1. GK, William Mackay, Nashville SC (2008)
Minutes: 2099
G+: +6.43
Mackay had an extraordinary year as a shot-stopper in MLS NEXT Pro and is a legit candidate for Goalkeeper of the Year.
2. CM, Cristiano Oliveira, New England Revolution (2008)
Minutes: 1839
G+: +1.74
Goals: 1
Assists: 6
Oliveira put together his best MLSNP campaign in his second full season at this level. He was a dynamic playmaker from his midfield position all year. He'll need to find a higher level of competition next season, whether that's with the Revs or another club.
3. W, Eric Preston, LA Galaxy (2008)
Minutes: 1574
G+: +1.80
Goals: 10
Assists: 4
Preston was the most dynamic young attacker in MLSNP this year. He finished the season with the most goal contributions of anyone in this age group, showcasing his sharp 1v1 ability and efficiency in the final third.
4. W, Nimfasha Berchimas, Charlotte FC (2008)
Minutes: 1380
G+: +2.22
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Berchimas was on pace to finish at the top of this list in a landslide before suffering a broken foot at the Concacaf U20 Championship, which ended his campaign. He has no business being at this level once he's back.
5. DM, Deven Cardigan, Red Bull New York (2009)
Minutes: 2519
G+: -0.14
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Cardigan had big shoes to fill this year after top prospect Adri Mehmeti graduated to the first team. He led this group in minutes and was a solid cog in RBNY's midfield all season.
6. W, Dennis Nelich, Red Bull New York (2008)
Minutes: 1740
G+: +1.32
Goals: 7
Assists: 6
Nelich had a highly effective MLSNP campaign, which he leveraged into a first-team debut, a homegrown contract and his first United States Youth National Team selection with the U19s. That's quite a year!
7. RB/W, Sean Baitinger, Red Bull New York (2008)
Minutes: 1386
G+: +1.66
Goals: 5
Assists: 4
No player improved his stock more in MLSNP than Baitinger, who went from somewhat of an afterthought to looking like one of the top players in the 2008 class. Word is he could be close to signing a hybrid MLSNP/homegrown deal with RBNY.
8. CB, Kike Martinez, LA Galaxy (2008)
Minutes: 2166
G+: -0.21
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
Martinez is the highest-ranked center-back on this list after a solid first year of full-time duty at this level. He probably needs another half-season to full season in MLSNP before he's ready for a new challenge.
9. CF, Chase Adams, Columbus Crew (2008)
Minutes: 1591
G+: +0.89
Goals: 10
Assists: 2
It feels like Adams has been scoring goals in MLSNP for a long time now. He finally got his shot with the first team and scored in his first MLS start, becoming the Crew's youngest-ever goal scorer in a league match. Hopefully next year he earns a full-time role.
10. AM, KK Spivey, San Jose Earthquakes (2009)
Minutes: 2066
G+: -0.25
Goals: 4
Assists: 3
Spivey has long been a top 2009 prospect, and while he hasn't elevated his game like some of the other top 2009s, it's great to see him produce admirably in MLSNP. He needs to command the ball more consistently. If he can add that, he should become a regular for San Jose's first team at some point next season.
11. CB, Christopher Cupps, Chicago Fire (2008)
Minutes: 1340
G+: +1.16
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Cupps looked like he was above this level, but for whatever reason, this is where most of his minutes came this season. He recently landed a loan to Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, the second tier in Scotland.
12. DM, Decarlo Guerra, LAFC (2008)
Minutes: 2197
G+: -0.70
Goals: 3
Assists: 4
This was Guerra's third season in MLSNP, and from the outside it looks like he's ready for a bigger challenge. He wasn't quite as effective as he was last year, though there may be factors at play that aren't obvious. Hopefully he gets an opportunity to play at a higher level next season.
13. DM, Peter Molinari, NYCFC (2009)
Minutes: 1757
G+: +0.18
Goals: 0
Assists: 2
Molinari improved a lot in his second season in MLSNP. His ball progression through passing stood out most.
14. CB, Grant Gilmore, Colorado Rapids (2008)
Minutes: 1738
G+: +0.21
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Gilmore is an undersized but explosive center-back who was highly disruptive in his first full season in MLSNP.
15. CM, Vinny Garcia, LA Galaxy (2010)
Minutes: 1966
G+: -0.26
Goals: 3
Assists: 7
Garcia was one of the youngest full-time players in MLSNP this year, and no 2010 performed better. He's on a similar trajectory to Adri Mehmeti, which means he could become a key player for LA Galaxy next year.
16. RB, Parker Amoo-Mensah, Orlando City (2008)
Minutes: 2258
G+: -0.89
Goals: 0
Assists: 4
Amoo-Mensah followed a very good academy season with a strong MLSNP campaign, and he's leveraged that development opportunity into his first United States Youth National Team selection.
17. DM/CB, Chase Nagle, Chicago Fire (2008)
Minutes: 2036
G+: -0.77
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Nagle is the highest-ranked player on this list who isn't signed to a professional contract.
18. W, Matthew Belgodere, Orlando City (2009)
Minutes: 1728
G+: -0.22
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
Belgodere quietly had an effective season and is the highest-ranked attacking 2009 on this list. Dribbling is his standout trait, and it translated well to this level.
19. CM, Liam Lambert, LAFC (2008)
Minutes: 1119
G+: +0.87
Goals: 2
Assists: 5
Lambert had a really nice comeback season after spending a while in no man's land. The one-time USYNT player's ball progression and playmaking stood out in the second half of the season.
20. W, Damyan Villanueva, Chicago Fire (2008)
Minutes: 1592
G+: -0.28
Goals: 6
Assists: 7
Villanueva is another player who leveraged a solid MLSNP season into his first United States Youth National Team selection. His dribbling and playmaking stood out this year, as did his 13 goal contributions.
