The rankings are out for this years 24 Under 24 presented by EA SPORTS, with Orlando City SC's Cyle Larin earning the No. 1 spot for 2016.
With so many talented players in MLS under the age of 24, it's no surprise that some worthy players were left off the list. Here are some picks from the MLSsoccer.com staff and MLS broadcaster Jonathan Yardley for players who should have made the top 24.
Marlon Hairston (Colorado Rapids)
Despite taking a while to nail down a role, he's been one of the few Rapids to score goals this year — two of his three goals were game-winners! — and if they’re going to do damage in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, I’ll bet it’s because the kid came up big. -BEN COUCH
Jay Chapman (Toronto FC)
Here is my rubric for judging a young playmaker: Does he have the balance and touch to receive the ball in traffic? Does he have the heart to get into the most high-leverage spots on the field and take a beating for his team? Does he have the vision to see the last pass? Does he have the courage to hit it?
"Yes" to all of the above for Jay Chapman. I wish he was American. -MATT DOYLE
Tsubasa Endoh (Toronto FC)
There are so few players in MLS who can competently play several attacking positions, to say nothing of the scarcity of players with the ability to link the midfield and strikers like Endoh has shown this season. His special skillset and versatility make me excited to watch him, now and in the future. -ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers)
He’s 22 years old, a full Jamaican international and a MLS Cup-winning starter. On his day, Powell is one of the most electric attacking right backs in MLS and can switch from attack to defense with ease. Critics will point to his lack of consistency and occasional bouts of immaturity, but those things often improve with age. Long story short, Powell has all the tools to be one of the best right backs in the league for years to come and should certainly be in consideration for next year’s list. -NICHOLAS ROSANO
Alex Muyl (New York Red Bulls)
He’s not the flashy skill player or goalscorer who captures the imagination of the masses, but Alex Muyl is exactly the type of player MLS needs its club academies to develop more regularly: an all-around pro’s pro, who does all the little things right — for the most part, that is, in the case of the 20-year-old Muyl (he’s probably still beating himself up for the giveaway that helped Toronto in its comeback in the big FOX match on September 18). The occasional mistake will not prevent him from becoming a regular standout MLS starter and a likely future national teamer. -SIMON BORG
Jimmy Medranda (Sporting Kansas City)
One of several starters on potential playoff teams to miss this year’s cut, Medranda, 22, has by many measures been the league’s best left back since taking over that spot for good on May 15. Since May 1, according to Opta data provided by Sporting Kansas City, Medranda is second among MLS players in tackles (85) and ranks fourth in interceptions (63). -JONATHAN YARDLEY
Julian Buescher (D.C. United)
At 23, Buescher’s one of the oldest among this year’s Generation adidas signees — but he’s also the only one who comes with international pro experience, as he played, pre-college, in Germany’s third division. In his relative few minutes this season, too, he’s shown sparks of central midfield quality: an easy touch and some danger in the transition and attack. It’s probably buried in most people’s memory by now, but it’s worth looking back at the screamer he scored against Queretaro in CCL this year, and imagining more in the future. -ARIELLE CASTILLO
