1 Brenden Aaronson, Phila. Union, oops Red Bull Salzburg as of Jan. The jump from 7 to 1 since '19 is well earned for the attacking mid. He is a threat on the offensive or defensive roles his play calls for as is evidenced by his increased goal output.
Next year look to see more from the NY with Caden Clark sure to get some notice if the small time he has had is any indication. We would like to think that Dylan Nealis of Massapequa, now with Inter Miami will get some notice. Dru Yearwood of NYRB has shown moments of brilliance, hoping for more as he settles in and gets more time. Nicolas Acevedo of NYCFC has been a much heralded signing but getting minimal field time.