High Press' 22 Under 22

Philadelphia Union - 17 years old

Cavan Sullivan may well be the greatest prospect in Major League Soccer history. Since the world cup break, Sullivan has been one of the best players in the league. He has 7 goals and 14 assists, making him one of the top creators in MLS. And he just turned 17 in September. What truly makes Cavan Sullivan special is his mentality. He works hard to win the ball back when it's turned over, and he wants to make the game for his team. When you add in his inhuman acceleration, brilliant soccer IQ, and technical quality, you have a once in a lifetime phenom. There truly is no limit for how good Cavan Sullivan can be.

New York Red Bulls - 17 years old

Adri Mehmeti has been impressive all season long for the New York Red Bulls. His maturity at such a young age is what makes him stand out. As a central midfielder, he wants to get on the ball and progress his team forward. His teammates always look to pass him the ball, which signifies the amount of trust that he has earned. This is something that typified Darlington Nagbe's game, and Mehmeti as the potential to get there too. With getting stronger and more experience, there is no telling how good Mehmeti could be.

Chicago Fire - 21 years old

The South African is one of the best defenders in the league. His recovery defense and ability on the ball elevate Chicago to whole different level. For any team that wants to press opponents, Mbokazi is an invaluable asset. He is aggressive in stepping out of the backline to win the ball while also having the speed and intelligence to shut down counterattacks when the opposition can play through the press. His excellent play earned him the chance to play for South Africa in the 2026 World Cup, and he's only 21, which is young for a central defender. Mbokazi is only going to continue to get better.

New England Revolution - 18 years old

Peyton Miller may have been number 1 on this list in years past, that's just how good he has been this season. Whether is played as a winger or a fullback, Miller is an absolute game changer. He is one of the fastest players in the league, but more importantly, he makes intelligent runs. However, he's not just a pacy youngster. Miller also has the quality to pick out the final pass and has shown discipline in defense. Miller has leveled up this season and his quality is a big reason of why the Revolution have improved so much since last season.

San Jose Earthquakes - 21 years old

Niko Tsakiris may have been higher on this list if he had been healthy all season long. He is one of the best American attacking midfielders this league has seen in the past half decade, and he makes San Jose an elite contender. His vision and technique are crucial to the way that Bruce Arena wants to play, and when he has been healthy, San Jose have been the best team in the Western Conference.

New York Red Bulls - 18 years old

Julian Hall scores goals. He's got 14 in all competitions, including a hat trick in May that saw him become the youngest ever MLS player to score thrice in the same match. What makes Hall so good is his ability to find chances. Not just half chances; grade A, high quality chances. It's why there's no sign that he's going to slow down any time soon. Hall makes great runs off the ball, whether to get in behind the opposition defense or to manufacture space for himself in the box. His hold up play has been improving over the course of the year and his defensive work rate is strong. Julian Zakrzewski Hall is a massive reason why Red Bulls are currently in the playoffs.

Orlando City - 19 years old

Justin Ellis is a unique talent. Primarily a second forward, Ellis has also played plenty on the wing for Orlando this year. He's been brilliant no matter where he lines up. His vision and playmaking are superb. He sees space so well and finds pockets in the soft spots of defenses. But what's most impressive is his dribbling. He is fluid on the ball. Deceptively tall, Ellis can use his body to shield the ball, and with his silky footwork, he is elite at progressing his team forward on the dribble. With 3 goals and 12 assists, the American is one of the top creators in the league. If Ellis can consistently be goal dangerous there's no telling how good this kid will become.

San Diego FC - 21 years old

Manu Duah is a total game changer for San Diego FC. As a converted midfielder, he is very comfortable defending in open space and is composed on the ball. For a team that plays primarily in possession, and with a high defensive line, Duah is a perfect fit for their system. With his athleticism and 1v1 defending, the Ghanaian is the ultimate safety valve for SDFC. While this year hasn't been smooth sailing for the Chrome and Azul, Duah is still a standout defensively and is one of the most talented young center backs in the league.

Philadelphia Union - 19 years old

Neil Pierre is a beast. He's instantly settled the Union backline as the team has transformed into one of the best sides in the East. He excels in front foot defending with his aggression and physicality. Dominant in the air, Pierre controls his own box and is a constant danger on set pieces. It's not often a 19 year old center back scores 5 goals in his first 15 MLS appearances. With more experience at the first team level, Pierre could become the next great USMNT center back.

New England Revolution - 21 years old

It's been 4 years since Brooklyn Raines broke onto the MLS scene in Houston, but this year he's come into his own. Raines does all the little things well. His positioning is flawless, he doesn't lose possession, and he has a great understanding of the game. These are the details that often go unnoticed, but are crucial for a midfielder, and they make the entire team around him better. Raines is playing with a maturity well beyond his years.

FC Dallas - 21 years old

Kaick has taken a leap this season. Last season, Quill wasn't settled on a particular midfield combination. This season, Kaick has forced his hand. When you watch FC Dallas this season, you'd think that he has a twin because it feels like Kaick is all over the field. He loves putting in tackles and breaking up attacks. However, he also has very good technique, as he has showcased with sublime goals in recent weeks. The young Brazilian has been immense for FC Dallas this season.

New England Revolution - 21 years old

It's been an extraordinary debut season in MLS for Ethan Kohler. The Earthquakes youth product has fit in perfectly with Marko Mitrović and the New England Revolution. With his sublime passing range and comfort stepping out of the backline, Kohler is a big part of the Revs' buildout. He's even better on the defensive side: great at reading the game, blocking shots, and making heroic recovery tackles. Kohler has been an every game starter for one of the best teams in the MLS.

Philadelphia Union - 20 years old

Frankie Westfield has been outstanding this season, deservedly earning a call up to the USMNT. He has 8 assists and has been the second best right back in the league this year behind only Andy Najar. Westfield is a reliable presence on the right flank, constantly pushing up high to win the ball in good spots or to make overlapping runs. His energy and quality in the final third make him a huge weapon for the resurgent Philadelphia Union.

Nashville SC - 21 years old

Reed Baker-Whiting has been outstanding for the best side in Major League Soccer. Defensively, Baker-Whiting is a beast, and he has started to add more offensive contributions to his game. The versatile American can line up at either left back or right back, which is very valuable for any team in this league that plays so many matches each season. He has helped solidify Nashville's defense, which has allowed the least amount of goals in the league this season, and he has added another dimension to how Nashville plays.

New York Red Bulls - 21 years old

Ronald Donkor is a complete midfielder. At 21 years of age, the Ghanaian is extremely impactful on both sides of the ball for Red Bulls. He covers so much ground and is a weapon joining in on the press, but is also immensely composed on the ball. His ability to turn and accelerate into space gets his team from defense into attack often, and into high-leverage positions as well. Donkor has added more end product to his game as a box to box midfielder this year, chipping in with 2 goals and 5 assists. In any phase of the game, Ronald Donkor is a valuable asset for Red Bulls.

Sporting Kansas City - 21 years old

It's hard to believe that Owen Wolff still qualifies on this list, such is that quality that he has shown over the years. However, injuries hampered his 2026 season, or else he may be higher on this list. He is a versatile midfielder that contributes to his team in many ways, and he will no doubt be a fundamental building block for Sporting Kansas City as they continue their rebuild.

Columbus Crew - 20 years old

Taha Habroune has leveled up this season when he has played as an 8 for the Crew. It feels like he's been around for a while, but now that he's been deployed slightly deeper, he has become more impactful as an all action midfielder. He is great at winning the ball back for his team and putting the opposing midfield under pressure. When Columbus are building out, he is comfortable with dropping deep and distributing when needed, while also being able to make intelligent runs that free up the other pieces on his team. Habroune is one of the most balanced young midfielders in the league, and the sky is the limit for the young American.

Matthew Corcoran - 20 years old

Matthew Corcoran may slip under the radar at the club level when there are so many excellent performers on Nashville's roster. However, one can not understate the importance of Corcoran's role in this side this season. He has filled in admirably for Partick Yazbek and Eddy Tagseth when needed without much of a drop off. He is confident on the ball and has a brilliant passing range, which suits Callaghan's system perfectly. At just 20 yeards old, Corcoran already looks like he could become one of the league's best and most consistent midfielders for years to come.

New York Red Bulls - 20 years old

Julián Bazán has gotten most of his starts after the World Cup break. The young Colombian has been essential to Michael Bradley's new tactical set up that keeps Red Bulls in a lower block. At his best, Bazán is absolutely dominant, mopping up everything that comes into the 18 yard box. His reading of the game is very impressive for such a young defender. Now it's about developing consistency for Bazán, who could be a future defender of the year candidate.

FC Dallas - 21 years old

Nolan Norris may not be the flashiest player on this list, but he has been effective for Dalls this season. He can be deployed as a left back, a left center back, or in the middle of a back three. The 21 year old has grown into his role for an excellent FC Dallas side, and his impressive defending has been a big reason why. Norris is a rare commodity in that he is a left footed center back, and if he continues developing as he has this season, there is no reason why he couldn't become a starter for the USMNT.

Austin FC - 18 years old

Ervin Torres didn't really burst onto the scene until Leagues Cup. However, the 18 year old immediately impacted the team. He is calm on the ball, allowing him to receive the ball anywhere on the field, and he has excellent vision. For an Austin side that is in transition, especially in midfield, Torres will certainly be a big part of what Jim Curtin will do next season. With a more coherent system and better players around him, Torres is just going to keep improving.

Charlotte FC - 19 years old

Rodolfo Aloko is a hugely exciting winger. Still just 19 years old, he's split minutes between Charlotte FC and Crown Legacy this season. The Beninese has been dominant in Next Pro, and has been somewhat productive in MLS play, logging 2 goals and 4 assists across 24 appearances. It's clear he's still raw, but the talent is definitely there. He's fast and powerful and knows where the danger is. Aloko is dynamic on the dribble and, with more polish, has the potential to become a game breaker on the wing.