2026 22 Under 22 Rankings

Major League Soccer's annual 22 Under 22 list ranks the league's top 22 players under 22 years old – as voted by an expert panel of select MLS staff, Apple TV talent and Club technical staff.

Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan leads the 2026 rankings, which include:

• 15 Homegrown players
• 6 players from abroad
• Most represented club: Philadelphia Union & Red Bull New York (3 each)
• Youngest-ever winner: Cavan Sullivan (17 years & 22 days)
• Average age: ~ 20 years old

Eligibility criteria

• Age cutoff: Players remain 21 or younger before the end of the 2026 MLS regular season, which is Decision Day on Nov. 7. Players must be born on/after Nov. 8, 2004.
• Voting period: Oct. 5-9

Voting pool

• Ballots submitted: 57
• MLS club participation: 20 of 30 teams – including head coaches, chief soccer officers, technical directors and lead scouts.
• Players receiving votes: 95

The 2026 season will be remembered as the year when Cavan Sullivan turned hype into on-field impact. The Philadelphia Union’s 17-year-old phenom became a bona fide superstar for club and country amid a historic run of form that has Philly eyeing MLS Cup presented by Audi glory and USMNT fans dreaming big ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Sullivan is the youngest-ever 22 Under 22 winner, surpassing former Vancouver Whitecaps star and current Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies in 2018 (17 years and 355 days). He is the second-ever 22 Under 22 winner from the Philadelphia Union, joining academy product and Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson in 2020.

Academy: Philadelphia Union

From setting MLS records to scoring in his first three USMNT appearances, Julian Hall has had a 2026 to remember. Red Bull New York’s 18-year-old homegrown forward has officially taken the leap, earning his first MLS All-Star selection while producing a club-best 11g/5a.

Academy: Red Bull New York

At the tender age of 17, Adri Mehmeti has played with the skill and savvy of a seasoned veteran midfielder during his rookie 2026 season. These attributes shot the Red Bull New York homegrown to instant stardom in MLS and beyond, earning comparisons to legendary midfielder Sergio Busquets and opening the door to the USMNT.

Academy: Red Bull New York

Is Mbekezeli Mbokazi the Chicago Fire's signing of the season? That’s a bold statement, especially considering the club also acquired legendary Polish striker Robert Lewandowski over the summer. But the 21-year-old center back has been a revelation in his debut campaign, earning the most fan votes for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game as arguably the finest pure defender in the league. Add a breakout World Cup with South Africa, and Mbokazi’s rising star shows no signs of slowing down.

Academies: Orlando Pirates, Makhasa FC

Ellis has burst onto the scene for Orlando in 2026, impressing world-class teammate Antoine Griezmann while emerging as one of MLS’s most exciting young attackers. The 19-year-old homegrown forward carried that form onto the international stage, scoring just four minutes into his USMNT debut against Peru, making history as the fastest debutant goalscorer in the program’s modern era.

Academies: Orlando City, Inter Miami CF, Weston FC

Miller makes his third straight appearance on the 22 Under 22 list amid a breakout 2026 season with the New England Revolution. The 18-year-old left-sided player added an attacking dimension to his game under first-year Revs coach Marko Mitrović, who previously coached him at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Now, Miller is eyeing the 2030 World Cup with the senior USMNT after earning his first call-up from Mauricio Pochettino last month.

Academies: New England Revolution, Oakwood SC

Philadelphia’s remarkable post-World Cup turnaround has several explanations, among them Pierre's increased role. With his imposing 6-foot-7 frame and raw defensive instincts, the center back immediately established himself as a top MLS defender with an eye for goal. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino quickly took notice and handed Pierre his first senior caps during the September/October international window.

Academy: Philadelphia Union

Tsakiris has turned increased opportunity into his most productive MLS season yet, emerging as a dynamic part of San Jose’s rejuvenated attack. After years of flashing potential as a homegrown prospect, the 21-year-old has put it all together in 2026, posting 3g/11a in his first full season as a starter.

Academies: San Jose Earthquakes, IMG Academy, De Anza Force Soccer Club

After playing an important role in San Diego’s run to the 2025 Western Conference Final as a rookie, Duah has further blossomed during his second professional season. The former No. 1 overall MLS SuperDraft pick has emerged as one of the league’s top young defenders, and has even drawn the attention of Ghana's national team.

Academy: Santa Barbara Soccer Club

Raines has leveled up in his first season with the New England Revolution, who acquired the box-to-box midfielder from Houston Dynamo FC last offseason. He's reunited with head coach Marko Mitrović and is now firmly in the USMNT picture after earning his senior debut during the September/October international window.

Academies: Barca Residency Academy, Houston Dynamo FC

Philadelphia’s third homegrown on this year’s list (along with Sullivan and Pierre), Westfield also parlayed his club success into a USMNT debut during the September/October international window. Unlike Sullivan and Pierre, however, the 20-year-old right back is already an established veteran, producing a career-best 11 assists this season after helping the Union win the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield.

Academy: Philadelphia Union

One of RBNY’s elder “Baby Bulls,” Donkor continued to thrive as a field-tilting midfielder during his third full MLS season. The 21-year-old’s club form earned him his first call-up to Ghana’s senior national team for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.

Academies: JMG Academy Bamako, Guidars FC

Habroune has jumped from prospect to key contributor for the Crew, offering versatility and passing range no matter where he is deployed in midfield – and is even developing a knack for scoring against Hell is Real rivals FC Cincinnati. The 20-year-old US youth international follows a long line of Crew homegrowns, which includes Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter and Sean Zawadzki.

Academy: Columbus Crew

A major catalyst of Inter Miami's run to the MLS Cup 2025 title, Silvetti was developing into one of the league’s top young attackers before a shoulder injury cut short his first full season with the Herons. The future nonetheless looks sky-bright for the 20-year-old Argentine, who showed immediate chemistry with fellow Rosario native Lionel Messi in South Florida.

Academy: CA Newell's Old Boys

After joining Vancouver from Ecuadorian powerhouse Barcelona SC ahead of the 2026 season, Caicedo immediately helped the ‘Caps recover from the losses of Canadian wingers Ali Ahmed and Jayden Nelson. The 21-year-old adds dynamism on the wing, with speed, skill and flair, plus an eye for goal.

Academy: Barcelona SC

Austin FC’s first-ever homegrown signing joined Sporting Kansas City over the summer in a cash-for-player trade worth up to $7.6 million. That’s how much SKC value the 21-year-old midfielder, who, despite an injury-riddled 2026, is a centerpiece of the club’s ambitious rebuild under president of soccer operations and general manager David Lee.

Academies: Austin FC, Atlanta United, Columbus Crew

A Seattle Sounders homegrown, Baker-Whiting was traded to Nashville SC ahead of the 2026 season. Baker-Whiting has since carved out a key role in the backline, helping pace the Music City club towards elite play. At just 21, the defender has already made 112 senior appearances across all competitions.

Academy: Seattle Sounders FC

Still just 18, Sanchez has become a fixture in Atlanta’s midfield and taken hold of a starting role for most of the 2026 season. After making just two first-team appearances in 2025, the academy product has established himself as a significant piece of Atlanta’s present and future.

Academy: Atlanta United

An Austin FC homegrown, Torres has quickly developed from an emerging prospect into a key piece of the Verde & Black midfield during the 2026 campaign. The 18-year-old is only in his first full professional season with Austin, yet has already provided multiple timely assists as well as a stunning, long-range golazo, the first in his pro career.

Academy: Austin FC

LAFC boast a star-studded roster that includes superstars Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga, providing Terry a fertile environment to develop. At just 18, the US youth international has become one of the league’s most intriguing prospects with incisive passing and an eye for goal. We wouldn't be surprised to see him rocket up these rankings next year.

Academy: LAFC

Much of the headlines surrounding Nashville's incredible 2026 season will rightly go to club superstars such as Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Cristian Espinoza. But Corcoran has quietly had a very strong year in the middle of the park for the Coyotes. At age 20, the US youth international has registered career highs in minutes played and assists as NSC chase the Supporters' Shield.

Academy: FC Dallas

Kaick may not be the flashiest name on the FC Dallas teamsheet, but make no mistake, he has evolved into one of the most important players in the squad. The 20-year-old Brazilian sets the tone in midfield and offers FCD a boost on both ends of the pitch. He's played the second-most minutes on the team in 2026.

Academy: Grêmio

• No. 23: Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Tate Johnson
• No. 24: LA Galaxy defender Harbor Miller
• No. 25: New York City FC forward Luighi
• No. 26: Colorado Rapids forward Darren Yapi
• No. 27: Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Jeevan Badwal
• No. 28: Charlotte FC forward Rodolfo Aloko
• No. 29: Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Snyder Brunell
• No. 30: New England Revolution defender Ethan Kohler