Young Players to look out for in the 2025 MLS season.

Plenty of young players are set to join their respective clubs in preseason this year for preseason. In the past we have seen as many as 8-10 academy players travel with the first team. Here are a few players we think could impress while in preseason, and therefore; eventually make an impact on their MLS squad later in the season.

Maximo Carrizo - NYCFC (2008)

We have pegged this as Maximo Carrizo’s year to breakout. A true dynamic number 10, and he has already been on the preseason tour with NYCFC a number of times now. Carrizo has also appeared on the bench for NYCFC a few time , and is an internal part of the USYNT 2008 squad.

Neil Pierre - Philadelphia Union (2007)

Pierre was probably the best player on the Philadelphia Union II squad that did not get an opportunity to progress to the first team. Pierre is a central defender which makes it a bit harder to accomplish it, but there is no doubt in many minds that he will be up to the task.

Adria Mehmeti - NY Red Bulls (2009)

Mehmeti is a very young player, but we would not be surprised if he is the second 2009 born player to make their MLS debut. Mehmeti is a solid central defensive midfielder who has already proven himself at the MLS Next Pro level. He will more than likely be on the Red Bull’s preseason roster.

Jude Terry - LAFC (2008)

Terry plays pretty much the same position as Adri Mehmeti, and he is just a year old. One of the 2008 players wit the highest ceiling in the entire class. He is the captain of the 2008 USYNT, and we would not be shocked to see him debut with the first team in 2025.

USMNT January Roster Review

The USMNT have announced the first roster of 2025, so let’s take a look at some of the players selected. This is NOT a FIFA sanctioned window, so that is why this squad is full of MLS players. Despite the limited selection, Mauricio Pochettino has selected a few notable young players who will hopefully end up featuring in these games. To begin, the likes of Diego Luna, Benja Cremaschi, and Brian Gutierrez. All there of these players are young players coming out of MLS. Diego Luna was a player that many USMNT fans demanded be called into the Olympic squad last July, but he was unfortunately left out of the squad. Luna is a player to watch out for to see if he possible gets a move to Europe in the summer. Cremaschi is a U20 player, and will more than likely be one of the captains of the U20 squad if he is released for the Under-20 World Cup later this year. Brian Gutierrez is a winger for the Chicago Fire. Gutierrez is a notable addition to the squad as rumors were swirling that the Mexican federation wanted him to join their side last year.

While this is most defiantly not the best group of players the USMNT has sent off to a camp, here is a look at a possible starting line up we could see in the friendlies.

Diego Luna Jesus Ferreira Brian Guitierrez

Jack McGlynn

Benja Cremaschi

Emeka Eneli

DeJuan Jones Tim Ream Miles Robinson John Tolkin

Zack Steffen

MLS Next Players To Watch In 2025

A look at some of the players we will have our eyes on to see how they perform in the second half of the regular season heading into Generation adidas Cup.

Gustavo Caraballo - Orlando City SC U18s

Caraballo has joven to be one of the best attacking midfielders throughout the first part of the 24/25 MLS Next season. His squad is currently undefeated, and they are our number one ranked team in the country. He is still a 2008 born player and he is already signed to a professional contract.

Eric Izoita - Portland Timbers U18s

Eric Izoita is also central midfielder for the Portland Timbers academy. He is a 2007 born player who has had some experience I the second team’s setup. He has been one of the top players from the fall season, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue this.