Best U23 Young Strikers in the MLS
35 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Strikers in the MLS (Oct 2026)
34 players tracked across 21 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.
Julian Hall
Red Bull New York • 18 years old
€6.9M
€8.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €8.8M
55.2
Idan Toklomati
Charlotte Football Club • 22 years old
€3.9M
€4.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.6M
51.8
Dor Turgeman
New England Revolution • 22 years old
€3.9M
€4.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.6M
51.8
Kevin Kelsy
Portland Timbers • 22 years old
€3.5M
€4.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.1M
50.4
Ezekiel Alladoh
Philadelphia Union • 21 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.6M
47.8
Darren Yapi
Colorado Rapids • 21 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
40.0
Nariman Akhundzada
Columbus Crew • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
38.2
Nathan Ordaz
Los Angeles Football Club • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
38.2
Matheus Nascimento
Los Angeles Galaxy • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
38.2
Sergi Solans
Real Salt Lake • 23 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
37.7
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Sign up freeJulian 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
Idan Toklomati
Charlotte Football Club · 22 years old
51.8
ASI
Current Value
€4.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€3.7M - €5.4M
Dor Turgeman
New England Revolution · 22 years old
51.8
ASI
Current Value
€4.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€3.7M - €5.4M
Kevin Kelsy
Portland Timbers · 22 years old
50.4
ASI
Current Value
€4.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€3.3M - €4.8M
Ezekiel Alladoh
Philadelphia Union · 21 years old
47.8
ASI
Current Value
€3.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€2.8M - €4.3M
Darren Yapi
Colorado Rapids · 21 years old
40.0
ASI
Current Value
€2.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Nariman Akhundzada
Columbus Crew · 22 years old
38.2
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Nathan Ordaz
Los Angeles Football Club · 22 years old
38.2
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Matheus Nascimento
Los Angeles Galaxy · 22 years old
38.2
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Sergi Solans
Real Salt Lake · 23 years old
37.7
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: MLS Young Strikers (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 34 MLS Young Strikers as of October 2026, representing 21 clubs with a combined market value of €44.3M. The average market value for MLS Young Strikers is €1.3M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young striker in the MLS is Julian Hall, worth €8.0M and playing for Red Bull New York at 18 years old. The top 5 Young Strikers average €4.9M in market value, including Idan Toklomati and Dor Turgeman.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young striker is Julian Hall (18 years, Red Bull New York, €8.0M), while the oldest is Sergi Solans (23 years, Real Salt Lake, €2.0M). Research shows Young Strikers typically peak at age 26.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 34 Young Strikers (100%) 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 Strikers 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 Strikers. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 21 clubs with €44.3M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Young Strikers
The MLS ST market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (24 players, 71% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €33.5M, averaging €1.4M per player.
Top Young Strikers by Age Bracket
U21 Years (10 players)
21-23 Years (24 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 4 Young Strikers (12% of players) control €21.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 3% of the MLS ST pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Young Strikers
Among 21 MLS clubs, Red Bull New York leads with 3 Young Strikers worth €8.3M (averaging €2.8M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 62% of tracked Young Strikers.
Red Bull New York (3 Young Strikers)
Charlotte Football Club (2 Young Strikers)
New England Revolution (2 Young Strikers)
Portland Timbers (2 Young Strikers)
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 26.67×. That means Julian Hall is valued 26.67× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is New England Revolution's Dor Turgeman, who is 22 years old, with a 6.00× PPVE. Third is Idan Toklomati of Charlotte Football Club, who is 22 years old with a 6.00× 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 26.67× means the player is worth 2567% 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 | €300K | 26.67x |
| #2 | Dor Turgeman New England Revolution | 22 | 21-23 | €4.5M | €750K | 6.00x |
| #3 | Idan Toklomati Charlotte Football Club | 22 | 21-23 | €4.5M | €750K | 6.00x |
| #4 | Kevin Kelsy Portland Timbers | 22 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €750K | 5.33x |
| #5 | Ezekiel Alladoh Philadelphia Union | 21 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €750K | 4.67x |
| #6 | Darren Yapi Colorado Rapids | 21 | 21-23 | €2.5M | €750K | 3.33x |
| #7 | Rayan Elloumi Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 19 | U21 | €800K | €300K | 2.67x |
| #8 | Sergi Solans Real Salt Lake | 23 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €750K | 2.67x |
| #9 | Matheus Nascimento Los Angeles Galaxy | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €750K | 2.67x |
| #10 | Nariman Akhundzada Columbus Crew | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €750K | 2.67x |
| #11 | Nathan Ordaz Los Angeles Football Club | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €750K | 2.67x |
| #12 | Justin Ellis Orlando City Soccer Club | 19 | U21 | €500K | €300K | 1.67x |
| #13 | Emilio Aristizábal Toronto FC | 21 | 21-23 | €1.2M | €750K | 1.60x |
| #14 | Seymour Reid New York City Football Club | 18 | U21 | €400K | €300K | 1.33x |
| #15 | Deandre Kerr Toronto FC | 23 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €750K | 1.33x |
| #16 | Anisse Saidi San Diego Football Club | 18 | U21 | €300K | €300K | 1.00x |
| #17 | Archie Goodwin Charlotte Football Club | 21 | 21-23 | €750K | €750K | 1.00x |
| #18 | Kristian Fletcher Football Club Cincinnati | 21 | 21-23 | €600K | €750K | 0.80x |
| #19 | Tanner Rosborough Red Bull New York | 18 | U21 | €200K | €300K | 0.67x |
| #20 | Chase Adams Columbus Crew | 18 | U21 | €200K | €300K | 0.67x |
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 Strikers.
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 Strikers.
Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
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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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How We Rank MLS Young Strikers
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young strikers, 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 ST
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for MLS young strikers, 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 strikers, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Attackers with 2,200+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Attackers peak at 26 with fastest 7.0%/year decline (pace-dependent). 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.
ST Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 26 years (peak pace and finishing efficiency)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 27, -10% at 28, steeper from 29 (earliest onset, pace-dependent position)
Optimal Minutes: 2,200-2,400 per season (high-intensity position requires rotation)
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 26: +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: ±18% confidence interval (most volatile, form-dependent)
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young strikers
• 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 Strikers, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Young Strikers in the MLS right now?
The most valuable young striker in the MLS today is Julian Hall, who is worth €8.0M and plays for Red Bull New York. The second most valuable is Idan Toklomati (€4.5M, Charlotte Football Club), followed by Dor Turgeman (€4.5M, New England Revolution). Our database tracks 34 MLS Young Strikers with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are MLS Young Strikers ranked?
MLS Young Strikers are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Strikers. 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 Strikers peak?
Attackers peak earliest, typically at age 26. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 27, -10% at 28, and -15% or more from 29. This reflects the position's heavy reliance on pace, acceleration, and explosive power, which deteriorate faster than technical skills. Research by Carmichael et al. (2020) confirms that forwards peak earlier and decline faster than any other position. The optimal playing time is around 2,200-2,400 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young striker from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Young Strikers vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young striker Julian Hall (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 Strikers?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS Young Strikers 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-attackers have ±18% volatility (most volatile due to form-dependency). 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 striker data come from?
Our MLS young striker 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.