Major League Soccer (MLS) has undergone significant changes over the past few years. It’s no longer just a place for older players to wind down their careers. The league is starting to develop real talent. Young players are getting more minutes, more responsibility, and more attention.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, some of these players may be making an impact in time for a showcase. These players are helping MLS grow, not just as a league but as a place where talent can rise. Here are five young players in the MLS who stand out in 2025.

1. Benjamin Cremaschi: Inter Miami

At 20, Cremaschi plays in midfield in a team loaded with stars and rarely looks out of place, even when the game gets fast or physical. He reads space well and finds innovative passing options. His movement off the ball helps him link up with attackers and cover when the play shifts.

Training with Messi and Busquets has paid dividends. His awareness is sharp, and his touch is cleaner. While he is still learning, he’s ahead of most players his age. Scouts from Spain and Germany are keeping tabs on him, which is not surprising. Currently, Miami boasts one of the best young players in the league.

2. Obed Vargas: Seattle Sounders

At 20, Vargas plays a more significant role for his team than Cremaschi. He breaks up plays and helps his team keep shape. He doesn’t take risks, which makes him a reliable player. Coaches trust him to stay calm when the game gets frantic.

He made his debut at 16. Since then, he has earned more minutes each season. Some compare him to Tyler Adams. Like Adams, Vargas is good at doing the simple things right.

Bundesliga clubs have taken notice of him, which is typically the first step for American players looking to head to Europe. Vargas seems ready to make that leap when the time comes.

3. Brian Gutiérrez: Chicago Fire

Gutiérrez is 22 and already has experience. He’s made more than 80 MLS appearances playing an attacking role, often drifting into wide or central spaces depending on the match.

He’s good in tight spaces, dribbling past defenders or sliding a pass into the box. He’s often the player who creates chances for Chicago. With his consistency improving all the time, he is a key player that his team relies on.

Clubs in France and Italy are watching, which means that Gutiérrez might not stay in MLS much longer. If he moves, he’ll likely go to a club that gives him minutes, as he is not the kind of player who wants to sit on the bench.

4. Jake Davis: Sporting Kansas City

At 23, Davis is making significant moves at Sporting Kansas City. He’s a midfielder who relies on pace, timing, and clever positioning. He’s not just fast; he knows when to run and how to create separation, making him a real threat in transition.

With a strong work rate, he has scored or assisted in several games this season against strong teams. His tenacity gives him the extra minutes to stand out and will help him become one of the league’s hottest prospects.
Scouts from the Netherlands and Portugal are interested, and these leagues are suitable for wide players who enjoy pushing the tempo. If he continues to improve, he’ll move.

5. Federico Redondo: Inter Miami

At 22, Redondo also plays for an Inter Miami team that boasts a stacked roster of talent. However, Redondo is a component of Total football, playing deeper in midfield and defending solidly. He passes well and can hit long balls or play quick touches to beat the press.

His last name is familiar. His dad played for Real Madrid and Argentina. That said, Federico is making his own way. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistent and sharp. That’s what teams like.

Some Spanish clubs are watching him with a move imminent. Until then, he’s helping Inter Miami stay balanced. His role might not show up on highlight reels, but it matters.

Why MLS is a launchpad for rising stars

The MLS is giving young players real chances to shine. They’re not sitting on the bench; they’re starting games and getting tested every week. That’s how players grow. They make mistakes, learn from them, and improve quickly.

Clubs are also building better academies. More teams are signing players at 16 or 17 and playing them by 18 or 19, a practice that was not common ten years ago.

The MLS is also getting more attention from Europe. Games are easier to watch, and scouts know which clubs are producing talent. They follow players early, and if a young MLS player performs well for a few months, people notice.

Things to watch

The growth of young talent in MLS is changing how people see the league. It’s not just about marquee names anymore. It’s about who’s coming up the ranks next.

That shift brings more focus to the matchups and the depth of each team. Analysts want to know which clubs are developing well. Fans want to know which players to follow. For those who closely track performance, this creates additional ways to examine form and trends.

It’s one reason more people are paying attention to Major League Soccer betting. Young players can swing results. Teams with good academies often outperform expectations. That matters when you’re looking for value or projecting outcomes.

Prospects to producers

MLS is producing not just prospects but genuine, promising talent. Cremaschi, Vargas, Gutiérrez, Davis, and Redondo have all shown what the league is capable of. They’re improving rapidly, gaining recognition, and contributing to MLS’s transformation from a finishing school to a starting point.

More players like them are coming. MLS isn’t waiting for talent to arrive anymore. It’s building it. And that’s a significant change.