Annual ranking of top young players in MLS highlighted by Inter Miami CF’s Diego Gómez at No. 1
NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 9, 2024) – Major League Soccer today unveiled the full 2024 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR class highlighting the best young international and domestic players across the league. The players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass Talent, and select media. Topping the list in 2024 is Inter Miami CF and Paraguayan National Team midfielder Diego Gómez, who is the first Miami player to be ranked No. 1 overall. Gómez joins Miguel Almiron (2017, Atlanta United) as the only Paraguayan players to win 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR.
Rank | Player | Club | Age | Academy(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Diego Gómez | Inter Miami CF | 21 | Club Libertad |
2 | Diego Luna | Real Salt Lake | 21 | Barca Residency Academy, San Jose Earthquakes |
3 | Jack McGlynn | Philadelphia Union | 21 | Philadelphia Union, BW Gottschee |
4 | Brian Gutiérrez | Chicago Fire FC | 21 | Chicago Fire FC |
5 | Federico Redondo | Inter Miami CF | 21 | Argentinos Juniors |
6 | Benjamin Cremaschi | Inter Miami CF | 19 | Inter Miami CF, Weston FC |
7 | Obed Vargas | Seattle Sounders FC | 19 | Seattle Sounders FC |
8 | Quinn Sullivan | Philadelphia Union | 20 | Philadelphia Union |
9 | Jalen Neal | LA Galaxy | 21 | LA Galaxy |
10 | Esmir Bajraktarević | New England Revolution | 19 | New England Revolution, SC Wave, Chicago Fire F |
11 | Daniel Edelman | New York Red Bulls | 21 | New York Red Bulls, PDA |
12 | Tomás Avilés | Inter Miami CF | 20 | Atlético Boxing Club |
13 | Chris Brady | Chicago Fire FC | 20 | Chicago Fire FC |
14 | Nathan Saliba | CF Montréal | 20 | CF Montréal |
15 | Kevin Kelsy | FC Cincinnati | 20 | Mineros de Guayana |
16 | Julián Aude | LA Galaxy | 21 | Club Atlético Lanús |
17 | Owen Wolff | Austin FC | 19 | Austin FC, Atlanta United, Columbus Crew |
18 | Carvan Sullivan | Philadelphia Union | 15 | Philadelphia Union |
19 | David Martínez | Los Angeles Football Club | 18 | Monagas S.C. |
20 | Christian McFarlane | New York City FC | 17 | New York City FC |
21 | Davif Ruiz | Inter Miami CF | 20 | Inter Miami CF |
22 | Peyton Miller | New England Revolution | 17 | New England Revolution, Oakwood Soccer Club |
The 2024 version of the list includes a total of 16 Homegrown players with Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna ranking the highest at No. 2 overall. The most represented club is Inter Miami CF with five players, while four other clubs had multiple selections on the list – the Philadelphia Union (three), Chicago Fire FC (two), the LA Galaxy (two), and the New England Revolution (two). Players on this year’s 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR list entered through two different mechanisms: Homegrown signings (16) and U22 Initiative signings (six).
Several players on the list have progressed through the MLS Pro Player Pathway, beginning their careers in MLS NEXT before competing in MLS NEXT Pro and then starring in MLS. Ten players in this year’s class previously played in MLS NEXT, as well as 10 who have seen action in MLS NEXT Pro. Notable MLS NEXT standouts include Inter Miami CF’s Benjamin Cremaschi (No. 6), who was named the U16 2021 MLS NEXT Cup MVP with MLS NEXT Elite Academy Weston FC, and Peyton Miller (No. 22), who helped lead the U19 New England Revolution to an MLS NEXT Cup title in 2023 as a 15-year-old.
Notable MLS NEXT Pro alumni include New York City FC defender Christian McFarlane, who played in 29 games with New York City FC II from 2022-24, as well as Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who has scored three goals and added four assists with Philadelphia Union II this season. Earlier this year, Sullivan became the youngest player to debut for a North American major league sports team when he made his debut for the Union at the age of 14 years and 293 days old.
To be eligible for voting players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on October 19, and therefore must have been born after October 20, 2002. The all-time 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR winners are below. NOTE: prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.
Year | Player | Club | Current Club |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Diego Gómez | Inter Miami CF | Inter Miami CF |
2023 | Alan Velasco | FC Dallas | FC Dallas |
2022 | Jesús Ferreira | FC Dallas | FC Dallas |
2021 | Ricardo Pepi | FC Dallas | PSV (NED) |
2020 | Brenden Aaronson | Philadelphia Union | Leeds United (ENG) |
2019 | Diego Rossi | Los Angeles Football Club | Columbus Crew |
2018 | Alphonso Davies | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Bayern Munich (GER) |
2017 | Miguel Almiron | Atlanta United | Newcastle United (ENG) |
2016 | Cyle Larin | Orlando City SC | Mallorca (ESP) |
2015 | Fabián Castillo | FC Dallas | Deportivo Cali (COL) |
2014 | DeAndre Yedlin | Seattle Sounders FC | FC Cincinnati |
2013 | Darlington Nagbe | Portland Timbers | Columbus Crew |
2012 | Darren Mattocks | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | N/A |
2011 | Brek Shea | FC Dallas | N/A |
2010 | Fredy Montero | Seattle Sounders FC | Deportivo Cali (COL) |