U-20 players poised for breakout seasons in MLS this year: Bogert

Positional battles throughout MLS were in full swing this month after pre-season training and friendlies ended.

In the Coachella Valley last week, some young talent went up against more experienced players, while other teenage youngsters took advantage of the opportunities left by injured players.

Here are some of the young players (under 20) from the preseason tour in California.

Owen Wolff is a great example of taking pre-season form and turning it into a key role. Last year, Wolff earned a starting spot in Austin FC’s midfield, replacing designated player Alex Ring. He was one of the few bright spots in the club’s disappointing 2023 season. He had a passing accuracy of 83.7% in 27 regular season games.

Wolff, 19, made 31 appearances in all competitions last year and represented the United States at the U-20 World Cup. He is a definite starter once again in 2024 and will be until he makes a move to Europe.

Charlotte native winger Nimbaanda Berchimas exploded at the 2023 U-17 World Cup, scoring three goals, including a brace to set the tone in the opening match against Korea Republic. He turns 16 next week, but he just might be ready for the first team in MLS this year.

Berchimas played about 60 minutes for Charlotte in their preseason friendly against San Jose in the Coachella Valley. Both teams had mostly first-choice lineups. The best compliment I can give is that you can’t tell there’s a 15-year-old out there among the grown pros. Then, on Wednesday, he scored.

GOAL!

The nymph is on the score sheet! Slots past the keeper to double the lead!

2-0 #CLTvPHX pic.twitter.com/00okYQZmUa

– Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) February 14, 2024

The coaching staff have been impressed with Berchimas’ progress and, barring injury, he is widely expected to make his first-team debut this year. He might even earn a spot somewhere on the first-team depth chart instead of spending the entire year in MLS Next Pro.

Bayern Munich are very interested in the rising talent, among other big European clubs, sources informed of the young player’s current situation said. Athletics.

The highly-rated Serbian youth international, who made his senior national team debut against the USA last winter and was immediately snapped up by Charlotte in a $3 million deal, has spent 2023 with the second team . He is definitely an MLS level player and is expected to play a big role for Charlotte this year.

The defensive midfielder, 20, was excellent in his performance for Charlotte against San Jose as well. He brings much-needed youth and bite to manager Dean Smith’s midfield options.

NYCFC Left-back Christian McFarlane is ready for first-team football in 2024.

The 17-year-old England youth international is currently slated as a back-up left-back and has no plans to bring in another signing. He has a clear path to minutes after the starter Kevin O’Toole.

McFarlane has been a constant for the England youth national teams and not just a passenger but a standout. Scouts say his athleticism and physical tools would already allow him to compete in MLS, and it’s pretty easy to catch that even with the untrained eye. A ton of teams in England have him on their radar.

Julian Hall15 – New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls and US youth international Julian Hall made his first-team debut at the end of 2023 and is looking to get more first-team minutes in 2024. The preseason has been off to a good start.

Hall is only 15 years old. Like Berchimas, he shouldn’t have high expectations right away, but could earn a role down the line. ANTI Saint Louis last weekend in the preseason, Hall came off the bench and won a penalty that Vic Carmona scored.

Serge Ngoma18 – New York Red Bulls

Another US youth international forward, Serge Ngoma broke into the first team at the age of 16 in 2022, where he scored two goals in just over 100 minutes. He was a popular contender for the win last year, but did not make a regular season appearance due to injury.

Ngoma, now 18, has returned in pre-season and should get plenty of minutes in a Red Bulls attack anchored by Emil Forsberg. New coach Sandro Schwarz is likely to tinker with different combinations until he finds the optimal look.

In his first MLS preseason after playing at the University of Maryland, Kimani Stewart-Baynes is making an early case to be in the Colorado Rapids rotation.

Stewart-Baynes, 19, has two goals and one assist in three preseason appearances. He was selected No. 4 overall by the Rapids in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.

The winger was called up to Canada’s U-20 squad for the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship qualifiers later this month.

It’s been quite a winter for New England Revolution young wing Esmir Bajraktarević.

The 18-year-old made his US national team debut – beating a Slovenian defender on his first snap – and now he’s shining in the preseason with New England.

“Right now, he’s our starting right-hander,” Revs coach Caleb Porter said.

New England got a breakout season from the homegrown center fielder Noel Buck last year. This year may be the right time for Bajraktarević. with Dylan Borrero still out, he has earned a starting spot. He will likely play a key role for this team even when Borrero returns.

(Feature photos: USA Today Sports)