Positionally, the center-back group has shown the most promising growth, highlighted by strong early first-team performances from Cupps and James. Goalkeeper is also solid, led by J.T. Stokes and Kortkamp, but the full-back group remains thin in both depth and high-end upside. Outside of Terry and Landon Emenalo, the defensive-mid and box-to-box midfield cohorts are light, and the winger pool—while still talented—has stagnated slightly over the past year. The striker group is trending in the right direction with emerging depth, even if there’s no clear star yet.

Fair or not, this class saw its stock dip after a disappointing U-17 World Cup, but the professional pathway matters infinitely more. If a handful of these players hit at the senior level, no one will care—or even remember—how that tournament went.

1. CB, Christopher Cupps, Chicago Fire (↑5)
Cupps is a commanding center-back with very good size and strength, paired with enough mobility and speed to defend in a high line. He is an intelligent, composed defender and a great leader who distributes well, showing a good passing range out of the back.

2. CM, Jude Terry, LAFC (↓1)
Terry is a technically sound center-midfielder with good size and very good agility who can carry the ball progressively through the middle of the park. He has a good passing range and touch, controls defensive zones reasonably well, and can produce a spectacular shot from distance.

3. CB, Ian James, Sporting Kansas City (↑2)
James is a big, strong center-back who is physical in duels and clearly enjoys that side of the game. He takes his space on the ball and can find passes between the lines.

4. CF, Julian Hall, New York Red Bulls (↓2)
Hall is a strong, explosive center-forward with great agility who has developed into a reliable goal poacher with an intuitive sense for movement in the final third. His hold-up play and link-up ability continue to improve, and he can also receive in the channels and run at defenders one-on-one.

5. LB, Landon Emenalo, Chelsea (↑3)
Emenalo is an extremely well-rounded defender who can play left-back, at the six, or at the eight, combining strength with good speed and agility. He is clean and efficient on the ball, simple but effective, and remains strong and reliable defensively.

6. CF, Alexander Staff, Eintracht Frankfurt (↓3)
Staff is a center-forward with decent burst and agility who is reliable in hold-up play and bringing teammates into the phase. He has an incredible goal-scoring record, backed by sharp instincts in the final third.

7. W, Nimfasha Berchimas, Charlotte FC (↓3)
Berchimas is a lightning-quick winger with good balance and quick feet who brings flair and creativity when attacking one-on-one. He strikes the ball very well with both feet, presses willingly against the ball, and has a history of performing in big moments.

8. RB, Wesley Okoduwa, Wolves (↑2)
Okoduwa is a right-back with an elite physical profile, combining great size, speed, and strength. He is stronger defensively at this stage and carries real lockdown potential, while on the ball his main value comes from running the channels and overlapping, where he provides decent service.

9. CF, Chase Adams, Columbus Crew (↑2)
Adams is a strong, physical striker who holds up very well, connects instinctually with teammates, and is extremely ball secure with great movement in the box. He’s still developing as a presser and is limited as a vertical threat. 

10. CB, Ramiz Hamouda, Birmingham Legion (↓1)
Hamouda is a tall, left-footed center-back with good mobility in space and the occasional flash of high-level 1v1 defending. He's very comfortable playing out of pressure and can spring transitions with his passing vision and range

11. DM, DeCarlo Guerra, LAFC (↑1)
Guerra is a well-rounded midfielder with good size, clean technical fundamentals, and the ability to spray passes all over the field. He has improved his passing aggression without increasing turnovers and pairs that with reliable defensive work and strong recovery speed.

12. GK, Aidan Stokes, New York Red Bulls (↑5)
Stokes is a goalkeeper with good size and athleticism, solid shot-stopping, and the flexibility to get down quickly and defend with his feet. He's confident in possession and a decent distributor.

13. AM, Maximo Carrizo, NYCFC (↓6)
Carrizo is a technically gifted midfielder with exceptional ball control, vision, and passing ability. He is highly secure in possession and is becoming increasingly effective in the final third. He'll need to be dynamite as a playmaker to make up for his deficiencies against the ball. There just are not many players like him that make it at a high level, but I hope he is an exception.

14. CM, Cristiano Oliveira, New England Revolution (↑2)
Oliveira is a center-midfielder with great size and decent fluidity for his long frame. He's technically clean with good close control, ball security, and a sharp passing touch and vision.

15. CF, Austyn Jones, PSV (No change)
Jones is a center-forward who wins with speed and athleticism, with great off-the-ball movement running vertically and in the channels. He finds the ball in the final third, strikes it well, and has a great goal-scoring record.

16. W, Gabriel Wesseh, Fredrikstad SK (↑4)
Wesseh is a winger with very good side-to-side quickness and an extremely clever mind for the game, the ball glued to his foot through traffic. He has great passing vision, a wide array of passing techniques, and a strong left foot.

17. W, Jamir Johnson, Orange County SC (↓4)
Johnson is a dynamic, pacey winger with excellent footwork in 1v1 situations and the ability to create with both feet as a passer and shooter. He is undersized as a winger, so being able to win against more physical defenders is a real concern.

18.  AM, Leo Gitau, Wormatia Worms (↓4)
Gitau is a quick, agile midfielder with excellent close control, dribbling ability, and rhythm on the ball, making him effective in tight central spaces or out wide. Though slightly undersized, he has enough pitch coverage and skill to project as a box-to-box midfielder long term.

19. GK, Jack Kortkamp, Sporting KC (No change)
Kortkamp is a well-sized, athletic goalkeeper with impressive strength, balance, and lateral quickness, making him an advanced shot stopper capable of pulling off spectacular saves. His distribution is still developing, but it doesn’t significantly hinder his overall effectiveness.

20. RB, Gio Villa, Real Salt Lake (↓2)
Villa is a tenacious one-on-one defender with elite lateral quickness and footwork. While his defensive game is more advanced, he offers value in possession with good ball control and contributions in both buildup and the final third. The big question for Villa is his size and how much his defense will play as he faces bigger, stronger and faster attackers.

I have not had the opportunity to thoroughly scout the following players in the last 12-months. If you have full game film for any of these players from the last 12-months, please fill out the form below.

GK, Mick Tiel (Utrecht), RB/CB, Victor Vandenbroucke (Gent), W, Lev Jenzeh (PEC Zwolle), W, Kaelen Dougan (Greuther Fürth) and Asher Artz (Borussia Mönchengladbach)