Atlanta United – DM, David Ilevbare (2010)
Ilevbare has been playing up with the U-18 team for most of the season, and Atlanta is known to accelerate players through their pipeline if they rate them highly. I think Ilevbare falls into that category, and he has the profile to handle playing against older players. If he does get the opportunity, I will be excited to see how he handles it.

Austin FC – DM, Luke Chamberlain (2009)
‍While Austin doesn’t have a ton of future pro talent in their 2008 and 2009 classes, I am intrigued by Chamberlain, who has shown plus ability on the ball. I am not sure he is in Austin II’s plans this year, but hopefully he gets a chance to show what he can do in a more physical environment.

Charlotte FC – W, Daniel Brown (2011)
‍This might be a little ambitious, but I have heard Brown did very well in second-team preseason, which could give Charlotte the confidence to push him aggressively through the pipeline. He is the most talented player they have had since Nimfa Berchimas, and they need to prove they can manage their top talents well considering the current situation with Berchimas.

Chicago Fire – W/AM, Robert Turdean (2010)
‍Turdean is already signed to a pro deal, and I do expect him to get considerable opportunities with the second team this year. As a smaller player, he needs to continue to show that he can be productive at a more physical level.

FC Cincinnati – CM, Jack Mize (2008)
‍Mize spent the last couple of years at the globally recognized Borussia Dortmund academy in Germany. I have not seen a ton of him recently and am interested to see how that development has paid off.

Colorado Rapids – CB, Grant Gilmore (2008)
‍Gilmore is one of the more underrated players in the 2008 class. I liken him to Miles Robinson. He is a tremendous athlete who shows lockdown defensive ability, yet he is fairly pedestrian on the ball. If that side of his game improves, he has a very bright future. He is already signed to a pro deal, so hopefully he earns a significant role with the second team this year.

Columbus Crew – LWB, Prince Forfor (2009)
‍I thought Forfor might get more minutes with the second team last year, but the Crew decided to be more cautious with his development. This has to be the year where he becomes a consistent starter for the second team.

FC Dallas – CF/AM, Samuel Sedeh (2009)
‍I have heard Dallas is very high on Sedeh. I have seen flashes, but I am still a little skeptical, mainly because I am not sure what position he profiles at long term. I am hoping a productive season with the second team can change my mind.

Houston Dynamo– W/RB, Myles Gardner (2009)
‍The Dynamo always push a number of academy players into the second team, and while Gardner had a part-time role last year, my hope is that he earns a full-time role this year. He is arguably the top prospect in their academy. Now that Houston has signed Matthew Arana, there is hope they will take a stronger interest in promoting their top academy talents.

LA Galaxy – AM, Vincente Garcia (2010)
‍Garcia was one of the few 2010s to play somewhat regularly in MLS Next Pro last season, which indicates he should have a bigger role this year. He is another player who needs reps against bigger and stronger opponents.

LAFC – CM, Jude Terry (2008)
‍I do not necessarily want to see Terry predominantly in MLS Next Pro, but that seems to be where he is likely to play this year. I would prefer to see him in a rotational role with the first team. I am not particularly excited about any other young player coming through who is likely to play significant minutes in MLS Next Pro, so Terry is the default pick here.

Inter Miami – CB, RJ White (2009)
‍This is another speculative pick. Inter Miami has moved away from playing a large number of young players in MLS Next Pro over the last year, whereas that was the strategy in its early years. White is one of the top prospects in their academy, and I think it would benefit him greatly to earn second-team minutes this year.

Minnesota United – GK, Kayne Rizvanovich (2007)
‍Rizvanovich is the leading candidate to be the starting goalkeeper for the next USYNT U-20 cycle. Minnesota recently signed him to a pro deal, and he should be the starting keeper for the second team. He might only be a couple of years away from pushing for a first-team role, especially with Dayne St. Clair no longer in Minnesota.

Nashville SC – CF, Josh Swanzy (2008)
‍I am not convinced any academy player will get significant minutes with Huntsville this year. I was torn between Liam Devan and Swanzy but decided to go with the older prospect, who has an intriguing profile.

New England Revolution – CM, Judah Siqueira (2009)
‍Anyone who reads my work knows I am a big fan of Siqueira. He earned a light introduction to MLS Next Pro last year, and I expect he will be a fixture this season, hopefully showing U.S. Soccer he is worthy of a Youth National Team selection.

New York Red Bulls – GK, Toby Szewczyk (2009)
‍The Red Bulls have two good young keepers signed in Aidan Stokes and Szewczyk. I would expect both to split time in MLS Next Pro as they compete to be dubbed the future goalkeeper for RBNY.

New York City FC – W/CM, Jacob Arroyave (2007)
‍Arroyave has had a rough run with injuries over the last couple of years. He is a talented, left-footed player who can operate in midfield or on the wing. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year.

Orlando City – RB, Parker Amoo-Mensah (2008)
‍Amoo-Mensah is a player who has started to emerge for me this year. He is a former midfielder whom Orlando moved to right-back. My hope is that they give him a significant opportunity with the second team this season.

Philadelphia Union – CF, Malik Jakupovic (2009)
‍Jakupovic scored eight goals in just over 400 MLS Next Pro minutes last year — roughly a goal every 50 minutes. Those numbers are unlikely to be sustainable, but I am excited to see what he produces in a more full-time role.

Portland Timbers – W, Benjamin Barjolo (2007)
‍Barjolo has moved to Portland 2 from Orange County on a free transfer. His move from Atlanta United’s academy to Orange County did not go as well as he would have liked, but perhaps a fresh start in Portland can reignite his development.

Real Salt Lake – CF, Van Parker (2009)
‍Parker recently signed a homegrown deal with Real Salt Lake and is one of the hottest prospects in MLS right now. He will likely make his second-team debut quickly this season.

San Jose Earthquakes – CM, KK Spivey (2009)
‍Many have criticized how San Jose has handled Spivey’s development, myself included. Anything less than a full-time starting role in MLS Next Pro this year would be disappointing. I hope to see a brave, confident, and aggressive version of Spivey this season.

Seattle Sounders – W, Omar Hassan (2009)
‍Hassan has worked his way back from injury after showing some promising moments with the second team last year. He is one of the prospects considered “next up” in Seattle.

Sporting Kansas City – RB, Jack Francka (2009)
‍Francka is a player on the rise within SKC’s program. I have heard he had a very strong preseason with the second team and has been doing well in first-team training. He should be in line for significant minutes this year.

St. Louis City – AM, Eddie Niles (2010)
‍Niles has had a fantastic season with St. Louis City’s academy this year, and I am interested to see how aggressive they are with his development. The club has historically been conservative, but I think Niles is the best prospect in their organization, and I am intrigued to see if they treat him differently.