Top 20 Youngsters In MLS…

Last week Martin Rogers posted his top 20 players in MLS. This has started a lot of discussion on Big Soccer and other forums. Heck, even From The Pitch is going to have a portion of next week's show dedicated to it. Whether you agree or disagree with his list, Rogers has a fun idea for a topic. Since this is From College To The Pros we’re going to talk about the best young players in MLS.

This type of exercise always requires some ground rules. #1, “youngster” to me means under 25 years of age. So, anyone born before February 22, 1983, you’re out! That is the rule. It doesn’t matter how long they’ve been in the league, or how many national team caps they have or whatever. Over 25, and you’re out. Also, rookies who haven’t yet played in a league game will no be considered, so don’t expect to see Tony Beltran or Chance Myers on my list. Also, a guy with a boat load of potential but who hasn’t played in more then 5 games, isn’t going to make the cut. We need to see what these guys have done to rate them.

Here are the guys who just missed the cut off by already celebrating their 25th birthdays this year: Guy-Roland Kpene, Jerrod Laventure, Chris Rolfe, Ricardo Clark, Paulo Nagamura, Aaron Pitchkolan & Bobby Boswell. Sorry guys. Younger then them there are around 140 guys, so we’ll have plenty to choose from.

Let’s get into it.

#1 - Sacha Kljestan – Chivas USA – 22 yrs: Since joining the league in 2006, Kljestan has played a big role in Chivas USA’s success. Last year he really blossomed and instead of having a sophomore slump, he scored 4 goals and made 13 assists. Guys like Razov and Galindo don’t look as good without him. He’s a typical box to box midfielder who is as comfortable defending as he is controlling the attack. Having Jesse Marsch as a partner in the Goats’ midfield can only help.

#2 - Michael Parkhurst – New England – 24 yrs: Parkhurst has showed in his MLS career that size doesn’t matter when it comes to center backs. It is kind of funny to think of, because he’s not short at 5’ 11”, but somehow he has this “short” aurora around him. Whatever it is, he’s the centerpiece of the defense that makes Matt Reis look good and has gotten New England to MLS cup three straight years. Parkhurst understand how the game works and uses that knowledge to shut down MLS offenses.

#3 – Justin Mapp – Chicago – 23 yrs: Some of you are probably surprised to see Mapp this high on the list, or on the list at all. Yes, he’s just 23 entering his 7th season in the league. Take 2007 out of the equation and you’ll agree with me. He’s the best young winger in the league. He’s got ball skills, passing skills and understands the game. He’s played in over 100 games in his MLS career and until the injury bug got him he was knocking on the US national team door. During 2005 and 2006 he was a Chicago regular and a reason for their success. Here’s hoping he can reignite that Fire in 2008.

#4 - Juan Toja – FC Dallas – 22 yrs: I loved watching him in '07. I hope to see more quality out of the youngster in '08. If they're going to win MLS Cup, Toja is going to be a big part of it. His creativity and skill on the ball is nice.

#5 - Jozy Altidore – New York – 18 yrs. The youngster has to make the top five of this list, right? He's loaded with potential and I hope we get to see another full season of him in MLS, however I fear he'll be gone in July. Learning from Juan Pablo Angel will keep improving his game. He’s shown he can score on all levels, now he has to sustain the form and grow his game.

#6 - Brad Guzan – Chivas USA – 23 yrs: Guzan has quickly established himself as the third goalkeeper on the US National Team and first choice at Chivas USA. His third season in the league was by far his best and he shows great ability in the nets. I wonder if having a good team in front of him made him look good enough to move him up this list, but you can’t take away some of the amazing saves he’s made on national TV.

#7 - Kenny Cooper – FC Dallas – 23 yrs: Cooper has already been there, done that when it comes to playing in Europe. We’ll see if he ever wants to go back. While his 2007 season was cut short with injury, now that he is top dog in Dallas the pressure will be on to lead the team in goal scoring. From what I’ve seen, I think he can do it. He’ll need to work hard to keep healthy but he has a nose for goal and should become the next target forward for the US National Team al la Brian McBride.

#8 - Maurice Edu – Toronto – 21 yrs: Edu had a great rookie season on the way to earning the Rookie of the Year award. His team had the typical expansion team blues and didn’t perform up to the level he was playing. He’s got a bright future in the game both in MLS and at the national level.

#9 - Francisco Mendoza – Chivas USA – 22 yrs: The young Mexican player started with Chivas and then moved to the American outpost when the expansion team looked terrible. In 2007 he continued to be the engine of the surging club’s midfield and helped them to one of the best records in the league. During the off-season it sounded like he was headed back to Chivas’ mother ship, but right now it looks like MLS fans will get to watch him another season.

#10 - Arturo Alvarez – FC Dallas – 22yrs: Alvarez is another youngster where it is hard to believe he’s been in the league for five seasons. In 2007 he solidified himself in the Dallas midfield and showed why there was hype around him when he joined MLS. He’s been on most if not all of the US Youth national teams and should get a shot at the left side of the senior team one of these days.

#11 - Facundo Erpen – Colorado – 24 yrs: Erpen is quickly approaching our cut off date but he made the list. The young Argentinean has been a consistent starter the past two seasons, for two different teams. In the second half of the 2007 season he helped calm Colorado’s defense which was the centerpiece of their unsuccessful push to the playoffs. While Bouna Condoul gets most of the credit for one of the league’s top defenses, Erpen’s ability to play center back and outside back helps his value to his employer. In 2008 he will be a key figure in Colorado’s back line.

#12 - Stuart Holden – Houston – 22yrs: Holden has scored some amazing MLS goals storming forward from his midfield position. As a Rapids fan, it feels like I have seen too many of them against my team. This kid has what it takes to be the next Steve Ralston in MLS. He knows how to play his position and he does it well.

#13 - Dane Richards – New York – 24 yrs: Soccer coaches like to say, “you can’t teach speed.” They’re right, it is a god given talent. With Richards this really comes home to roost. The kid is so fast it is sometimes frightening. He’s the type of winger who can run down anything, including an over hit long ball and the left back. In his rookie season he became a mainstay on the right of the New York midfield. He needs to learn a couple more tricks to continue his development, but look for him to continue wreaking havoc at full speed on the right side.

#14 - Robbie Findley – Salt Lake – 22 yrs: Findley was traded mid-season from one bad team to another just when he seemed to be getting his rookie grove on. The trade benefited Salt Lake a lot as he helped them win some games. In 2008 Salt Lake has made some good moves and Findley should benefit from a more established team/head coach. Coach Kries is the perfect person to teach Findley how to become a league leading goal scorer.

#15 - Ryan Cochrane – San Jose – 24 yrs: Cochrane has established himself as one of the top young defenders in MLS having helped Houston to MLS Cup twice. Now he’s back in San Jose to try and help the expansion club get off the ground. He’s a solid guy to build a back line around. In his four years in the league he’s undoubtedly learned how to marshal the defense and should help San Jose.

#16 - Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA – 23 yrs: Bornstein had a dream rookie year and suffered a bit of a sophomore slump in 2007. He’s had experience at all levels with the US Nats and will look to reassert himself at the left back position in 2008. He is certainly one of the best young utility players in MLS as he is able to play anywhere on the left side. His rookie year he showed he can contribute to offense and defense. Hopefully Preki’s system isn’t taking away from his ability.

#17 - Chad Barrett – Chicago – 22yrs: Whenever I see a picture of Barrett I think of Wayne Rooney. While they’re not the same players on the field, I think Barrett does play a little like him. Barrett can score goals and as he is maturing he is fitting into MLS better and better. His production has gone up each season and Chicago fans want to see him become the game winning goal scorer he seems to be. With the addition of Tomasz Frankowski the front line in Chi-Town becomes more crowded and Barrett will have to step up to keep on the field.

#18 - Eddie Gaven – Columbus – 21yrs: Gaven is another one of those guys when you see his age you don’t believe it because he seems to have been in MLS for so long already. As you can see, his career is ahead of him. I like him as a winger, and I think if he was playing for DC, Chivas, New England or Houston he’d probably be higher on the list, but he hasn’t been able to change the fortunes of his teams. Each season he puts up nice numbers but doesn’t win anything. I’d like to see what he can do with solid players around him.

#19 - Ugo Ihemelu - Colorado – 24 yrs: If I had to guess I’d say that Ugo is one of the only defenders who can run down speedy Landycakes. Really, I remember the Rapids playing LA last season and Ugo caught up to him, making up about 10 yards. That is not an easy feat. Ugo suffered a big injury in 2007 and will have to rebound to keep his starting place, as the Rapids backline is crowded. He has shown well at both center back and right back. I’m looking forward to watching him in 2008.

#20 - Dax McCarty – FC Dallas – 20 yrs: Dax really came into his own in 2007. He showed he can control a game and dictate play from the midfield. Dallas will rely on him more in 2008 now that we’ve all seen what he can do. He should also get more chances with the National Team and a trip to the Olympics is certainly attainable.

Ok folks, there you go. This is a lot harder then it looks. Before you come up with all your carefully worded slams of what I’ve done, do it yourself. You start looking at this list of players and #14 vs. #19 becomes a lot harder. Obviously, a lot of these guys mean different things to different teams and could move up, or down, a few spots depending on personal opinion.

One of the most interesting things for me is seeing how many players have Chivas USA next to their name. Chivas USA has been doing well in the draft. DC, LA and KC didn’t have anyone make the list. Michael Harrington was close, he’s probably my #21. In terms of the other two teams I think it is more a statement that they try and bring in older, more established players as opposed to growing their own.

Finally, I have to apologize to Mr. Rogers. I was critical of his original list, but having done this myself, I now know how hard it is. Enjoy!