Buck was probably the biggest breakout player in MLS this season in terms of what he had done to date versus what he did this season. He has leveraged his performances displayed ability into a consistent place within the England U-19 setup. It's been reported that his second choice would be Wales and that the United States isn't high on his priority list. He seems to have carried some animosity towards the program based on his role leading up to the U-20 Wold Cup. There is conflicting information on what actually happened there. Overall this is a very unique situation: a player that was born, raised and developed in the United States that is playing for a world power at the Youth National Team level and does not seem to want to play for the United States. A lot can change over the course of the next few years, so Buck will remain a U.S. eligible prospects until he flat out says he won't play for the United States. A World Cup roster spot in the United States is the biggest card that U.S. Soccer can play. If he is at that level by 2026 and that does not entice, it isn't happening.

If Buck was the 1A top breakout player in MLS, Cremaschi was 1B. He didn't have as fast of a start to the season as Buck, but he came on strong midway through the season and was a critical player during Inter Miami's run to win League's cup. It's believed that the United States will be in a recruiting battle with Argentina for Cremaschi's YNT career. Cremaschi has played for both the senior team and the U-23 team in the last two windows, a good sign that he is very open to playing for the United States. Cremaschi is a very good prospect that is likely already coveted by big European clubs. He has the talent to push for a box to box role within USMNT in the future and the 2026 World Cup isn't completely out of the question.

Baker-Whiting has been one of the surprise developments of this MLS season. He transitioned from being a central-midfielder to a full-back about two years ago and that transition is starting to bear fruit. He played both right-back and left-back for Seattle's first team this season and he has looked very good at both. He continues to garner interest from big clubs in Europe. If he stays in Seattle past this January, he could be in-store for a breakout season in 2024. His development as a high level full-back prospect is critical, because the United States youth pool lacks top right-backs.

Tsakiris had a slow start to the 2024 season because of injuries, but was a surprise inclusion for the U-20 World Cup where he was effective in his limited role. He used that as a springboard to get his club season going and while he wasn't as involved as I thought he would be this year, he still showed signs of what makes him a top talent. Tsakiris is another player, in a long list of talented players, that will be competing for a spot on the U-23 Olympic team next summer. He will also be a leader for the next U-20 cycle if the United States decides to keep him at that level.

Wynder is the second of three 2005 born players to make the U-20 World Cup team earlier this year. He struggled some in that tournament and showed that he does have some challenges playing in a lot of space. He moved to Benfica this summer from Louisville City and has been bouncing back and forth from their B team and U-23 team. He has dealt with some injuries but appears to be finding his footing. It will be a tough road at Benfica and whether he ever plays for the first team is a big question. What we do know is that he will get world class development and should come out of that program stronger. Wynder is still one of the top center-back prospects in the youth pool.

Bajraktarevic is another high priority dual-national that has shown interest in both Bosnia and the United States. I believe he has the ceiling to break into the USMNT winger rotation at some point and I view him as an important recruit. He'd be a key player for the next U-20 cycle if he chooses to represent the United States.

Fletcher has been creating a lot of buzz thanks to his fast start at Swansea City where he has scored a ton of goal for their U-21 team and is now starting to train with the first team. Fletcher did not get as much of an opportunity with D.C. United as I would have liked to have seen. It will be interesting to see what happens in January when Fletcher's loan is up. Swansea might be so impressed that they throw some many at D.C. to keep him, or D.C. might have finally realized what they have and will bring him back with plans to make him a big part of their project in 2024. Either way, Fletcher should be a critical player for the next U-20 cycle.

Vargas is highly rated within U.S. Soccer, made evidence by the fact that he was one of three 2005 players to make the U-20 World Cup and he was recently invited to the first U-23 camp of this Olympic cycle. While I love the maturity of his game, I am slightly worried about his ceiling and where that could take him if everything goes to plan. Does he have the tools to play at a high level in Europe?

Neri is a player that I have admired every time he has played for the United States. I have only seen him a little bit for Atletico Madrid, but he has impressed there too. It's unclear how much they rate him, but U.S. Soccer does as he has always been the striker when the 2005 group has gotten together. He was also invited to the PanAmerica games where he was one of the youngest players at the tournament. He is likely to be the number one striker option for the next U-20 cycle. He is also a player I wouldn't mind seeing a MLS club go and get with a plan to get him first team minutes sooner rather than later.

Raines has been a big name from the 2005 class for a long time thanks in large part to his consistency and mature game. He has developed into more of a defensive midfielder and I think that is where he stays long-term. He has the profile to play box to box, but I think his defensively is where he is best. Raines didn't play as much as I expected him to this year for Dynamo and hopefully that changes next year. He too should be a key figure for the U-20 team next cycle in what will be a very talented midfield group.

Pierre is a player that I might rate a little more than U.S. Soccer does, but I love his physical profile and his ability play vertically and float out wide. He hasn't been called to a U.S. camp yet, but I hope that changes once the next U-20 cycle begins, or else there is a chance we lose him to Haiti for that tournament.

Perez's path to a professional contract is one of the coolest stories you will find. I'll admit that before he signed with St. Louis before the start of this season, I knew nothing about him. Even more surprising was that he was getting consistent first team minutes at the start of the season. He needs to refine his game a bit, but there are some good foundational tools at his disposal. He will be competing for U-20 midfield position next cycle in what will be a very competitive group.

Brennan was one of the most improved players in MLS Next Pro this year and his professional deal turns into a first team deal in 2024. He has good physical and technical tools that should make him a solid option for the next U-20 cycle. I would not be surprised if he carves out a rotational role with Atlanta's first team next year.

I love Murray's profile. He is big, mobile and is comfortable on the ball. He has some things to work on, but clearly Freiburg sees what I see and it will be interesting to see how he performs within their project. He just turned 18 and can now be officially registered with Freiburg and start playing in games. He should be a favorite to start next to Josh Wynder for the U-20s.

Beavers is the top goalkeeping prospect I have scouted recently in what is not as strong of a class as 2004. Beavers surprisingly earned quite a few starts this year for RSL and while he struggled, he showed some positive signs. He'll be competing for the number one position for the U-20s in this next cycle.

Norris is a player that is growing on me, though I am not exactly sure what his best position is long-term. Dallas does not seem to be super clear on it either. They seemed to want to move him to center-back, but he received most of his playing time as a midfielder. For USYNTs he has played primarily as a left-back. What I do know is he is a great competitor with some good skills on the ball.

Suarez is a player I really liked when he was at Sacramento Republic and I was really intrigued to see how he did in MLS Next Pro. I did not expect the Revolution to play him predominately at right-back, given he is about 6-4 or 6-5 and has always been a center-back. I can't say I agree with that choice and I am not sure that decision did him any favors this year. We will see if he moves back to his more natural position next year.

Clarke was at one time viewed as one of the crown jewels of this class, but a series of injuries got in the way. Clarke has finally put together about a year and a half of good health and has been solid in MLS Next Pro. He doesn't offer a ton going forward, but is a solid player that could turn into a decent starting full-back in MLS.

Oregel has good technical ability and is a fantastic passer, but his limited physical profile brings question to what his ceiling could be. He'll be in the mix for the next U-20 World Cup cycle, but could get passed by some younger players as they continue to develop.

Valencia was once thought of as a top player in this class and unfortunately it has been injuries and fitness that have held him back the last few years. He did start to get some more consistent minutes in MLS Next Pro late in the season and he showed flashes of what made him an exciting prospect.

I was not able to acquire film from the last six months on Bora Aydinlik, Marcos Zambrano, Matheus Guimarães Lucas, Luken Kesner, Chris Mbaï-Assem, Hudson Davis, David Voute, Leo Duru, Tyler Pasnik and Charles Demarco therefore I do not feel comfortable adding them to the top 20 list. From what I have seen, many of these players are talented and some players I have heard are talented players.

I also did not include Serge Ngoma, Curtis Ofori and Tarik Scott because they missed this past season due to injury.

Lastly, Guilio Misitano is a player working on getting his U.S. citizenship, if he is able to get that, he will be added to the list. If he had it, he would be my top rated 2005 born player — he is a top prospect.