I've softened on the goalkeeper group, with only one keeper left in my top 20, though he's a good one. Zach Lapierre isn't just a top five player in this class; he'll likely land on my top 50 USMNT prospects list too. I lowered grades on several keepers who haven't grown enough physically to justify a top billing, though plenty here still show strong skill sets. If a few hit a growth spurt, this could still shape up as a solid group.
The center-back group has decent potential but lacks clear standouts. Every candidate is missing one key ingredient right now, though I'd bet a few develop into real prospects over the next few years. The only center-back in my current top 20 is Mexican-American Mason Washington.
Full-backs look promising and will likely improve with age as players shift to right-back and left-back later in development. The left side stands out now, with two players in the top 20: Andre Campbell, a natural left-back, and Matthew Brusco, currently a left-winger who I think eventually settles at left-back. A couple more left-backs just missed the cut. No right-backs made the top 20, though a few have the tools to get there.
Midfield is this class's strength. It has everything: defensive anchors, deep-lying playmakers, box-to-box progressors, and creative playmakers. Eight midfielders made the top 20. Jaethan Irwin tops the group — he already has first-team appearances with Phoenix Rising, and I've heard Real Salt Lake is recruiting him aggressively.
The winger class is strong too, especially against what we've typically gotten from American wingers. Three wingers sit in my top five overall, which is rare. Flowers leads the pack, but Daniel Brown and Chris Fitanidis bring different, compelling profiles.
Strikers offer talent but not depth, so this class needs its top few to deliver. Santiago Suarez leads the position and ranks second overall — he's among the most technically gifted and instinctive players in the class.
I was already high on this class at midseason, and I'm higher now. Plenty of players developed well, and more have emerged as viable Youth National Team options. If a handful break into elite territory and the depth holds or grows, this class could rival 2009 in having the potential to be the best in U.S. soccer history. But it's a long way from there.
1. W, Benjamin Flowers, FC Dallas (↑1)
Flowers is the best 1v1 player in this class and has all of the makings of a dynamic winger. His combination of close control and ability to keep defenders off balance with his change of direction and hesitation make him a menace going forward. His final third efficiency has been inconsistent, but he is ahead of where most wingers are at his age.
2. CF, Santiago Suarez, Atlanta United (↑3)
Suarez is an instinctive goal scorer that finds so many ways to be dangerous in the final third. He has great feet and excels in link up play and combinations. The biggest question mark in his projection is his physical profile, though I don’t think that is a massive concern because he has always had success playing against older players.
3. W, Daniel Brown, Charlotte FC (↑1)
Brown is a smooth, technically refined left-footed player who can operate wide or centrally and shows a strong feel for the game. While he is an adequate athlete, he does not rely on dynamic physical traits to be effective. The biggest concern early in his career is that he has been often injured.
4. W, Chris Fitanidis, Cedar Stars Bergen (↑5)
Fitanidis is a direct and powerful winger who can threaten defenders with pace and strength while using both feet effectively. His physical development might be nearing it’s peak, so his continued technical development and game understanding will dictate his ceiling.
5. GK, Zach Lapierre, New England Revolution (↑6)Lapierre does all of the critical keeper things well at a very young age and already has the size you hope for in a top keeper prospect.
6. CM, Jaethan Irwin, Phoenix Rising (↑12)Irwin has an extraordinary combination of size, speed and agility and enough of a technical foundation to get really excited about what he could be if developed properly.
7. CF, Romualdo Aguirre, CF Monterrey (New addition)
Aguirre excels in transition, running into channels and slashing off of the ball. He has a good physical profile and an aggressive nature to everything that he does. In order to become more well rounded, he’ll need to improve his hold up play.
8. AM, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, Sporting Kansas City (New addition)
Loyo Reynaga succeeds because with his football intelligence, technical qualities and mentality. He anticipates well, understands space and applies intelligent movement off of the ball and can strike the ball with power, touch and accuracy. He is no doubt one of the highest performers right now, but I worry a little bit about how much better he can become down the road.
9. DM, Immanuel Adewunmi, Columbus Crew (New addition)
Adewunmi has an incredible feel for playing in crowded spaces within the midfield, with excellent spacial awareness, touch and passing range. He has a lot of physical development in front of him and when that part matures, he could be a top five prospect in this class.
10. DM, Nick Harris, FC Cincinnati (↑5)
Harris is a defensive minded leader that covers a lot of ground and has a great mentality. He keeps things fairly simple on the ball, though he is very clean in possession. He already has great size and once he starts to fill out he could be dominant defensively.
11. CM, Diego Ros, FC Dallas (↑5)
Ros is one of the smartest and most technically gifted players in this class and while he isn’t the biggest midfielder, he surprises you with his burst.
12. LB, Matthew Brusco, Cedar Stars Bergen (New addition)
Brusco is a pace and power wide player with a fantastic motor and left-foot. He plays at wing now and may stick if he can continue to build his 1v1 arsenal. If not, he should have a nice home at left-back.
13. W, Leo Woehl, Columbus Crew (↓6)
Woehl is deadly in transition and when things in front of him are simple. He has great pace, and ball striking ability, but needs to improve against a low block.
14. CF, Nosa Osagie, Minnesota United (New addition)
Osagie is vertical channel runner who can cause a ton of problems with his pace and power, but he needs to refine his game to become more effective in different spaces on the pitch.
15. AM, Maxwell Camara, D.C. United (New addition)
Camara is a very unique prospect — he has great size (6-1), fantastic feet and a strong game understanding (son of a coach), but lacks a clear position long term.
16. CB, Mason Washington, LAFC (New addition)
Washington is my top rated center-back prospect in this class. He is the best 1v1 defender in this class and he is sneaky good on the ball. If he grows a couple more inches, he could find himself in the top 10 of this list.
17. CM, Levi Welch, LAFC (New addition)
Welch is a true box to box midfielder who covers a lot of ground and can progress the ball effectively from the middle third into the final third.
18. LB, Andre Campbell, Inter Miami (↓4)
Campbell has the prototypal profile for a modern day left-back. He flies up and down the flank and gets a ton of touches overlapping in the final third.
19. AM, Ian Miller, Portland Timbers (No change)
Miller has one of the best soccer brains in this class and a wondrous left foot to help execute on those ideas, but he requires teammates to be on his same level to have maximum impact.
20. CM, Cosimo Tristani, NYCFC (New addition)
Tristani does so many things well to help teams win in the midfield. He wins back the ball, he progresses the ball in different ways and he is adept in combination. His frame suggests there is more room for physical development as well.
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.
CB, Keyvan Figueroa (Burnley), CB/RB, Julian Lake (AS Monaco), CM, Leo Dausch (Fulham), CM, Benjamin Vajrača (FC Augsburg), AM, Jackson “Papo” Gordon (Valencia), W, Tyler Boumakany (QRM), W, Kylan Hague (Sunderland), W, Neville Knowles III (Villarreal), W, J Pierre Thomas (Vitoria), CF, Isaiah Kabi (KFUM-Kameratene Oslo)
.png)
