Philadelphia remains at the top despite the 2009 class, outside of Cavan Sullivan, looking like one of their weaker classes in some time. They will need to rebound with the 2010 class with RBNY knocking on the door. Nonetheless, they are still stacked from a talent perspective. They have the top U.S. prospect in the country in Cavan Sullivan and the top 2007 prospect in Neil Pierre. They have four total players in my top 50 rankings and seven of their players are in the top 20 of their respective class rankings.

Developmentally they continue to show that they can prepare their players for the subsequent level. I see consistent growth from players year to year and they have done as good of a job exporting talent to Europe as any MLS club in recent years. They seem to have a logical approach to promoting players through the pathway and they have used MLS Next Pro well to test their young players. They only pathway move I question as of late is not getting Olney on a first team, I am not sure what the hold up is there.

From a player retention standpoint, an academy as talented and deep as their is going to have attrition. In recent years they have lost Marcos Zambrano, Bajung Darboe, Devin De Corte, Jeremiah White and Stefan Chirila. Zambrano was always going to be a tough signing. They could never agree to terms with Darboe and with Minnesota United for his rights. De Corte might have been poor talent identification because he has done well in Belgium since leaving Philly. Chirila was another talent evaluation miss. He has exploded at FC Cincinnati and appears that Philly was playing him out of position as a midfielder instead of a striker.

1. CM, Cavan Sullivan (2009)
2. CB, Neil Pierre (2007)
3. AM/WING, CJ Olney (2006)
4. WING, Jamir Johnson (2008)
5. AM/WING, David Vazquez (2006)
6. CF, Anisse Saidi (2008)
7. CF, Malik Jakupovic (2009)
8. Peter Doran (2008)
9. Peyton Presson (2008)
10. Jordan Griffin (2008)

All but one of RBNY's top 10 prospects are from the 2008 and 2009 class and that does not count Jack Mize who left for Borussia Dortmund. They have put together stacked back to back classes and 2010 looks promising as well. The problem is that their 2005 to 2007 classes are struggling. They lost a key player in Nate Worth from the 2007 class and the other two classes just haven't netted much. Bento Estrela hasn't quite lived up to the type and Davi Alexandre hasn't taken the steps forward they would have hoped.

Is the problem with the 2005 - 2007 bad luck or bad development? They answer is usually somewhere in the middle. It will be interesting to see how the 2008 and 2009 class turn out and that will be a great barometer for their ability to develop and nurture top talent.

Losses: White, Worth, Davis, Mize, Lester brothers

1. WING, Julian Hall (2008)
2. DM, Adri Mehmeti (2009)
3. DM/CB, Caleb Simmons (2009)
4. GK, Aidan Stokes (2008)
5. RB, Alexito Gomez (2009)
6. CM, Gil de Souza (2008)
7. CB, Josh Munson (2009)
8. CB, Astin Mbaye (2009)
9. DM, Bento Estrela (2006)
10. CB, Sebastian Chavez (2008)

No club scours the United States harder for talent than RSL. They envision a future where the majority of their roster consists of homegrown players. Will that happen? Unlikely, but I love the ambition.

In the next few years we are going to see if their scouting and development efforts will come good. Gavin Beavers looks like he will lead the way, looking like he is ready to take over the starting goalkeeping responsibilities now. After that, I am looking at Zavier Gozo, their top prospect and overall top 50 player. Overall, RSL have five players in their respective class rankings top 20 and many other players with professional trajectories.

Improvement and development have been a small concern for RSL. Many players look like top prospects at the U15 or U17 level, but do not continue on that path as they move up to the professional ranks. Let's see if that trend continues or changes with the 2007/2008/2009 classes.

RSL has been committed to moving players aggressively through the pipeline, especially from U15 to U17 to MLS Next Pro. The path has not been as open at the first team level, that is mostly because players have not gotten to that level.

From a retention standpoint, RSL does a good job keeping their top talent recently. The most talented player they lost recently was center-back Josh Munson, who now plays at RBNY.

WING, Zavier Gozo (2007)
GK, Gavin Beavers (2005)
RB, Linkon Ream (2009)
RB, Gio Villa (2008)
CM/AM, Owen Anderson (2007)
CM, Luca Moisa (2008)
CF, Axel Kei (2007)
WING, Aiden Hezarkhani (2007)
CB, Camron Estala (2008)
WING, Omar Marquez (2008)

NYCFC does not invest as many resources as their rivals in recruitment, but they know how to identify their top players, develop them and prioritize them. They have the most talented 2007 class in MLS with three homegrowns and Jacob Arroyave could be another. Maxi Carrizo is a top 10 U.S. prospect and is getting close to his MLS debut at the age of 16.

Developmentally, they do a good job grooming technical players with a decent understanding of playing expansive soccer. There players tend to get better and add to their game as they move through the pathway and new players tend to emerge at later stages — all good signs.

They are not afraid to sign young players to first team contracts early, perhaps too early at times, but it's great to see them give their academy kids that opportunity. It's been good to see Christian McFarlane get a chance with the first team. Carrizo and Baiera shouldn't be too far behind.

The biggest challenge they face is retention. They seem to lose a lot of top players early in the process. Julian Hall, Sebastian Chavez, Davi Alexandre, Sean Petrie and Dino Klpajia are all talented players that have been in their system and left, many to their biggest rivals, New York Red Bulls.

1. AM, Maximo Carrizo (2008)
2. LB, Christian McFarlane (2007)
3. RB, Drew Baiera (2007)
4. CM/AM, Jonny Shore (2007)
5. CM, Jacob Arroyave (2007)
6. CF, James Bilden (2009)
7. CB, Lance Lessey (2009)
8. GK, Alexander Yagudayev (2006)
9. W, Dylan Thomas (2008)
10. CF, Zidane Yanez (2008)

Tktk

1. WING, Esmir Bajraktarevic (2005)
2. CM, Noel Buck (2005)
3. LB, Peyton Miller (2007)
4. CM, Cristiano Oliveira (2008)
5. RB, Damario McIntosh (2007)
6. WING, Olger Escobar (2006)
7. WING/CF, Cristiano Carlos (2008)
8. CB, Tiago Suarez (2005)
9. WING, Judah Siqueira (2009)
10. WING, Malcolm Fry (2005)

Seattle runs a highly efficient academy. It may not be as talent rich as other territories in the top 10, but they don't lose a lot of guys from their region and they do a good job of identifying talent in neighboring areas. Baker-Whiting, Vargas and Hassan are all big time talents and Baker-Whiting and Vargas have key roles on the first team. They do as good job as any clubs bringing through academy talent and integrating them with veteran players. The next step is showing that they can export talent to bigger leagues in Europe. Baker-Whiting and Vargas are both approaching that possibility. Hassan has the potential to be one of the best players to come out of their academy and his journey will be a key one to track over the next four to five years.

They do a consistently good job developing their top players and preparing them well for first team soccer. Many players from their academy have contributed to the first team and look like highly competent players. I also think they have a good sense of who to move through the academy system faster than others. Additionally, the Sounders really have not lost any players of note in recent history.

RB/LB, Reed Baker-Whiting (2005)
DM, Obed Vargas (2005)
WING, Omar Hassan (2009)
RB, Etienne Veillard (2007)
CB, Duncan Green (2009)
AM, Kelvin Luis-Brito (2008)
CM/DM, Synder Brunell (2007)
CB, Stuart Hawkins (2006)
CB, Gallatin Sandnes (2008)
CF/CM, Ronan Leeming (2009)

No club has taken a bigger jump forward over the last year than Columbus.

1. LB, Prince Forfor (2009)
2. CF/WING, Jamil Danjiji (2010)
3. CF, Chase Adams (2008)
4. CM, Taha Habroune (2006)
5. LB, Tristan Brown (2007)
6. RB, Owen Presthus (2006)
7. CM, Cole Mrowka (2006)
8. AM, Isaac Tortola (2008)
9. WING, Immanuel Ewing (2009)
10. CB, Austin Su (2008)

San Jose could and likely should be near the top of this list.

Losses: Luna, Barajas, Murray, Kohler, Dougan, Anderson, Rosic, Tan

CM, KK Spivey (2009)
CM, Niko Tsakiris (2005)
CF, Tomo Allen (2007)
GK, Marcelo Avalos (2009)
RB, Oscar Verhoeven (2006)
AM, Cruz Medina (2006)
AM, Will Ostrander (2009)
GK, Emmanuel Ochoa (2005)
DM, Edwyn Mendoza (2006)
DM/CM, Rohan Rajagopal (2007)

Dallas was once the pinnacle of United States development, but others have caught up and are passing them by.

Losses: Eyestone, Corcoran, Vargas

WING, Tarik Scott (2005)
RB, Malachi Molina (2006)
LB/DM, Nolan Norris (2005)
LB, Zach Molomo (2008)
DM, Isaiah Kaakoush (2008)
AM, Gabriel Mendonça (2007)
CM, Alejandro Urzua (2006)
AM, Leo Orejarena (2007)
AM, Steel Cook (2009)
CM, Caleb Swann (2007)

Losses: Jamison, Gray, Barjolo, Ritarita, Villal, Campbell

DM/CM, Adyn Torres (2007)
LB, Dominik Chong Qui (2007)
WING, Luke Brennan (2005)
CB, Kaiden Moore (2007)
CM, Cooper Sanchez (2008)
CB, Ethan Degny (2009)
CF, Rodrigo Neri (2005)
CB, Noah Cobb (2005)
WING/CF, Ashton Gordon (2007)
DM, Julian Bretous (2007)

Losses: Perez, Scabin, Perkovich, Ellis

1. CM, Benja Cremaschi (2005)
2. CF, Zidane Cadet (2009)
3. CF, Bryan Destin (2006)
4. AM, Santiago Morales (2007)
5. DM, Jack Pymm (2007)
6. CB, Nicholas Almeida (2007)
7. WING, Daniel Pinter (2007)
8. WING, Sergio Perello (2008)
9. LB, Gabriel Florentino (2009)
10. CB, Tyler Hall (2006)

Losses: Diaz, Lumsden, Lambert

1. DM/CM, Jude Terry (2008)
2. DM, Decarlo Guerra (2008)
3. CB, Tyson Espy (2009)
4. AM, Ademar Chavez (2009)
5. RB, Ajani Nixon (2006)
6. CB, Adrian Sanders (2008)
7. LB, Pedro Guimaraes (2008)
8. WING, Adrian Wibowo (2006)
9. WING, Bajung Darboe (2006)
10. WING, Adrian Samayoa (2007)

Tktk

CF, Stefan Chirila (2007)
GK, Kayne Rizvanovich (2007)
DM, Stiven Jimenez (2007)
WING/RB, Jaylen Lester (2008)
WING, Chance Malilo (2009)
AM, Justin Hylton (2007)
CB, Blake Bayless (2007)
LB, William Kuisel (2008)
CF/WING, Aldair Flowers (2007)
WING, Spencer Willis (2008)

Losses: Villa, Aiyenero, Orejarena

1. AM/CF, Robert Turdean (2010)
2. WING/AM, Dylan Borso (2006)
3. CB, Christopher Cupps (2008)
4. WING, Gio Granda (2007)
5. WING, Darris Hyte (2009)
6. GK, Patrick Los (2007)
7. WING, Vitaliy Hlyut (2008)
8. CM, Roko Pehar (2009)
9. CM, Sergio Oregel (2005)
10. CB, Hugo Berg (2009)

Losses: Campagnolo

1. CF, Justin Ellis (2007)
2. WING, Jakob Garcia (2009)
3. AM, Gustavo Caraballo Delgado (2008)
4. CB, Jackson Platts (2007)
5. LB, Tahir Reid-Brown (2006)
6. DM, Colin Guske (2007)
7. AM, Favion Loyola (2005)
8. CF, Zach Olah (2009)
9. DM, Dylan Judelson (2008)
10. DM/CB, Caleb Trombino (2009)

Tktk

CF, Caden Glover (2007)
DM, Miguel Perez (2005)
WING, Mykhi Joyner (2006)
RB/DM, Tyson Pearce (2007)
CB, Jacksen McNeal (2007)
WING, Lorenzo Cornelius (2007)
AM, Aaron Heard (2006)
DM, Carson Locker (2007)
CB, Bijan Champagne (2008)
WING, Chianozie Nwankwo (2009)

Tktk

1. WING, Nimfasha Berchimas (2008)
2. CB, Jaydus Camacho (2008)
3. CM, Aron John (2006)
4. GK, Nick Holliday (2006)
5. WING, Brian Romero (2006)
6. WING, Rocket Ritarita (2007)
7. CB, Jack Neeley (2005)
8. CB, James Nyandjo (2007)
9. CF, Chandler Young (2006)
10. CF, Sebastian Bourget (2007)

Losses: Albert, Sanchez, Alcala, Rudisill, Placias

AM, Juan Martinez (2010)
CM, Vicente Garcia (2010)
RB, Harbor Miller (2007)
GK, Owen Pratt (2008)
CB, Jose Magana (2007)
CF, Maximus Steelman (2009)
RB, Edward Chadwick (2009)
AM, Ruben Ramos (2007)
CB, Matteo McClean (2009)
CB, Enrique Martinez (2007)

Tktk

GK, Adam Beaudry (2006)
GK, Zackory Campagnolo (2007)
AM/WING, Alex Hernandez (2010)
WING, Colton Swan (2007)
CM, Noah Strellnauer (2007)
CF, Maxim Scordo (2007)
AM/WING, Rogelio Garcia (2008)
CB, Parker Sturgis (2008)
LB, Miguel Alvarado (2008)
CB, Kamal Sawadogo (2009)

Losses: Augustin, Ibeanu

RB, Daniel Wright (2009)
AM, Micah Burton (2006)
DM, Ervin Torres Jr (2007)
CB, Gavin Wolff (2008)
WING, Viggo Ortiz (2008)
LB, Anthony de Anda (2005)
GK, Thomas Burchfield (2009)
AM, Bryan Arellano (2005)
AM, Joah Reyna (2007)
WING, Isaiah Tatum (2009)

Losses: Borges, Wells, Heard

1. CB, Matai Akinmboni (2006)
2. WING, Kristian Fletcher (2005)
3. WING, Gavin Turner (2007)
4. CM, Nelson Hernandez (2007)
5. LB, Graham Jones (2006)
6. CB, Braydon Stevens (2009)
7. RB, Simi Sowemimo (2009)
8. WING, Teymour Mohammed (2006)
9. CB, Alan Flores (2008)
10. LB, Emmanuel Akinkoye (2007)

Losses: Hamouda, Pukstas

CB, Ian James (2008)
WING, Kashan Hines (2009)
LB, Leo Christiano (2007)
GK, Jack Kortkamp (2008)
DM, Jack Francka (2009)
CB, Nate Young (2008)
LB, Nati Clarke (2005)
GK, Jacob Molinari (2007)
AM, Johann Ortiz (2007)
CF, Tomiwa Adewumi (2008)

Losses: A. Gitau, L. Gitau, Moreno

CM, Brooklyn Raines (2005)
DM, Sebastian Rodriguez (2007)
WING, Mattheo Dimareli (2009)
CM, Matthew Arana (2010)
CB, Tate Lampman (2006)
WING/CF, Myles Gardner (2009)
CM, Lukas Bruegmann (2009)
CB, Daniel Barrett (2009)
DM, Matthew Hinds (2009)
WING/AM, Jahmani Bell (2007)

Tktk

LB/CB, Liam Devan (2009)
AM, Tyler Pasnik (2005)
CF, Adem Sipic (2006)
WING/CF, Maximus Ekk (2005)
CB, Chris Applewhite (2007)
CB, Scott Cheevers (2007)
RB/CM, Isaiah Jones (2006)
RB, Charly Dealmonte (2008)
AM, Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez (2006)
WING, Dominic Wilson (2006)

Losses: Pelayo, Shaul

CF, Noah Santos (2007)
CB, August Nystrom (2009)
RB, Sawyer Jura (2006)
AM, Daniel Nunez (2008)
CM, Adolfo Enriquez (2006)
WING, Max Eisenberg (2007)
CB, Maximo Nystrom (2007)
WING, Mataeo Bunbury (2005)
CF, Dario White (2008)
CF, Elias Walker (2009)

Minnesota sits in dead last and by a decent margin.

Losses: Clark, Burton, Forfor, Kortkamp, Darboe

WING, Darius Randell (2007)
WING, Tim Dennis (2009)
WING, Issa Saidi (2008)
RB, Prince Massaquoi (2008)
CF, Julian Banks (2006)
DM, Justin Arias (2006)
CB, Mohammed Bojang (2008)
WING/LB, Jadan Bernard (2009)
DM/CB, Maxwell Harwood (2010)
AM, Kage Romanshyn Jr (2005)