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MLS Oct 10, 2024

MLS 22 Under 22 Class revealed for 2024, topped by Inter Miami’s Diego Gómez

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer unveiled the full 2024 22 Under 22 Class, highlighting the best young international and domestic players across the league.

The players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass Talent, and select media. Topping the list in 2024 is Inter Miami CF and Paraguayan National Team midfielder Diego Gómez, who is the first Miami player to be ranked No. 1 overall. Gómez joins Miguel Almiron (2017, Atlanta United) as the only Paraguayan players to win 22 Under 22.

2024 22 Under 22 Class
Rank Player Club Age Academy(s)
1 Diego Gómez Inter Miami CF 21 Club Libertad
2 Diego Luna Real Salt Lake 21 Barca Residency Academy, San Jose Earthquakes
3 Jack McGlynn Philadelphia Union 21 Philadelphia Union, BW Gottschee
4 Brian Gutiérrez Chicago Fire FC 21 Chicago Fire FC
5 Federico Redondo Inter Miami CF 21 Argentinos Juniors
6 Benjamin Cremaschi Inter Miami CF 19 Inter Miami CF, Weston FC
7 Obed Vargas Seattle Sounders FC 19 Seattle Sounders FC
8 Quinn Sullivan Philadelphia Union 20 Philadelphia Union
9 Jalen Neal LA Galaxy 21 LA Galaxy
10 Esmir Bajraktarević New England Revolution 19 New England Revolution, SC Wave, Chicago Fire FC
11 Daniel Edelman New York Red Bulls 21 New York Red Bulls, PDA
12 Tomás Avilés Inter Miami CF 20 Atlético Boxing Club
13 Chris Brady Chicago Fire FC 20 Chicago Fire FC
14 Nathan Saliba CF Montréal 20 CF Montréal
15 Kevin Kelsy FC Cincinnati 20 Mineros de Guayana
16 Julián Aude LA Galaxy 21 Club Atlético Lanús
17 Owen Wolff Austin FC 19 Austin FC, Atlanta United, Columbus Crew
18 Cavan Sullivan Philadelphia Union 15 Philadelphia Union
19 David Martínez Los Angeles Football Club 18 Monagas S.C.
20 Christian McFarlane New York City FC 17 New York City FC
21 David Ruiz Inter Miami CF 20 Inter Miami CF
22 Peyton Miller New England Revolution 16 New England Revolution, Oakwood Soccer Club

The 2024 version of the list includes a total of 16 Homegrown players, with Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna ranking the highest at No. 2 overall. The most represented club is Inter Miami CF with five players, while four other clubs had multiple selections on the list – the Philadelphia Union (three), Chicago Fire FC (two), the LA Galaxy (two), and the New England Revolution (two). Players on this year’s 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR list entered through two different mechanisms: Homegrown signings (16) and U22 Initiative signings (six).

Several players on the list have progressed through the MLS Pro Player Pathway, beginning their careers in MLS NEXT before competing in MLS NEXT Pro and then starring in MLS. Ten players in this year’s class previously played in MLS NEXT, as well as 10 who have seen action in MLS NEXT Pro. Notable MLS NEXT standouts include Inter Miami CF’s Benjamin Cremaschi (No. 6), who was named the U16 2021 MLS NEXT Cup MVP with MLS NEXT Elite Academy Weston FC, and Peyton Miller (No. 22), who helped lead the U19 New England Revolution to an MLS NEXT Cup title in 2023 as a 15-year-old.

Notable MLS NEXT Pro alumni include New York City FC defender Christian McFarlane, who played in 29 games with New York City FC II from 2022-24, as well as Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who has scored three goals and added four assists with Philadelphia Union II this season. Earlier this year, Sullivan became the youngest player to debut for a North American major league sports team when he made his debut for the Union at the age of 14 years and 293 days old.

To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on October 19, and therefore must have been born after October 20, 2002. The all-time 22 Under 22 winners are below.

NOTE: prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.

22 Under 22 Winners
Year Player Club Current Club
2024 Diego Gómez Inter Miami CF Inter Miami CF
2023 Alan Velasco FC Dallas FC Dallas
2022 Jesús Ferreira FC Dallas FC Dallas
2021 Ricardo Pepi FC Dallas PSV (NED)
2020 Brenden Aaronson Philadelphia Union Leeds United (ENG)
2019 Diego Rossi Los Angeles Football Club Columbus Crew
2018 Alphonso Davies Vancouver Whitecaps FC Bayern Munich (GER)
2017 Miguel Almiron Atlanta United Newcastle United (ENG)
2016 Cyle Larin Orlando City SC Mallorca (ESP)
2015 Fabián Castillo FC Dallas Deportivo Cali (COL)
2014 DeAndre Yedlin Seattle Sounders FC FC Cincinnati
2013 Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers Columbus Crew
2012 Darren Mattocks Vancouver Whitecaps FC N/A
2011 Brek Shea FC Dallas N/A
2010 Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC Deportivo Cali (COL)

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