2024/25 Preseason Academy Rankings

With the 2024/25 season quickly approaching here are our preseason academy rankings. We take a look at both the young academy graduates making an impact in MLS, and the current 2007, 2008, and 2009 groups.

1. Philadelphia Union

The Union are on top of the academy game right now. They have arguably the best group of 2004-2006 graduates in the country, and they have a loaded 2007-09 group. Notable names go from Jack McGlynn (2004) to Cavan Sullivan (2009). The Union have been dominate winning three trophies in the past two years including back to back U17 Ga Cups. The 2007 group boasts the likes of Neil Pierre, Zach Mastrodimos, Diego Rocio and talented center back Andrew Craig. 2008 group has many names as well Jamir Johnson, Peyton Presson, and Anisse Saidi. All are highly rated prospects. This group of players is also supported by fantastic prospects who would all be top names at other academies. The 2009 group is headlined by Cavan Sullivan, Malik Jakupovic, and recent addition Marcelo Alvalos. Alvalos just joined from the San Jose Earthquakes who you will read more about later down on this list. The Union are clearly doing something right from the directors to the coaching staff.

Rating: 9.7/10

2. NY Red Bulls

Along with the Union, the Red Bulls are one of the most talked about academies in the country. From the big names of Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti to lesser known prospects like Gil de Souza and Alex Gomez the Red Bulls have arguably the most future professionals in their academy setup. It was heavily rumored that they were also vying for Marcelo Alvalos, and he would add to the most talented group of academy keepers in the country. Aidan Stokes and Tobias Szewczyk are arguably the best 2008 and 2009 keepers in the country. The thing that separates the top two is success in competitions. Philadelphia Union have been boarder line dominant in competitions primarily at the U17 level. The Red Bulls did win U15 MLS Next Cup just over a year ago, but that success has not translated to the U17 level as of yet.

Rating: 9.6/10

3. LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy U17s were one of if not the best the best team in the country last season. They picked up a big win in the MLS Next Cup final against Charlotte FC after beating the Union in a rematch of the Ga Cup final. The Galaxy are now heavily pushing their 2007s into their second team affiliate Ventura County. Harbor Miller, Ruben Ramos Jr., and Gabriel Arnold have played big roles with the side this season. Along with many others making their professional debuts. Galaxy helped produce Mathis Albert who is now onto Bourissa Dortmund, and the likes of Owen Pratt, Eddie Chadwick, and Max Steelman are all highly rated by scouts.

Rating: 9.6/10

4. FC Dallas

FC Dallas’ academy have produced so many big names in the past couple of years, and I think its safe to say their will be a few more in the coming years. Dallas has a strong group of 2007-2009 players. Dallas has recruited some top talent from Barca Residency academy and various other academies. Leo Orejarena and Isaiah Kaakoush both have joined in the past couple of months from Barca Residency academy. Not to mention all the talent they already had. Steel Cook, Jordan Eason, and Christian Wygant are promising 2009 players. The older age groups are quite talented as well boasting the likes of Ian Charles, Ian Witis, and Bryce Outman.

Rating: 9.3/10

5. NYCFC

NYCFC gives more minutes to younger players than nearly everyone in the country. The likes of Maximo Carrizo, Christian McFarlane, Andrew Baiera, Jacob Arroyave, Jonathan Shore, and Adam Basse are all great 2007 and 2008 players who play for the second team. The club also just signed Peter Molinari who was born in 2009. The academy also has very strong players who like Philadelphia Union, would be standout names at other clubs.

Rating: 9.2/10

6. San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jos Earthquakes have an argument to be even higher on this list. They have incredibly talented 2007s and 2009s. Their 2008 group is not too far behind with the likes of Chance Cowell who has already signed a pro contract with the club. The 2007 class is headlined by Tomo Allen and Rohan Rajagopal. Rohan has signed a contract while Allen is headed Stanford next year. The 2009 class is was good as it gets. Despite the loss of Marcelo Alvalos, they still have a ton of talent headlined by Kaedren Spivey and Will Ostrander.

Rating: 9.2/10

7. Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew have really stepped up their game in the past couple the past couple of years. The 2006 class is magnificent with five big names who all play roles with the second team, and Taha Habroune and Cole Mrowka have both played for the first team. The most notable prospect in the academy as of now is Chase Adams who has been absolutely ripping up MLS Next Pro.

Rating: 8.9/10

8. Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake is one of the most well known and talked about academies in the country for a good reason. They have a strong 2007 class, and they have made many additions from other clubs to bolster that. Aidan Herzarkhani recently joined from Strikers FC and he has already signed a pro contract. Not to mention other 2007 who have been at the club like Zavier Gozo and Owen Anderson. The 2008 class is also among the best in the country with many USYNT stars like Luca Moisa, Gio Villa, Omar Marquez, and a few others.

Rating: 8.9/10

9. ATL United

Atlanta United is another academy with a very strong 2007 and 2008 class. They also just shipped off 2005 born talent Caleb Wiley to Chelsea. They also recently brought in Rodrigo Neri from Atletico Madrid. The 2007 class is most notably headlined by a Adyn Torres, Kaiden Moore, and Ashton Gordon. the 2008 and 2009s are also extremely talented with Cooper Sanchez who recently signed a pro deal, and a group of 2009s who are all apart of the USYNT program.

Rating: 8.6/10

10. FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati have been the biggest risers ver the past year in our eyes, and it would be disrespectful to not put them in this list. The work the staff have been putting in is incredible, and it has cultivated in the rise of Stefan Chirila, the best 2007 born goalscorer in the country. FC Cincinnati also put together a good squad of 2009 and 2010 players who made a deep run in MLS Next Cup. Would not be surprised to see them rise higher on this list.

Rating: 8.6/10

Honorable Mentions

New England Evolution

Chicago Fire

Inter Miami

LAFC