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MLS Unveils 2024 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR Class

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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.

2024 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOUR Class
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.

22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR Winners
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)