US/SC – MLS Next Pro 2025 U18 Impact Rankings

The 2025 MLS Next Pro regular season is complete, and it’s time to highlight the top U-18 performers — players born in 2007 or later. MLS Next Pro continues to have its challenges, but it’s gradually improving. The addition of more independent, non-MLS-affiliated teams has raised the league’s competitiveness and professionalism. As the youth pipeline in the United States deepens, the overall talent and depth will continue to grow.

While still inconsistent in quality, MLS Next Pro has proven to be a decent signal for future MLS success. Players like Alex Freeman, Taha Habroune, Luca Bombino, Andrew Rick, Frankie Westfield, and Peyton Miller all used the league as a springboard, performing well in Next Pro before transitioning effectively to MLS.

MLS clubs are using the league in several ways: to give minutes to the lower end of their first-team roster, to extend their academy pathway for top prospects, to test young international talent, and to offer college players a professional entry point — the least productive approach, in my view.

Picking the top twenty isn’t straightforward. Some players logged heavy MLS Next Pro minutes and produced strong “impact numbers,” while others split time between MLS and Next Pro, contributing fewer minutes but showing higher-level impact. Here’s this year’s list:

1. W, Julien Lacher, NYCFC (2007)

You’re probably asking how a winger with 14 goal contributions who just turned 18 isn’t signed to a homegrown deal. Lacher has always produced, but he may lack the physical traits to consistently impact MLS games — and NYCFC might feel the same. Even so, he’s a player who maximizes his ability and finds ways to be effective.

2. DM, Decarlo Guerra, LAFC (2008)

Guerra isn’t as highly touted as fellow 2008 LAFC midfielder Jude Terry, but it was Guerra who put together the more impressive season and now looks close to MLS-ready. He’s the highest-ranked 2008 on this list.

3. CF, Justin Ellis, Orlando City (2007)

Ellis is the only striker here. He started the season on fire, cooled off a bit, and still finished with strong numbers. Finishing consistency has been his question mark, but 13 goal contributions is solid. The big question now is where he’ll be playing next season.

4. DM, Sebastian Rodriguez, Houston Dynamo (2007)

Rodriguez had a productive campaign and looks ready to move beyond MLS Next Pro, but players like Brooklyn Raines block his path to first-team minutes. His next step will be an interesting one.

5. CB, Neil Pierre, Philadelphia Union (2007)

Pierre looked like one of the top young center-backs in the league — which tracks, because that’s exactly what he is. Philadelphia seem hesitant to rush him into MLS action, but there’s only one way to find out if he’s ready.

6. RB/W, Harbor Miller, LA Galaxy (2007)

Miller might have been near the top of this list had he not earned significant first-team minutes late in the season. He looks clearly above this level and should take on a more consistent and prominent MLS role next year.

7. GK, Patrick Los, Chicago Fire (2007)

Los posted outstanding numbers this season, but it wasn’t enough to earn a contract from Chicago, a club stacked with young goalkeeping talent. He’s now playing collegiately at the University of Michigan.

8. CM, Cristiano Oliveira, New England Revolution (2008)

Oliveira — the second 2008 on this list — now has more than 2,500 minutes in MLS Next Pro and could soon be pushing for a first-team role.

9. W, Aiden Hezarkhani, Real Salt Lake (2007)

Hezarkhani really impressed in the matches I reviewed. He’s brave, confident, and tricky in one-on-one situations. The question is whether he has enough pace to replicate that impact in MLS, but we might find out soon — especially if Gozo moves to Europe.

10. CM, Ervin Torres, Austin FC (2007)

Torres is probably the only Austin FC Academy product right now with real first-team potential. He had a steady season and could be Owen Wolff’s successor in midfield if Wolff is sold this winter.

11. W, Gabriel Wesseh, Atlanta United (2008)

Wesseh came out of nowhere this year. A former Philadelphia Union academy player, he got lost in that deep 2008 group but broke out in Atlanta with an electric MLS Next Pro campaign. A homegrown deal could be on the horizon.

12. GK, Kayne Rizvanovich, Minnesota United (2007)

Rizvanovich’s move from FC Cincinnati to Minnesota paid off. He delivered a strong season and remains one of the top goalkeepers in the 2007 U.S. youth pool.

13. AM, Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union (2009)

The first 2009 on this list appears this low only because he spent so much time with the first team. No field player posted a higher G+ rating, and he tallied 11 goal contributions in under 1,000 minutes. If he’d played the full season, his numbers would have been outrageous. Hopefully this was his final year in Philadelphia.

14. GK, Zack Campagnolo, Colorado Rapids (2007)

Campagnolo is another 2007 goalkeeper who excelled this season. Like Rizvanovich, he’s among the top options in his USYNT age group.

15. CB, Andrei Chirila, FC Cincinnati (2008)

A former Philadelphia Union academy player, Chirila joined Cincinnati over a year ago and advanced quickly through their system. He became a locked-in starter for the second team and performed steadily throughout the year.

16. DM, Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls (2009)

The Red Bulls absolutely love this kid. The only other 2009 on the list besides Sullivan, Mehmeti logged heavy minutes for a winning team. Don’t be surprised if he’s starting in midfield for the first team at some point next season.

17. CB, Jose Magaña, LA Galaxy (2007)

Magaña had a solid season, but his short-term future is unclear. The Galaxy will be pushing to rebound from a disappointing year, and relying on a young center-back might not fit their plans.

18. CM, Jude Terry, LAFC (2008)

It’s unclear what LAFC are doing with Terry, and it’s concerning given how promising he is. He barely played down the stretch as LAFC opted for older players with limited upside. He’ll be a key figure at the upcoming U-17 World Cup, but another full MLS Next Pro season may not be ideal for his development.

19. RB, Drew Baiera, NYCFC (2007)

Baiera looks ready for the next step, but he’s stuck behind a crowded group of right-backs on NYCFC’s first team. A move elsewhere might be best for his progression.

20. CB, Isaac Mwakutuya, Houston Dynamo (2007)

Not one of the bigger names here, but Mwakutuya quietly put together a very steady season for Houston.

MLS Next Pro U18 Impact Rankings