Plenty of young players are set to join their respective clubs in preseason this year for preseason. In the past we have seen as many as 8-10 academy players travel with the first team. Here are a few players we think could impress while in preseason, and therefore; eventually make an impact on their MLS squad later in the season.

We have pegged this as Maximo Carrizo’s year to breakout. A true dynamic number 10, and he has already been on the preseason tour with NYCFC a number of times now. Carrizo has also appeared on the bench for NYCFC a few time , and is an internal part of the USYNT 2008 squad.

Pierre was probably the best player on the Philadelphia Union II squad that did not get an opportunity to progress to the first team. Pierre is a central defender which makes it a bit harder to accomplish it, but there is no doubt in many minds that he will be up to the task.

Mehmeti is a very young player, but we would not be surprised if he is the second 2009 born player to make their MLS debut. Mehmeti is a solid central defensive midfielder who has already proven himself at the MLS Next Pro level. He will more than likely be on the Red Bull’s preseason roster.

Terry plays pretty much the same position as Adri Mehmeti, and he is just a year old. One of the 2008 players wit the highest ceiling in the entire class. He is the captain of the 2008 USYNT, and we would not be shocked to see him debut with the first team in 2025.

The USMNT have announced the first roster of 2025, so let’s take a look at some of the players selected. This is NOT a FIFA sanctioned window, so that is why this squad is full of MLS players. Despite the limited selection, Mauricio Pochettino has selected a few notable young players who will hopefully end up featuring in these games. To begin, the likes of Diego Luna, Benja Cremaschi, and Brian Gutierrez. All there of these players are young players coming out of MLS. Diego Luna was a player that many USMNT fans demanded be called into the Olympic squad last July, but he was unfortunately left out of the squad. Luna is a player to watch out for to see if he possible gets a move to Europe in the summer. Cremaschi is a U20 player, and will more than likely be one of the captains of the U20 squad if he is released for the Under-20 World Cup later this year. Brian Gutierrez is a winger for the Chicago Fire. Gutierrez is a notable addition to the squad as rumors were swirling that the Mexican federation wanted him to join their side last year.

While this is most defiantly not the best group of players the USMNT has sent off to a camp, here is a look at a possible starting line up we could see in the friendlies.

Diego Luna Jesus Ferreira Brian Guitierrez

Jack McGlynn

Benja Cremaschi

Emeka Eneli

DeJuan Jones Tim Ream Miles Robinson John Tolkin

Zack Steffen

A look at some of the players we will have our eyes on to see how they perform in the second half of the regular season heading into Generation adidas Cup.

Caraballo has joven to be one of the best attacking midfielders throughout the first part of the 24/25 MLS Next season. His squad is currently undefeated, and they are our number one ranked team in the country. He is still a 2008 born player and he is already signed to a professional contract.

Eric Izoita is also central midfielder for the Portland Timbers academy. He is a 2007 born player who has had some experience I the second team’s setup. He has been one of the top players from the fall season, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue this.

Turner is once again, another attacking midfielder for DC United U18s. He is already committed to the University of Virginia, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out. He is also good enough for DC United’ sister club Loudon United. Turner could see limited time in MLS Next in the spring because of this.

Lester is another attacking player this time hailing from Cincinnati. He made the move to Ohio from the New York Red Bulls academy last season, and continues to be a great player for the side. Lester is a big name on one of the top sides in the country.

Estala is already committed to the University of Michigan, but he is quickly making a big name for himself with Real Salt Lake. Estala is one of the leaders on the Real Salt Lake U18 squad despite being a 2008 player. He also has some USYNT experience.

Our final U18 baller on the list is an outside back from the Chicago Fire. Held has really come into his own this season becoming one of the best defenders in the 2008 age group. Do not be surmised if he appears in a USYNT camp this season. He is currently on the trajectory to do so.

Cadet has catapulted himself to the top of the 2009 striker pool. He is a regular with the USYNT, and it is hard to argue that he is not one of the best players in the country. Cadet is brilliant on the ball, and it looks like he will continue this play in the future.