The ever-evolving landscape of Major League Soccer (MLS) has been graced by football legends such as David Beckham, David Villa, Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry, and Kaká. While these iconic figures have played the twilight years of their careers in MLS, many clubs are also cultivating their own talent, significantly elevating the sport in North America and garnering international recognition.
Players like Tim Ream, Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Alphonso Davies, Tyler Adams, and Ricardo Pepi have developed their skills within MLS teams before making successful transitions to European clubs, where they continue to shine.
Are you curious about the next generation of homegrown talent set to make their mark? This overview highlights five promising MLS players ready to follow in their footsteps.
Up-and-Coming MLS Stars to Watch
Here are five homegrown players poised to realize their potential, develop impressively this season, and likely secure moves abroad in the near future.
Caleb Wiley – Atlanta United
Caleb Wiley is an emerging defender for Atlanta United and a homegrown player who joined The Five Stripe’s academy in 2016. His rise through the ranks has been marked by impressive performances, displaying his potential as a future star.
Wiley made his professional debut for Atlanta United 2, the club’s USL Championship affiliate, at just 15 years old. His versatility and elite athleticism allow him to play both as a left-back and a winger, demonstrating strong defensive skills and an ability to contribute offensively. He officially signed with Atlanta United’s first team in January 2022 and has since become a regular feature in their lineup.
Known for his speed, technical ability, and tactical awareness, Wiley has earned praise for his mature performances despite his young age. His contributions on the field have helped Atlanta United and caught the attention of scouts and fans alike. He has already earned two caps for the U.S. men’s national team, indicating a bright future ahead. With continued development, the 19-year-old is a player to watch; it seems more than likely that he will follow in the footsteps of other MLS homegrown talents who have made successful moves abroad.
Benjamin Cremaschi – Inter Miami
Benjamin Cremaschi is a lively young midfielder for Inter Miami. Born on March 2, 2005, in Miami, Florida, Cremaschi is one of the club’s homegrown players who has risen through the academy ranks.
Cremaschi joined Inter Miami’s academy in its initial stages and quickly made a name for himself with his impressive technical skills, vision, and ability to control the midfield. His versatility allows him to play various midfield roles, whether in a more defensive position or as an attacking playmaker. Known for his precise passing, strong work ethic, and football intelligence, Cremaschi has been a standout performer at the youth level.
In 2023, Cremaschi debuted for Inter Miami’s first team, signaling his transition from academy prospect to professional player. His performances have shown maturity beyond his years, earning him valuable playing time and the opportunity to develop alongside seasoned professionals such as Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and none other than his boyhood idol Lionel Messi, who he has the acclaim of winning the Leagues Cup alongside. With his potential and continuous development, Cremaschi is expected to be a key player for Inter Miami and a future star on the international stage for whom he can represent Argentina or the United States.
Noel Buck – New England Revolution
Noel Buck is an exciting prospect, currently playing as a midfielder for the New England Revolution. The 19-year-old from Massachusetts is a homegrown player who has progressed through Revolution’s academy system, showcasing his talent and potential from an early age.
Buck joined the New England Revolution Academy in 2017 and quickly distinguished himself with his technical proficiency, vision, and tactical intelligence. His ability to play both as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder makes him a versatile asset on the field. Buck is known for his precise passing, creativity, and ability to control the game’s tempo.
He made his professional debut for New England Revolution II, the club’s USL League One affiliate, and his performances at the youth and reserve levels thoroughly impressed the coaching staff, leading to his promotion to the senior squad.
In 2022, Buck signed his first professional contract with the New England Revolution’s first team. Since then, he has gained valuable experience and playing time in MLS, contributing to the team’s midfield with his skilful play and composure. Buick made his England U19 debut in 2023 and has featured eight times in total, scoring one goal. As he continues to flourish, Buck is considered one of the bright young talents to watch in the league, with the potential to make a significant impact domestically and internationally.
Jack McGlynn – Philadelphia Union
The highly regarded young midfielder playing for Philadelphia Union has quickly risen through the ranks due to his impressive skills and maturity on the field.
After initially developing his talents with BW Gottschee Academy, McGlynn joined the Philadelphia Union Academy in 2019. His technical ability, vision, and passing accuracy quickly set him apart, earning him a reputation as one of the academy’s standout players. He primarily plays as a central midfielder but is versatile enough to fill various midfield roles.
In 2020, McGlynn signed with Philadelphia Union II, the club’s USL Championship affiliate, where he continued to showcase his potential. His performances there led to his first-team debut for the Philadelphia Union in 2021. Since then, McGlynn has become a regular contributor to the Union’s midfield, known for his calmness under pressure, precise passing, and ability to read the game effectively.
McGlynn’s talent has also been recognized internationally, with call-ups to the United States U20 national team, where he has continued to impress, alongside one appearance for the men’s national team. With his ongoing growth and significant contributions to his club, McGlynn is seen as one of the promising young American players with the potential to make an impact on the global stage in the coming years as he continues to evolve rapidly in MLS.
Chris Brady – Chicago Fire
Chris Brady is a promising young goalkeeper for the Chicago Fire and has materialized as one of the top homegrown talents in the league. He is known for his shot-stopping abilities, composure, and maturity beyond his years.
Brady joined the Chicago Fire Academy at an early age and quickly progressed through the ranks, standing out with his reflexes, command of the penalty area, and leadership qualities. His performances at the academy level earned him a place in the Chicago Fire II squad, the club’s USL League One affiliate, where he continued to progress and gain valuable experience.
In 2020, Brady signed his first professional contract with the Chicago Fire’s first team. He made his professional debut later that year and has since been working hard to establish himself as a key player for the team. Despite his young age, Brady has demonstrated impressive poise and confidence between the posts, making crucial saves and decision-making skills.
The 20-year-old has also been involved with the U.S. youth national teams, representing his country at various age levels. His performances on the international stage have further highlighted his potential and earned him recognition as one of the top young goalkeeping prospects in American soccer.
As he continues to prosper and gain more experience, Brady is expected to play a significant role for the Chicago Fire and potentially become a future star in MLS and beyond.
Summary
As Major League Soccer continues to evolve, the focus on nurturing homegrown talent has significantly propelled the sport in North America. Players like Caleb Wiley, Benjamin Cremaschi, Noel Buck, Jack McGlynn, and Chris Brady are rising as the next generation of stars, and these young athletes have demonstrated remarkable skills and maturity, catching the attention on domestic and international levels. With their impressive performances, they are poised to develop further for the remainder of the season. They are likely to secure moves abroad soon, continuing the trend of MLS producing world-class talent ready to shine on the global stage. Using a matched betting technique could be beneficial for those interested in enhancing their betting strategies, with the potential of these emerging names impacting fixtures.
