There are two components to the list: Players currently signed to the academy and players not in the academy but protected within a club’s territory.

For signed players, each academy can protect up to 35 players across the U-19 through U-15 age groups.

For unsigned players, each academy has a defined territory. Territory size varies by club. For example, Seattle Sounders control all of Washington and Hawaii, while Inter Miami CF operate within a 75-mile radius of their headquarters. From within that territory, each academy can protect five players who have been formally offered a roster spot but declined. This is commonly referred to as the “+5 list.”

The protected list is updated twice per year: once in winter (late January) and again at the end of summer (early September). The winter update is especially important because it is the first opportunity clubs have to protect the next U-15 class. In this most recent update, that means the 2012 birth year.

If a player is on an academy’s +5 list, that club holds their Homegrown rights. If another MLS academy wants to sign that player, they will  need to negotiate for those rights, making it difficult to play for another MLS Academy.

Atlanta United
AM — Jack Wayne, Philadelphia Union (2008)
CB — Ethan Degny, Nice (2009)
W — Neville Knowles, Villarreal (2011)

Atlanta have two of the most talented players on any +5 list in Degny and Knowles. Both are Youth National Team-level talents and both took advantage of opportunities to move abroad to major European academies. Atlanta is one of the richest talent areas in the country — and they lose as much talent as any club in MLS.

Austin FC
W/AM — Viggo Ortiz, Charleston Battery (2008)
CM — Warren Agostini, Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2008)
DM — Landry Walker, San Antonio FC (2009)
DM — Ryan Arsmendiz, San Antonio FC (2010)
CF — Zeke Snow, Utah Avalanche (2010)

Walker is the player Austin would most like to secure from this group. He would immediately become one of their top prospects, but they have not been able to pry him away from San Antonio FC, who appear to have a strong development plan in place.

Charlotte FC
CF — Kevin Howard, North Carolina FC (2009)
W/RB — Champ Holder Jr., Carolina Core (2011)
GK — Dillon Wilson, North Carolina FC (2012)
CF — Jordan Hatchell, North Carolina FC (2012)

North Carolina FC control several players Charlotte would love to add. Howard has been on this list for a long time and attended a USYNT camp early in his U-15 cycle. Holder is an intriguing talent with significant upside. I’ve heard very good things about Wilson but have not seen him in person.

Chicago Fire
GK — Jayden Serrano, Pony’s FC (2011)
CB — Connor Curtin, Chicago FC United (2011)
CM — Ivan Donchak, Sockers (2011)
CM — Owen Fried, Hajduk Split (2012)

Donchak would be a strong addition to Chicago’s 2011 class, but there has historically been tension between the Fire and Sockers. Fried was with Chicago last year but moved to Croatia. He was arguably their top 2012 player. Chicago rarely recruit outside their territory, so securing local talent is critical.

FC Cincinnati
Cincinnati does not have the strongest talent region, but they do a good job of signing the talent that is there, as a result, they do not currently have anyone on their +5 list.

Colorado Rapids
DM — Luka Rosic, Oakland Roots (2008)
DM — Cruz Tomori, New Mexico Rapids (2010)
CB — Jayden Graciano, Pachuca (2011)
W — Max Hawkins, Real Colorado (2012)
AM — Juan Guerrero, Albion Colorado (2012)

Graciano is reportedly a strong prospect, though I have not seen him. Guerrero is expected to join the Rapids before next season.

Columbus Crew
CM — Austin Su, Michigan Nationals (2008)
RB — Joah Benjamin, Ohio Premier (2008)
CF — Apolo Marinch, Orange County SC (2010)
DM — Connor Britt, Team Challenger FC (2010)
DM — Owen Britt, Team Challenger FC / Club Ohio (2012)

Much of Columbus’ list consists of players who were previously in the academy but left. Su was once viewed as a blue-chip prospect, but injuries stalled his development. Marinch signed professionally with Orange County and could be Europe-bound in the near future.

D.C. United
CB — Miller Heaven, Bethesda (2008)
CB — Marc Vignier, Virginia Development Academy (2012)
W — Israel Oraegbu, Bethesda Royal (2012)
CM — Bryan Hernandez, Alexandria (2012)

D.C. United removed Gustavo Borges (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Jacob Mays (Pipeline) from their list. Both are very talented. Heaven has been protected for some time. Mays might be committed to them for next season. The three 2012s are all committed to playing for DC next year.

FC Dallas
CF — Caleb Wegman, Without Club (2009)
AM — Steel Cook, Without Club (2009)
CF — Heaven Musanga, Dallas Texans (2011)
CM — Uriel Mendoza, Solar SC (2011)
CM — Mason Bathurst, Dallas Texans (2012)

Dallas consistently face competition from strong local clubs. Wegman, a unique and high-ceiling athlete, chose to pursue American football. Cook has been involved with USYNT but left Dallas without a confirmed destination. Musanga is reportedly an intriguing prospect.

Houston Dynamo
LB — Emilio Maldonado, GFI (2011)
CM — Gianni Hiwiller, Barca Residency (2011)
AM — Darwin Yair Lopez, Barca Residency (2011)
Johnny Alexander Cuero (2012)
AM — Geronimo Ritchey, GFI (2012)

Yair Lopez is the standout talent here and appears unlikely to sign. Information on Cuero remains limited.

Inter Miami CF
GK — Marco Simon (2008)
Pyter Bruno, Athletum (2009)
AM — David Uranga, Athletum (2009)
AM/W — Thomas Alejandro Castro Gomez, South Florida FA (2012)

Uranga is a Venezuelan Youth National Team player and one of the most sought-after prospects in the region. Miami also have several notable players they chose not to protect — more on that in a future piece.

LA Galaxy
W — Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund (2009)
RB — Eddie Chadwick, Without Club (2009)
CM — Elliot Jhang, TFA (2010)
DM — Aaron Ayala, Legends SC (2012)

Albert was a massive loss, but there was little the club could do given global interest and his ability to leave for Europe at such a young age. Chadwick has trained with Ipswich Town but registration complications remain.

LAFC
CB — Tyson Espy, Orange County SC (2009)
CM — Renden Thomas, AV Alta FC (2009)
CB — Samuel Berger, Strikers (2010)
Giovanni Tamayo (2011)
Zico Sitompul (2011)

Espy was a huge loss for LAFC and Thomas was also a departure, though not as significant. Berger has been on their list for some time. I do not have much information on the two 2011s. LAFC are losing high-end talent at a concerning rate compared to other MLS academies.

Minnesota United
DM — Collin Thorpe, Elmbrook United (2011)
CM — Dylan Connor, FC Wisconsin Nationals (2011)

Minnesota’s +5 list is small and relatively quiet compared to other clubs. I am not deeply familiar with either player.

Nashville SC
CB/RB — Henry Rasmussen, Tennessee SC (2009)

Rasmussen is the lone protected player for Nashville. I have limited exposure to his game, but Nashville generally do a solid job consolidating in-territory talent and rarely leave obvious prospects unprotected.

New England Revolution
W — Julian Martinez, Boston Bolts (2009)
W/AM — Ben Quirino-Silva, IFA (2009)
AM/W — Will Recupero, VfB Stuttgart (2010)
W — Rikelme de Almeida, Athletico Paranaense (2011)

The Revolution would have loved to retain Recupero, but Germany was always the likely destination. De Almeida was another difficult loss abroad. Martinez and Quirino-Silva remain strong local prospects. Logan Moniz is notably no longer on the list and is expected to join a Bundesliga academy this summer.

New York Red Bulls
CB — Astin Mbaye, AC Milan (2009)
W/CF — Timothy McFarland, Retired (2009)
W — Chris Fitanidis, Cedar Stars Bergen (2011)
CF — Leonardo Andrade, Cedar Stars Bergen (2012)

Mbaye’s move to Europe hurt, but was difficult to prevent given the opportunity to join such a prostegious club in AC Milan. McFarland retired due to injuries, which is unfortunate given his potential. Fitanidis is arguably one of the best unacademy-affiliated players in the country and is protected by both New York clubs. With a Greek passport, Europe seems likely at 16.

New York City FC
W — Julien Lacher, Without Club (2007)
W — Chris Fitanidis, Cedar Stars Bergen (2011)
LB/W — Matthew Brusco, Cedar Stars Bergen (2011)

Fitanidis has already been discussed — one of the top unacademy players in the country and protected by both New York clubs. Brusco is another high-level talent. Currently deployed as a left winger, I see significant long-term upside at left back. There are rumors he likes being able to play high school soccer, which complicates the academy pathway decision. Lacher performed well in MLS Next Pro, but seems to have left the club.

Orlando City SC
CB — Kevin Keita (2009)
W — Daniel Slepushkin (2010)
GK — Cooper Williams, Sol SC Florida (2011)
LB — Noah Philips, Florida Kraze (2011)
CB — Andrew Yocum, Sol SC Florida (2012)

Orlando are typically aggressive within their territory. Keita was developing well before relocating to France for family reasons. Slepushkin departed the academy and his next destination is unclear.

Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union, like FC Cincinnati, do not currently have any players on their +5 list. They consistently secure the top players they prioritize within their territory.

Portland Timbers
W — Edwin Cuevas George, McMinnville High School (2009)

Cuevas George has been protected for some time. I have not seen him play personally.

Real Salt Lake
W — Cyrus Kowall, Phoenix Rising (2009)
AM — Graham Ford, Barca Residency (2010)
CM — Jaethan Irwin, Phoenix Rising (2011)
CB — Wes Wolfley, Phoenix Rising (2011)
CM/W — Arman Alagha, Barca Residency (2011)

Real Salt Lake may have the most talented +5 list in MLS. Several are USYNT-level prospects. Kowall is returning from a serious knee injury but has significant upside.

San Diego FC
LB — Easton Odom, Barca Residency (2011)
CB — Ethan O’Neil, Barca Residency (2011)
W/AM — Mason Jackson, Barca Residency (2011)
CB — Know Larson, City SC San Diego (2012)
AM — Jack Rayden, City SC Carlsbad (2012)

San Diego’s list is loaded, partly because they only have a 2013 class right now. Odom is a top-15 2011 nationally. O’Neil and Jackson have USYNT experience. Larson is an intriguing center-back with size and passing range.

San Jose Earthquakes
RB — Oliver Tan, Famalicão (2008)
DM — Drew Byrnes, Woodside Crush (2009)
CM — Lessandro Villegas, Bay Area Surf (2009)
CM — Julian Villa Berber, Bay Area Surf (2011)
CB — Christopher Juillard, Bay Area Surf (2011)

Tan is clearly the top talent on this list and departed for Portugal over a year ago. The remainder of the group is solid, though without elite national-profile names. It is somewhat surprising to see no 2012s protected given the strength of there territory.

Seattle Sounders
AM — Jayden Gonzalez, Club América (2011)
LB — Abdulrahman Hamadi, Pacific Northwest FC (2012)
AM — Max Hunter, Seattle United (2012)
W — Juan Pablo Perez, Crossfire Premier (2012)
CM — Aeden Suh, Eastside SC (2012)

Seattle have work to do to sign some top players on this list. Hamadi and Hunter both impressed at the recent U.S. Soccer West Region ID Camp. Gonzalez is a Mexican Youth National Team player at one of the biggest academies in Mexico.

Sporting Kansas City
CB — Ramiz Hamouda, Birmingham Legion (2008)
CM — Greysen Lenz, Barca Residency (2012)
RB/W — Tristan Johnson, SW Missouri Rush (2012)

Losing Hamouda was a big loss. He is heading to Werder Bremen this summer.

St. Louis City
CM, Gael Donjuan, SW Missouri Rush (2012)
CB, Reid Long, Lou Fusz (2012)

I do not have detailed information on either player.

In the coming weeks, I will share my top 2012 prospects who are not protected and therefore open to recruitment. With the winter list now finalized, academies are aggressively scheduling trials ahead of the April 17 deadline. Expect heavy trial activity, guest appearances at GA Cup, and significant movement across the ecosystem.