Breakout Youth Player in MLS / USL 2025

Stuart Hawkins debut also happened

Stuart Hawkins makes his MLS debut 💚 pic.twitter.com/nJFgL4krGA

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 15, 2025

Somehow missed this last night. USYNT CB Stuart Hawkins (‘06) made his MLS debut for the Seattle Sounders https://t.co/Td0Azr5VqU

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 15, 2025

 

Chris Applewhite first MLS start

17-year-old Chris Applewhite gets his first MLS start.

Applewhite just graduated high school this weekend. Finished warmups and was honored alongside other NSC academy graduates in a little on-field ceremony. https://t.co/8B3en7kOPO pic.twitter.com/HKvXNfwOaU

— Ben Wright (@benwright) May 18, 2025

Andrew Rick... wonder how long Blake is out

A night to remember for 19-year-old @PhilaUnion 'keeper Andrew Rick. ✨ pic.twitter.com/5fz4pEogo5

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 18, 2025

 

Applewhite

Christopher Applewhite (‘07) in his first MLS start:

90 minutes
84 touches
70/72 passes (97%)
2/3 long balls
7 clearances
4 recoveries
7/9 aerial duels won (78%)
7.3 FotMob rating
Clean sheet

Encouraging performance from the 17 year old CB

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 18, 2025

 

San Diego starting two young American fullbacks, Bombino and Verhoeven...

Oscar Verhoeven makes his first start for San Diego FC since being acquired early in the season, starting opposite fellow ‘06 fullback Luca Bombino. https://t.co/aVy5MmuhSG

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 18, 2025

 

Most U23 minutes from Inter Miami (3.5k) to Charlotte FC (0)

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝟐𝟑 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑:

🏆 Inter Miami - 3567
🥈 Chicago Fire - 3353
🥉 Sporting Kansas City - 3016
4️⃣ Philadelphia Union - 2978 pic.twitter.com/aUNNTNttnk

— USMNT Report 🇺🇸🇹🇷 (@USMNTReport) May 19, 2025

 

Strong U17 roster for June camp. That midfield is particularly strong. Some notable players not there, but there's a danger in reading anything into that.
Twenty Players Called in for U-17 Men’s National Team Camp from June 2-10 in Spain

U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Gonzalo Segares has called up 20 players for the team’s international training camp to be held from June 2-10 in Valencia, Spain. Segares will guide the team in three friendly matches against Sweden (June 5), Canada (June 7) and Japan (June 10).

U-17 BOYS’ NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER – JUNE TRAINING CAMP
Goalkeepers (2): Jack Kortkamp (Sporting KC; Olathe, Kan.), Aiden Stokes (New York Red Bulls; Totwa, N.J.)

Defenders (7): Christopher Cupps (Chicago Fire; Chicago, Ill.), Matthew Dos Santos (New York Red Bulls; Sandy Hook, Conn.), Pedro Guimaraes (Orange County SC; Aliso Viejo, Calif.), Ramiz Hamouda (Birmingham Legion; Lincoln, Neb.), Enrique Martinez (LA Galaxy; Compton, Calif.), Gio Villa (Real Salt Lake; Chicago, Ill.), Bennett Wilp (Union Berlin/GER; Berlin, Germany)

Midfielders (5): Maximo Carrizo (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Jack Mize (Borussia Dortmund/GER; New York, N.Y.), Cooper Sanchez (Atlanta United; Holly Springs, Ga.), Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Jude Terry (Los Angeles FC; San Diego, Calif.)

Forwards (6): Chase Adams (Columbus Crew, Naperville, Ill.), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls; New York, N.Y.), Jamir Johnson (Philadelphia Union, Huntsville, Ala.), Logan Moniz (FC Boston Bolts; Assonet, Mass.), Eric Preston (LA Galaxy; Richmond, Calif.), Tanner Rosborough (New York Red Bulls; McDonald, Pa.)

 

18 year old Zavier Gozo with his first MLS goal

Graduated Thursday, scored his first RSL goal today. Not a bad week for Gozo 🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/CHQe9JMUZo

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) May 25, 2025

1926465633392193827 is not a valid tweet id

At 18 years, 62 days, Zavier Gozo is the third-youngest goal scorer in #RSL history, and the youngest since Luis Gil in 2011 (17y, 265d). pic.twitter.com/HRoScEPtzM

— Salt City Soccer (@saltcityfc) May 25, 2025

 

Tate Johnson

Looks like Tate Johnson (‘05) is getting his first call up to the USA U20s. It’s a deserved call, he’s been good for the Whitecaps this year in his first MLS season and has earned the chance to fight for a World Cup spot. This also means the roster will likely be out soon. https://t.co/KfW3SFOHE3

— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 25, 2025

 

Draw for the U17 World Cup was held. The event takes place in November, and includes players born in 2008 or younger. It will be the first of five times in a row that it will be held in Qatar for some reason. [Well, we know the reason.] A number of players in this age group have debuted in MLS. Cavan Sullivan of Philly, Julian Hall of NYRB, Maxi Carrizo of NYCFC, Chris Cupps of Chicago, etc. etc. We'll see how many of those go as it depends on playoff positioning, etc. Its unclear whether EUro-based guys like Mathis Albert will be made available.
fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/qatar-2025/articles/draw-revealed

 

Atencio Leroux Campbell

💪 U23 Leaders in Ball Recoveries, @MLS via @fbref:

🇷🇸 Jovan Lukić, 97
🇺🇸 Joshua Atencio, 85
🇧🇷 Igor Jesus, 85
🇺🇸 Beau Leroux, 83
🇨🇴 Carlos Garcés, 81
🇸🇪 Noah Elie, 77
🇧🇷 Antony, 76
🇦🇷 David Ayala, 71
🇺🇸 George Campbell, 69

The @PhilaUnion midfield duo of Lukić & Danley has… pic.twitter.com/7wa9nIQARd

— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) May 26, 2025

 

U18 and U19 camps in this window. It seems we've got every age group covered. U20 roster likely announced next.

U19s are playing some matches in Spain against the hosts and Ukraine. This is a strong group of players not in the U20 camp. Jeesh. Andrew Rick starting games in MLS but can't get in the U20s due to Eyestone, Kochen, Beavers, etc.
...
U-19 BOYS’ NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER – JUNE TRAINING CAMP
Goalkeepers (2): Duran Ferree (Nordsjaelland/DEN; San Diego, Calif.), Andrew Rick (Philadelphia Union; Berwyn, Pa.).

Defenders (6): Freddie Anderson (Cork City/IRL; Manchester, England), Luca Bombino (San Diego FC; Saugus, Calif.), Aiden Harangi (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Reston, Va.), Stuart Hawkins (Seattle Sounders; Fox Island, Wash.), Tate Lampman (Georgetown University; Ann Arbor, Mich.), Harbor Miller (LA Galaxy; Brea, Calif.),

Midfielders (6): Diego Garcia (FC Dallas; El Paso, Texas), Aron John (Charlotte FC; Charlotte, N.C.), Edwyn Mendoza (San Jose Earthquakes; San Jose, Calif.), CJ Olney (Philadelphia Union; Hillsborough, N.J.), Ruben Ramos (LA Galaxy; La Puente, Calif.), Jonathan Shore (New York City FC; New York, N.Y.)

Forwards (6): Micah Burton (Austin FC; Mounds View, Minn.), Keyrol Figueroa (Liverpool/ENG; Warrington, England), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah), Bryce Jamison (Orange County SC; Lake Forest, Calif.), Mykhi Joyner (St. Louis City; Bloomington, Ill.), David Vazquez (Philadelphia Union; Los Angeles, Calif.)
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/05/under-19-mens-national-team-first-camp-2025-

U18s playing a tournament in Switzerland. First two games against France and Argentina. Some good players here. Imagine Dominik Chong-Qui, who is playing first team MLS games not getting into the U20s or U19s........but in the U18s. Such is the state of things.

U-18 BOYS’ NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER – JUNE TRAINING CAMP
Goalkeepers (2): Zackory Campagnolo (Colorado Rapids; Fort Myers, Fla.), Kayne Rizvanovich (Minnesota United; Mettawa, Ill.)

Defenders (6): Andrew Baiera (New York City FC; Darien, Conn.), Dominik Chong-Qui (Atlanta United; Alpharetta, Ga.), Braden Dunham (Atlanta United; Peachtree City, Ga.), Kaiden Moore (Atlanta United; Warner Robins, Ga.), Tyson Pearce (St. Louis City; Saint Charles, Mo.), Jackson Platts (Orlando City; Jacksonville, Fla.)

Midfielders (6): Snyder Brunell (Seattle Sounders; Kirkland, Wash.), Marvin Dills (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER; Frankfurt am Main, Germany), Colin Guske (Orlando City; Saint Johns, Fla.), Santiago Morales (Inter Miami; Weston, Fla.), Ervin Torres Jr. (Austin FC; Laredo, Texas), Blake Willey (Sacramento Republic; Sacramento, Calif.)

Forwards (6): Jaidyn Contreras (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Justin Ellis (Orlando City; Wellington, Fla.), Dino Klapija (RB Leipzig/GER; New York City, N.Y.), Leonardo Orejarena (FC Dallas; Chicago, Ill.) Daniel Pinter (Inter Miami; Boca Raton, Fla.), Colton Swan (Colorado Rapids; Ann Arbor, Mich.)
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...ina-australia-uefa-friendship-cup-switzerland

 

Scouting Zavier Gozo: Named after Didier Drogba and compared to Thierry Henry, Real Salt Lake winger on brink of a breakout | Goal.com US

 

STRONG US U20 camp in this window. Particularly in defense. They're playing an event in Cairo.

There are a lot of moving parts here. They don't have many windows left until the U20WC. That WC is in September/October when both Europe and MLS are active. Folks can come up with quite a list of names not at this camp. But it could have more to do with which players are going to be made available in the fall. Like..........................Noahkai Banks, Cole Campbel and Josh Wynder. Plenty of guys in that band.

Goalkeepers (2): Gavin Beavers (Brondby/DEN; Henderson, Nev.), Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona/ESP; Miramar, Fla.)

Defenders (8): Matai Akinmboni (Bournemouth/ENG; Upper Marlboro, Md.), Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders; Seattle, Wash.), Luca Bombino (San Diego FC; Saugus, Calif.), Noah Cobb (Atlanta United; Chattanooga, Tenn.), Tate Johnson (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; Tampa, Fla.), Ethan Kohler (Werder Bremen/GER; Campbell, Calif.), Nolan Norris (FC Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas), Francis Westfield (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.)

Midfielders (6): Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC; Dallas, Texas), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; Key Biscayne, Fla.), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew; Columbus, Ohio), Sergio Oregel Jr. (Chicago Fire; Chicago, Ill.), Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo; Chicago, Ill.), Pedro Soma (FC Barcelona/ESP; Coconut Creek, Fla.)

Forwards (6): Luke Brennan (Atlanta United; Atlanta, Ga.), Kristian Fletcher (D.C. United; Bowie, Md.), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake; Eagle Mountain, Utah), Peyton Miller (New England Revolution; Unionville, Conn.), Serge Ngoma Jr. (New York Red Bulls; North Plainfield, N.J.), Marcos Zambrano (Vitoria Guimaraes/POR; Gladwyne, Pa.)

 

CBs and, of course, strikers are areas of concern.

 

Matai pulled out due to injury now. Don’t have the top 3 CBs.

 

Big picture, and not just thinking of the U20 World Cup, CB is looking strong with this age group.
Just gotta build depth with MLS guys like Noah Cobb and company.

They should "promote" a younger kid up to the U20s like they did with Luca Bombino.
[A discerning eye might note he's on both the U20 and U19 rosters.]
Based on the Akinmboni announcement of that injury, it looks like they won't do that.

There are guys who've gotten minutes in MLS who aren't on any of these rosters.
Chris Applewhite of Nashville. Chris Cupps of Chicago. Keep crankin'.........................

Maybe the best CB prospect in MLS is out injured at the moment. Neil Pierre of Philadelphia.

Center forward is another story................................

[Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert, arguably our two best prospects, aren't on any rosters.]

There have been a couple of additions to the U19 roster. Forward Sal Olivas of the Union (who comes from El Paso). Owen Presthus is a right back from Columbus. Yes, Owen is the son of former MLS goalkeeper Tom Presthus.

Roster Update | Sal Olivas Jr and Owen Presthus have been added to the #U19MNT roster for the upcoming June camp. https://t.co/AUGwWcPAnZ

— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 30, 2025

 

Two impressive MLS assists from 19 year old Matthew Corcoran... maybe now BJ Callaghan will play him more, he only had like 150 minutes in MLS before today.

The touch and backheel from Hany. 🪄
The finish from Surridge. 🎯

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/Ot29CBNtGj pic.twitter.com/FQsIsGsK1V

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 31, 2025

Big Sam strikes again! 👌 pic.twitter.com/N8q6ZkgMsX

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 31, 2025

 

Christopher Cupps 2nd MLS start

Christopher Cupps back in the team just a few days after his 17th birthday. 🔥✨#cf97 #vamosfire #usynt https://t.co/vpMVQYTADF pic.twitter.com/l3HV8ojHUh

— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) May 31, 2025

Christopher Cupps was very good in his second career MLS start. One hiccup at the start, but very good the rest of the way. Pretty impressive for a recently turned 17 year old CB against a good attacking group from Orlando City.

— Marcus Chairez | US/SC (@USSoccerColl) June 1, 2025

 

It would be pretty great for the USMNT if Andrew Rick could take Andre Blake's job

Rick stands tall! 💪

📺 Tune in on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/wBYh33UMqo #DOOP | 🐍 0-0 🐂 pic.twitter.com/tKNO0wIzb7

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 1, 2025

 

Gozo

18-year-old Zavier Gozo gives @realsaltlake a two-goal cushion! pic.twitter.com/xcMD3OWGBo

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 15, 2025

Zavier Gozo ('07) in RSL's win over DC United:

◉ 7.8 FotMob rating ✅
◉ 1 goal (2nd career MLS goal) ⚽️
◉ 4 touches in opposition box 👣
◉ 1/1 (100%) tackles won ⚔️
◉ 3 recoveries ⚡️
◉ 3/7 (43%) duels won 🦾#usmnt pic.twitter.com/nM9bFzX3r4

— USMNT Report 🇺🇸🇹🇷 (@USMNTReport) June 15, 2025

 

Debut last night in Dallas for left back Josh Torquato.
Seriously, fullback seems to be the position this year for youngsters in MLS.

Josh is actually from Kona, Hawaii originally. Joined the FCD academy in 2019 and has risen up the ranks. Is technically under contract with North Texas, but was on a short-term loan to the first team. I remember Buzz saying that this kid has the potential to have a long MLS career of the Marco Farfan variety.

In their 4-2 win over SKC last night (aided by a red card), Dallas used recent academy products Nolan Norris, Anthony Ramirez, and Josh Torquato. As well as North Texas product Bernard Kamungo (who got a goal).
.

90' #DTID Substitutions

➡️Acosta
➡️Julio
⬅️MAKING HIS MLS DEBUT Torquato
⬅️Ramirez pic.twitter.com/hfwgXixA19

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 15, 2025