Zavier Gozo, my top prospect in this class, had such an explosive start to the MLS season that he had many people thinking he had a chance to break into the 2026 World Cup team. While that didn't happen, he is expected to make a big move to Europe this summer.

The goalkeeping class is solid, but not spectacular. Rizvanovich is the closest keeper to crack the top 20 and there are a couple of others who could end up having good professional careers. One name to keep an eye on is Giorgio de Marzi, the AS Roma product. I haven't seen enough of him recently to justify a top 20 grade, but from what I have seen there is top 20 potential.

There are three left-backs in the top 20, a higher than typical amount. Peyton Miller is the cream of the crop and has the potential to be LB1 for the USMNT in the future, and a potential successor to Antonee Robinson if his career pans out. There are two right-backs, Harbor Miller and Drew Baiera, both of whom are high-floor players.

There are two center-backs with USMNT potential — Neil Pierre and Tyler Meiser. Both could become USMNT factors before the next World Cup if they're able to break into a first team at a good level over the next couple of years. Pierre has been a top player in this class for a while. Meiser has never played for the United States but has a lot of experience with Germany's youth national teams. He faces an uphill battle to break through to Germany's senior team, so he may be attainable in the next few years.

The midfield lacks high-ceiling players. Snyder Brunell has looked good in MLS and is the top box-to-box option. Dills is the only number ten on the list, and Guske is the only number six. Both might lack the dynamism needed to be impact players for the USMNT.

In the attack, Gozo leads the way. Not too far behind is one of the most unique players in the USMNT prospect pool — Justin Ellis. Ellis is the type of attacker you'd expect to see developed in Spain or Argentina, with a superior mix of technical ability and game understanding. Jykese Fields and Liam West are also dynamic prospects, both currently playing for European countries — Germany and Norway, respectively — even though Liam West's father, Brian, played for the USMNT. The third striker on this list is Tomo Allen, and while he's probably playing at the lowest level of competition right now, he has as much raw talent as anyone in this class. Lower on the list are two crafty, inverted lefties in Aiden Hezarkhani and Xanti Oyharcabal. Overall, it's a pretty intriguing class of wingers and strikers.

1. W, Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake (No change)
Gozo is a direct attacker with great pace and a world-class work rate, pairing relentless stamina with a killer mentality. He finds space both centrally and out wide, and has become highly effective in the final third with both feet.

2. LB, Peyton Miller, New England Revolution (No change)
Miller is an explosive, strong left-back who excels in one-touch scenarios and runs the wide channels well. He is comfortable pushing forward into the final third and solid defensively.

3. W, Montrell Culbreath, Bayer Leverkusen (↑5)
Culbreath is a quick, shifty winger who thrives in tight spaces. He is very tidy on the ball and technically clean in everything he does.

4. CF, Justin Ellis, Orlando City (↑3)
Ellis is a center-forward with good balance, fantastic footwork, and great vision, an inventive player who has added goals to his game. He finds solutions and creates magic in tight spaces, and he is tough and plays with loads of confidence.

5. CB, Neil Pierre, Philadelphia Union (↓1)
Pierre is a towering center-back who dominates aerial and ground duels and times his tackles well. He is a deceptively brave passer with very good range, and a threat to score on set plays.

6. CF, Jykese Fields, Hoffenheim (↓1)
Fields is a center-forward with an ideal blend of size and speed and a relentless runner off the ball. He is hungry for goals.

7. W, Liam West, FC Copenhagen (↓4)
West is a smooth, dynamic winger who beats defenders 1v1 with quick feet. He has good ideas in tight spaces.

8. CB, Tyler Meiser, Borussia Mönchengladbach (↓2)
Meiser is a center-back with prototypical size who is mobile in space and physical in his duels. He is an intelligent defender who is reliable on the ball.

9. CM, Snyder Brunell, Seattle Sounders (New addition)
Brunell is a strong central-midfielder with good balance who keeps the ball secure under pressure. He progresses the ball well and adds value in the final third.

10. LB, Dominik Chong Qui, Atlanta United (↓1)
Chong Qui is an explosive, strong left-back who flashes real offensive ability. He has the tools to be a top-level defender.

11. LB, Christian McFarlane, Manchester City on loan to Leicester City (No change)
McFarlane is a left-back with an elite combination of size and speed and elite defensive potential. He is great in overlaps and provides good service.

12. CF, Tomo Allen, San Jose Earthquakes (New addition)
Allen is a center-forward with elite size who is sneakily fluid on the ball. He offers good hold-up play, good feet, and scores efficiently with both feet.

13. RB, Harbor Miller, LA Galaxy (↑4)
Miller is a right-back with good burst and agility who is comfortable attacking at pace. He is a very good crosser with decent defensive potential.

14.  RB, Drew Baiera, NYCFC (↓2)
Baiera is a right-back with great speed who flies up and down the channel. He is tidy on the ball, moves well off it, and is a capable defender.

15. AM, Marvin Dills, Eintracht Frankfurt (↓5)
Dills is an attacking-midfielder who is strong and balanced on the ball with very good close control. He stays calm in tight spaces and plays the role of creator in the final third.

16. W, Aiden Hezarkhani, Real Salt Lake (New addition)
Hezarkhani is a clever winger with a good change of pace and a strong base who keeps defenders off balance. He has fluid feet and clean footwork, and strikes the ball well with his left.

17. W, Xanti Oyharcabal, Athletic Club Bilbao (New addition)
Ohyarcabal is a quick, creative winger with good feet who is comfortable in tight spaces. He can strike a ball with touch, bend and power.


18. CM, Jonathan Shore, NYCFC (↓3)
Shore is a central-midfielder who is highly competent and reliable on the ball. He makes good decisions, keeps the ball secure, and brings ideas in the final third.

19. DM, Colin Guske, Orlando City (New addition)
Guske is a defensive-midfielder with good size who is fluid on the ball and secure in possession. He makes quick decisions, is defensively sound and responsible, and plays with high character.

20. W, Darius Randall, Minnesota United (New addition)
Randall is a dynamic, direct and aggressive winger who shows good persistence and playmaking when attacking. His technical cleanliness is still a work in progress, but it's improving.

I have not had the opportunity to thoroughly scout the following players in the last 12-months. If you have full game film for any of these players from the last 12-months, please fill out the form below.

GK, Giorgio De Marzi (Roma), GK, Bruno Klimek (Real Betis), CB, Ian Togo (Huddersfield Town), DM, Benjamin Nagel (Twente)