YNT-Eligible MLS Players, 2026 In-Season Thread

I don't mind them regulating his minutes as long as he's getting regular minutes. But right now they are basically relying on Iloski or Sullivan to provide basically all their creation. That's a mistake. That lineup ... then putting Sullivan on FOR Iloski trailing... Ooof.

If you are going to go scoreless against DC United, perhaps you need to get more offense on the field.

In the off-season, I said that I didn't think Carnell was the best guy to shepherd in Sullivan. I don't mind the minutes regulation -- especially with CCC still on the docket -- but the guy is Red Bull-style through and through. This team he sent out there against a Wooden Spoon contender is from formation to selection designed to grind even against a bad team.

They won the Shield last year. But they had more talent than they do this year. The style already limits their upside, IMO, but once you combine with less individual excellence (namely trading out Baribo for one guy who's first game is likely to end in a suspension and one guy whose middle name is potential) ... you get this game. Baribo wins it for DC and you rarely threaten.

Defense + Individual Brilliance is a pretty good gameplan.

I'm not entirely sure that Cavan is ready to be that guy at the MLS level, but aside from Iloski, he's really the only one on the roster that seems ready to take on that role. So we'll see how long Carnell waits to try him more.

 

I will also say Mehmeti basically made me not worry about losing Obed Vargas is about five minutes. I think he's going to be similar in style but better across the board.

 

Remember the name. 🌟

17-year-old Julian Hall is the Player of the Matchday. pic.twitter.com/2mGbMBeWJl

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2026

 

The future is bright in New York. ✨ pic.twitter.com/80cavOyjjY

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2026

 

Michael Bradley is the hero we need

The future is now in New York. ⚡️@NewYorkRedBulls becomes the first team in MLS history to start three players 17 or younger in a regular season match. pic.twitter.com/JzzSis0Dc2

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2026

 

Watching Nashville right now and Corcoran has been dropping dimes. Very impressed

 

Last night, we had thread eligible players get on the field for both Nashville and LAFC in the CCC.

Of interest to me was Jude Terry getting onto the field for LAFC.
Hopefully he gets more time as the season progresses.

 

Personally think Corcoran is going to be too athletically limited for more than a few USMNT caps, at best, but he’s got talent for sure. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong.

 

I caught a very limited sample size, but I thought Terry looked timid overall and was physically overmatched in a few duels.

Not an indictment of him - part of it was probably by design as he was the deepest midfielder with limited involvement. It’s just that sometimes you expect these top prospects to “pop” and surprise you when given the chance (see Adri Mehmeti).

 

I think it’s kinda just getting to the point where Terry isn’t a top prospect, as much as I think LAFC deserves a lot of criticism for their usage of their academy products over the years.

 

He'll be at FCD Saturday - his old academy club. He should be fired up and if he plays I'll try and give a scouting report.

Sucks when both can be true at once.

 

Another Mehmeto-Hall connection for a goal. Mehmeti looks to be a very special player.

 

3 thread-eligible starters for RSL (07s Gozo and Hezarkhani, 08 Moisa) and Hezarkhani grabs an early goal. Set up in part by Moisa.

 

Second half starts with a Gozo assist. 2-0 RSL, with all 3 thread-eligible players being involved in a goal.

 

Roldan had a nice header on a sneaky set piece. I think Snyder Brunell is going to supplant Dotson for starting minutes fairly soon, he's looked a lot better in the same position.
I'm concerned with our back line, they got beat on counters multiple times, Ragen has never been super fast (he's a good passer) but Yeimar and Nouhou getting beat will really hurt us.
Also, one of the weirdest streaks in MLS, the Sounders have not won a regular season match @RSL since 2012. Also just scored their first goal there since 2020.

 

For the second game in the row RBNY's Bradley started the same three 2008-09's - Mehmeti, Hall and Dos Santos. Also notable that two notable ex-YNT rescue projects started those same two games - Cowell and Che.

I am ready to give them a nickname. Maybe Bradley's Boys?

 

The Bradley Bunch. Forsberg can be the mom since he's also on the pitch working hard and he has longer hair compared to Bradley.

 

As has anyone else. Mix he isn't.

 

Drew Baiera ('07) has appeared and looked good in both of NYCFC's matches this season. He's a different look to Gray as he is faster and more willing to attack the end line. He'll likely continue to see substitute minutes on the right side and even possibly a few starts. He had a pretty important role in the buildup to NYCFC's go-ahead goal vs Philadelphia.

 

Where's Mathis Albert?