Best U23 Young Players in the MLS
236 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Players in the MLS (Oct 2026)
233 players tracked across 31 clubs. Updated October 2026.
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Diego Luna
Real Salt Lake • 23 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.8M
58.3
Julian Hall
Red Bull New York • 18 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €8.8M
55.2
Paxten Aaronson
Colorado Rapids • 23 years old
€5.2M
€6.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.8M
54.7
Telasco Segovia
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 23 years old
€5.2M
€6.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €5.8M
54.7
Mateo Silvetti
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 20 years old
€5.2M
€6.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €6.6M
53.5
Agustín Ojeda
New York City Football Club • 22 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
53.1
Zavier Gozo
Real Salt Lake • 19 years old
€5.2M
€6.0M
+15.6%
52.6
Jack McGlynn
Houston Dynamo • 23 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
52.4
Quinn Sullivan
Philadelphia Union • 22 years old
€4.3M
€5.0M
+15.6%
52.0
Idan Toklomati
Charlotte Football Club • 22 years old
€3.9M
€4.5M
+15.6%
51.8
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Sign up freeDiego Luna
Real Salt Lake · 23 years old
58.3
ASI
Current Value
€8.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€6.8M - €8.8M
Julian Hall
Red Bull New York · 18 years old
55.2
ASI
Current Value
€8.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€7.0M - €10.6M
Paxten Aaronson
Colorado Rapids · 23 years old
54.7
ASI
Current Value
€6.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€5.1M - €6.6M
Telasco Segovia
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami · 23 years old
54.7
ASI
Current Value
€6.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€5.1M - €6.6M
Mateo Silvetti
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami · 20 years old
53.5
ASI
Current Value
€6.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€5.2M - €8.0M
Agustín Ojeda
New York City Football Club · 22 years old
53.1
ASI
Current Value
€5.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Zavier Gozo
Real Salt Lake · 19 years old
52.6
ASI
Current Value
€6.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Jack McGlynn
Houston Dynamo · 23 years old
52.4
ASI
Current Value
€5.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Quinn Sullivan
Philadelphia Union · 22 years old
52.0
ASI
Current Value
€5.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Idan Toklomati
Charlotte Football Club · 22 years old
51.8
ASI
Current Value
€4.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: MLS Young Players (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 233 MLS Young Players as of October 2026, representing 31 clubs with a combined market value of €324.1M. The average market value for MLS Young Players is €1.4M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young player in the MLS is Diego Luna, worth €8.0M and playing for Real Salt Lake at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Players average €6.8M in market value, including Julian Hall and Paxten Aaronson.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young player is Julian Hall (18 years, Red Bull New York, €8.0M), while the oldest is Diego Luna (23 years, Real Salt Lake, €8.0M). Research shows Young Players typically peak at age 26.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 194 Young Players (83%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The MLS market for Young Players remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in MLS
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Young Players. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 31 clubs with €324.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Young Players
The MLS ALL market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (158 players, 68% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €239.0M, averaging €1.5M per player.
Top Young Players by Age Bracket
U21 Years (75 players)
21-23 Years (158 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 24 Young Players (10% of players) control €116.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 5% of the MLS ALL pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Young Players
Among 31 MLS clubs, Real Salt Lake leads with 11 Young Players worth €23.8M (averaging €2.2M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 44% of tracked Young Players.
Real Salt Lake (11 Young Players)
Colorado Rapids (14 Young Players)
Red Bull New York (14 Young Players)
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (7 Young Players)
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Red Bull New York's Julian Hall at 18 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 17.78×. That means Julian Hall is valued 17.78× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Real Salt Lake's Zavier Gozo, who is 19 years old, with a 13.33× PPVE. Third is Mateo Silvetti of Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, who is 20 years old with a 13.33× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 17.78× means the player is worth 1678% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Julian Hall Red Bull New York | 18 | U21 | €8.0M | €450K | 17.78x |
| #2 | Zavier Gozo Real Salt Lake | 19 | U21 | €6.0M | €450K | 13.33x |
| #3 | Mateo Silvetti Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | 20 | U21 | €6.0M | €450K | 13.33x |
| #4 | David Martínez Los Angeles Football Club | 20 | U21 | €5.0M | €450K | 11.11x |
| #5 | Peyton Miller New England Revolution | 18 | U21 | €4.5M | €450K | 10.00x |
| #6 | Lucas Herrington Colorado Rapids | 19 | U21 | €4.5M | €450K | 10.00x |
| #7 | Diego Luna Real Salt Lake | 23 | 21-23 | €8.0M | €1.0M | 8.00x |
| #8 | Kaick FC Dallas | 20 | U21 | €3.5M | €450K | 7.78x |
| #9 | Gennadiy Synchuk Club de Foot Montréal | 20 | U21 | €3.0M | €450K | 6.67x |
| #10 | Aiden Hezarkhani Real Salt Lake | 19 | U21 | €3.0M | €450K | 6.67x |
| #11 | Luis Otávio Orlando City Soccer Club | 19 | U21 | €3.0M | €450K | 6.67x |
| #12 | Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | 23 | 21-23 | €6.0M | €1.0M | 6.00x |
| #13 | Telasco Segovia Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | 23 | 21-23 | €6.0M | €1.0M | 6.00x |
| #14 | Taha Habroune Columbus Crew | 20 | U21 | €2.5M | €450K | 5.56x |
| #15 | Luca Bombino San Diego Football Club | 20 | U21 | €2.5M | €450K | 5.56x |
| #16 | Matthew Dos Santos Red Bull New York | 18 | U21 | €2.5M | €450K | 5.56x |
| #17 | Jack McGlynn Houston Dynamo | 23 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #18 | Quinn Sullivan Philadelphia Union | 22 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #19 | Agustín Ojeda New York City Football Club | 22 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #20 | Niko Tsakiris San Jose Earthquakes | 21 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Unlock Return-to-Peak analysis for MLS Young Players.
Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Unlock Risk-Adjusted Upside for MLS Young Players.
Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
Unlock Roster Pressure Index for MLS Young Players.
Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
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Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
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Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
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Pick a club, select up to 3 players, and build your transfer proposal.
How We Rank MLS Young Players
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young players, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for ALL
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for MLS young players, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for MLS young players, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
MLS competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
ALL Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 28, -10% at 29, steeper from 30 (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 27: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young players
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MLS Young Players, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Young Players in the MLS right now?
The most valuable young player in the MLS today is Diego Luna, who is worth €8.0M and plays for Real Salt Lake. The second most valuable is Julian Hall (€8.0M, Red Bull New York), followed by Paxten Aaronson (€6.0M, Colorado Rapids). Our database tracks 233 MLS Young Players with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are MLS Young Players ranked?
MLS Young Players are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Players. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for MLS competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Young Players peak?
How much does it cost to sign a top young player from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Young Players vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young player Diego Luna (market value: €8.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €6.4M to €11.2M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual MLS transactions.
What is the value forecast for MLS Young Players?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS Young Players based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-midfielders have ±12-15% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the MLS young player data come from?
Our MLS young player data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official MLS sources and updated monthly (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.