We approach the Top 10 of the 24 Under 24 – the top 24 players under the age of 24. The five players who join the list today include two academy products, an Arsenal youth star, a US National Team regular and an early 2010 Rookie of the Year candidate.
Bringing up the rear is the Crew's Robbie Rogers (No. 15), a player who was on Bob Bradley's World Cup preliminary roster. He's currently recovering from injury as is DC goalkeeper Bill Hamid (No. 14), who along with LA's Tristan Bowen (No. 13), is one of the MLS academy success stories.
Kansas City's Ryan Smith (No. 12) and San Jose's Ike Opara (No. 11) both had great starts to the 2010 season but while a foot injury sidelined Opara, opposing MLS teams have found a way to contain the ex-Arsenal youth winger.
Check back on Friday for players ranked No. 6-10.
What is the 24 Under 24? Simply, the best 24 players in MLS under the age of 24 (as of Nov. 1, 2010).
MLSsoccer.com whittled down the list to a group of 30 players and then an expert panel ranked the names based on five categories: (1) Skill; (2) Upside; (3) Q-Rating or Marketability; (4) Future Value; and (5) Intangibles.
The “24 Under 24” expert panel was made up of six members: Jeff Carlisle (ESPN.com), Steve Davis (SI.com), Brian Dunseth (Fox Soccer Channel), Allen Hopkins (ESPN), Alexi Lalas (ESPN) and the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
Which player is most likely to have his biggest year yet in 2011?
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Facts & Figures
Robbie Rogers has played the second most postseason matches of any player on the list (six).
Bill Hamid appeared in the fewest MLS matches (eight) of any player on the 24 Under 24.
Ryan Smith is one of two members of the 24 Under 24 who hails from the United Kingdom.
Ike Opara is one of only four defenders who made the list of 24.
Tristan Bowen is one of three players in the rankings to emerge from his club's academy.
rank">11.24">Opara, Ike24">D
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"He is still raw but an excellent athlete ... Tremendous upside ... can dominate in the air, good timing in the air ... He's able to outrun mistakes ... From a man-marking situation few can physically beat him ... Needs to work on ability to play out of tight spaces, make passes and make quick decisions."
rank">12.24">Smith, Ryan24">M
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"Talented player, technically gifted with both feet, has pace, the ability to serve balls on the run … Needs to find some kind of consistency to be regarded as an elite player in this league … Has 50 different moves on the dribble … Needs to find when the best time to dribble and when the best time to find a teammate."
rank">13.24">Bowen, Tristan24">F
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"He’s got a lot of good tools … Very good athlete and technically better than people give him credit. He can take people off the dribble. He’s a good finisher with both feet … Needs to get better with his head and holding the ball up… He’s going to be a very solid MLS player."
rank">14.24">Hamid, Bill24">GK
MLS Technical Directors Say:
“He’s clearly got the tools and he seems to have got some poise … He can be a really successful goalkeeper in this league for a long time if he can get healthy and stay healthy. Young guys have persistent injury problems.”
rank">15.24">Rogers, RobbieM
MLS Technical Directors Say:
“He’s left-footed, he has pace and he’s American. These are players to be celebrated … Needs to be tougher and defend more … He’s one of those players that will stretch a defense. He has a good engine … He needs to demand the ball a little bit more and get more involved in 90 minutes.”
rank">16.24">Tchani, Tony24">M
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"Tchani is still very raw ... One of the best players in college last year. An amazing athlete. Huge, massive upside. Almost unlimited potential but he is not very polished which is normal for a kid at that age."
rank">17.24">Bunbury, Teal24">F
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"He’s got the size, the physicality. He’s better than some in terms of technical abilities and he’s got some more size. And he’s probably got some more pace than most guys ... It needs to be consistency with him around the goal area. He’s got the tools physically and technically. He’s above average."
rank">18.24">Pontius, Chris24">F
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"In our league he’s got to be a forward ... You want him in and around the goal to profit from that athleticism and ability in the air. For a young player, he’s a decent finisher which is relatively rare. He’s a prototypical college player in that he’s a tremendous overall athlete and he works really hard."
rank">19.24">"Juninho"24">M
The Brazilian is a vital cog for the Galaxy, pulling the strings in central midfield and jumpstarting their deadly counter. He reads the game well and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. He’s not the strongest and most imposing of central players but his presence is felt as LA can attest during his recent absence.
rank">20.24">Johnson, Will24">M
MLS Technical Directors Say:
"A fantastic player, he’s got a great engine. Technically very good. He’s a fantastic two-way player, one of the best in the league even though he’s a young player from an age standpoint ... He needs to be a little bit more productive on the attacking side of the ball: assists and goals ... You’re looking for an 8-and-8 guy. His production needs to be better."
rank">21.24">Alston, Kevin24">D
MLS Technical Directors Say:
“Has very good concentration, he’s brave and he has elite athleticism … He can get forward with that athleticism but he needs to refine his game in the attacking third in his one-v-one play and his combination play … he needs a little more consistency on his final pass.”
rank">22.24">McInerney, Jack24">F
MLS Technical Directors Say:
“Like his mentality. He’s always busy, always in motion … His size is a factor but he makes up for it with this work rate and his ability in the air … His finishing is very good … He needs to manage his own expectations and he’ll find his way in MLS.”
rank">23.24">Torres, Roger24">M
The young Colombian wowed fans with his ball skills early on, but he has since lost his place in the Union starting lineup and has become an occasional sub. He possesses superior vision and technique but there are doubts whether his speed and physique can meet the demands of MLS.
- Torres player bio
- WATCH: Picture perfect Torres pass for Harvey goal (4/15/10)
- WATCH: Free kick and cross for 1st goal in PHI history (4/10/10)
rank">24.24">McCarty, DaxM
A full 2010 season may have bumped up McCarty’s place in the rankings. After a promising start in central midfield alongside Daniel Hernandez, he fell to a quad injury and now has an uphill battle just to regain his spot in the FCD starting lineup.
