1. RB, Alex Freeman, Villarreal
Looks like he could hold down the RB1 position for the USMNT for the next 10 years.
2. GK, Chris Brady, Chicago Fire
He could be GK1 of the future for USMNT, but he's still not a consistently top keeper in MLS and needs to become that before he moves to a higher level of competition in Europe
3. CM, Rokus Pukstas, Hajduk Split
Pukstas is one of the best young players in Croatia, but it's time to show that he can do it in a top five league. If he does that, he'll become an important member of the midfield pool for the USMNT.
4. CM, Owen Wolff, Austin FC
Last year he looked like one of the top young players in MLS and ready for the jump to a more competitive league in Europe. This year he is recovering from a sports hernia and has not gotten back to that level. He has USMNT potential.
5. CM, Quinn Sullivan, Philadelphia Union
Sullivan was on the fringes of USMNT before he tore his ACL last year. If he can't get back to being one of the better midfielders in MLS and get a move to higher competition in Europe, he could have a USMNT future.
6. DM, Santiago Casteñeda, SC Paderborn
Casteñeda has been a solid starter at a young age in the second tier in Germany for a few years, now he'll get the chance to show what he can do in the Bundesliga. If he performs well, it will warrant an opportunity with the USMNT.
7. W, Luca Koleosho, Paris FC
Koleosho has never put together a super impactful full season, but has had flashes at high levels. He'll need to become more consistent to be considered for the USMNT. And even then, he may never switch from Italy.
8. LB, Caleb Wiley, Chelsea FC
For a time, Wiley looked like the Jedi Robinson successor, but since he left Atlanta United for Europe, he has not been able to stay healthy. He has the talent to be a top player in this class, but needs to start putting together productive seasons for that to be possible.
9. CF, Darren Yapi, Colorado Rapids
Yapi has shown very promising flashes in MLS, but still isn't a consistent starter for Colorado. He has USMNT potential.
10. CF, Damion Downs, Southampton
Downs had a really good season for FC Koln in their promotion campaign to the Bundesliga in 2024-2025, but had a disappointing last season. He has yet to show he can be a consistent goal scorer at a higher level than 2. Bundesliga.
11. CM, Jackson Hopkins, D.C. United
Hopkins has become a regular starter for D.C. United, but I would consider him a replacement level starter in MLS. That's not a level that will get you into the USMNT picture.
12. CM, Matija Mitrović, Vitória Guimarães SC
Mitrović had a solid first season in the Portuguese first tier last year in a part-time role. He is currently tied to Serbia.
13. GK, Gabriel Slonina, Chelsea
Slonina has yet to have a productive season since leaving Chicago Fire for Chelsea. He had one loan to Belgium that was a challenge and one failed loan in League One. He needs a bounce back season somewhere and soon to get back on track to becoming a USMNT keeper.
14. AM, Gerardo Valenzuela, FC Cincinnati
Valenzuela has been a solid spot starter for FC Cincinnati the last couple of years.
15. LB, Jackson Travis, Colorado Rapids
Travis has been a spot starter for Colorado this year.
16. CB, Anrie Chase, RB Salzburg
Chase earned over 700 minutes two seasons ago as a 19 year old center-back in the Bundesliga, but since then he hasn't really done a whole lot thanks to injuries. At one time he looked like a high priority dual-national, but now he just need to get some stability in his career.
17. W, Korede Osundina, Casa Pia
Osundina battled some injuries and was a rotational player for a mid table Portuguese club in the top flight last year.
18. CB, Brandan Craig, CF Montreal
Craig has been nothing more than rotational starter in MLS so far in his career.
19. W, Zach Booth, Real Salt Lake
Booth's best season was in 2023/2024 in the Eredivise for Volendam, but hasn't been able to replicate that since. He is now a squad player for Real Salt Lake in MLS.
20. CF, Jacob Murrell, D.C. United
Murrell has been a decent back-up striker in MLS since joining D.C. United out of college.
