MLS has seen some exciting young talents light up the big stage. A total of nine players have made their MLS debut before the age of 16 and that number is expected to rise in the coming years.
Let us take a look at the youngest players who are signed to an MLS contract.
10. Bento Estrela (New York)
Bento Estrela joined New York at the age of 14 years, 364 days in 2021. Estrela needed only two years at the New York academy to earn a senior team call-up. He made his debut on August 28, 2022, for the New York reserve team against Birmingham Legion.
Estrela plays his international football with Portugal and has made three appearances for Portugal’s Under 16 side.
9. Chance Cowell (San Jose)
San Jose signed Chance Cowell at the age of 14 years, 318 days in 2023. The homegrown winger started his career at SAC Academy and impressed during his time at the club.
The youngster is yet to start a game for the San Jose senior team but has made a few appearances for the San Jose B team.
8. Gabriel Slonina (Chicago)
Gabriel Slonina is the academy product of Chicago Fire and was promoted to the senior side at the age of 14 years and 297 days in 2019. In 2023, he was included in Goal’s ranking of the top 50 best young players in the world list.
On August 4, 2021, he became the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS game at 17 years, 81 days. Slonina then earned a transfer to Premier League giants Chelsea in 2022. Currently, Slonina is playing his club football at Eupen on loan from Chelsea.
7. Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte)
Nimfasha Berchimas joined Charlotte FC in 2022 at the age of 14 years, 268 days. Berchimas made his senior MLS debut for Charlotte FC in February 2024 against New York City FC. He has only made three appearances for the club so far.
Berchimas has also impressed in the USA U17 team scoring 5 goals in five appearances. He famously scored two goals against South Korea in the Under17 FIFA World Cup.
6. Christian McFarlane (New York City)
Christian McFarlane joined New York City at the age of 14 years, 234 days. He worked his way up through the youth ranks and was given a senior contract by New York FC in 2021. He made his professional debut on May 29, 2022 against Inter Miami.
He has also represented the youth teams of the USA and England. Currently, McFarlane plays for New York City B side with occasional appearances for the senior team.
5. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia signed Cavan Sullivan this year at the age of 14 years and 224 days. He already made a couple of appearances for the club and looked sharp on the ball. The youngster is also known for his vision and his ability to pass the ball.
Sullivan and his family confirmed that the contract has a clause that calls for a transfer to Manchester City once he turns 18. He has represented the United States at the youth level and is also eligible to represent Germany thanks to his ancestral descent.
4. Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose)
San Jose announced the arrival of Emmanuel Ochoa in 2019 when Ochoa was 14 years, and 191 days old. He made a quick impression in MLS and was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world of his age group.
He made a switch to The Town FC of MLS Pro and has made 18 appearances so far. He also represented the USA and Mexico in different age groups. As he continues to develop his game at Town FC, another move to a big club looks likely for Ochoa.
3. Freddy Adu (D.C. United)
D.C. United signed Freddy Adu in 2004 at the age of 14 years, 306 days. Regarded as the ‘next Pele’, he burst onto the scene scoring in only his second appearance for the club. Adu scored 11 goals across three MLS seasons and became one of their important players in the process.
However, his form dipped as his career went on, and ended up joining several new clubs across the globe in search of game time. Adu last played for Österlen FF of Sweden in 2021.
2. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake)
Real Salt Lake signed Axel Kei in 2022 at the age of 14 years, 15 days. His debut for Salt Lake came on 22 September 2022 against Atlas FC. Currently, Kei is playing for Salt Lakes’ affiliated youth team Real Monarchs.
He has made one senior appearance so far and his progression at Monarchs suggests he is set to break through into the first team in the coming season.
1. Maximo Carrizo (New York City)
Maximo Carrizo was signed by New York City in 2022. The midfielder was exactly 14 years of age becoming the youngest player to have signed for an MLS team. The homegrown player has been a part of New York City Academy since 2018.
Since his arrival, Carrizo has made 19 appearances for the club. Thanks to his origins in the USA and Argentina, he has represented USA U15s and Argentina U17s at the national level.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
