Cavan Sullivan is the most hyped United States soccer prospect since Freddy Adu, plain and simple. The hope is that we as a collective soccer community in the United States have learned from the mistakes that were made with Adu and that the infrastructure is in a better place to support Sullivan’s growth. Additionally, Sullivan has been described by those close to him as someone who has an elite work ethic and level head on his shoulders, which he will certainly need as the hype builds and changes. 

Earlier this year, he signed the largest homegrown contract in MLS history. It was expected that Sullivan would not sign with his hometown club, the Philadelphia Union, and instead would leverage his EU passport to go straight to Europe at 16 through his contract with City Football Group. However, Philly and MLS pulled off a minor miracle and worked a deal with CFG so that he will go to Manchester City at 18 with an option to go to Europe sooner if they feel it would be beneficial to his development. 

On the USYNT front, Sullivan has only played with the 2008 group, but hasn’t in a while as he focuses on developing his professional career in MLS Next Pro. We may see less of Sullivan in a U.S. shirt in the near future, but hopefully we get to see him participate in the U17 World Cup cycle.

In most classes, Spivey would be a clear number one prospect and a lot more hyped, but San Jose have been cautious with his pathway. He isn’t getting as much attention as some other players who are moving through the pro player pathway sooner or moving to bigger academies in Europe. 

Spivey has been, in my mind, the clear top player in U15 soccer in MLS Next. He absolutely dominates in most matches he plays through his strong and explosive frame, winger-like dribbling ability and exceptional work rate. He can dominate on both sides of the ball. He has also brought that same electricity to the USYNT and has commonly looked like the most talented player on an incredibly talented U.S. U15 team. 

While it hasn’t been officially reported, Albert is a Borussia Dortmund academy player and he will likely be playing with their U17 team next year. Albert is a winger that loves to take on defenders and he flashes an impressive mix of dribbling ability, athleticism and finishing ability in the final third. Albert was moving quickly through LA Galaxy’s pathway before making the move to Dortmund, one of the most successful academies in the world. On the USYNT side of things, he has become the second 2009 player to be moved up to the 2008 team. He recently scored both goals in a 2-2 tie against Argentina. 

Mehmeti is a true “regista” style player in the midfield. He is an intelligent and disruptive defender as well as a dynamic playmaker on the ball. Mehmeti played primarily with the Red Bull U17 team this year, up an age group and playing well.Now he is starting to get minutes in MLS Next Pro where he is second to only Cavan Sullivan in minutes earned by a 2009 born player. RBNY likes to sign their top talents quickly and I am sure they are doing all they can to convince Mehmeti to sign a long-term deal with RBNY. Mehmeti has also been a top performer for the U.S. U15 team. 

It’s pretty crazy that the United States seems to be Romero’s preferred team to represent right now. His father was an Uruguayan International and he plays for the biggest club in Spain, yet he seems to really be enjoying himself with the super talented U.S. U15 team. Romero is a better winger than full-back right now. His attacking prowess and ball striking ability are both top tier, but his one on one defending needs some development. Romero is also one of the top players on his Real Madrid team, often playing up an age group and scoring a lot of impressive goals.

Forfor is a former attacker that has been moved to left-wingback since moving from Minnesota United to Columbus Crew. That move has looked like a brilliant idea thus far. He has taken to the defensive aspects of the position extremely well and he still is electric going forward. Forfor missed the majority of the fall season as he worked out a move to Columbus, but he was one of the most exciting players in the second half of the MLS Next season. He was rewarded with a U.S. U15 selection this spring and I thought he played extremely well in the tournament they won in Croatia. 

It’s frustrating that Avalos is playing with Mexico right now because he would be playing with the United States if the U15 coach rated him properly. Avalos has an exciting blend of shot stopping ability and comfortability in distribution. He has been one of the best keepers at the U15 level in MLS Next and was promoted to U17 by the end of the season.

Hassan is an absolute nightmare to play against because he never stops running no matter whether his team has the ball or if he is pressing against the ball. Hassan is lightning quick and a handful when running at defenders. He has played both with Seattle’s U15 and U17 this year and he has been one of the most effective attackers for the U.S. U15 team.

Borges isn’t a name that many know who follow the youth game in the United States, but that will change. He didn’t play much at all for Achilles last year, he was mainly with theU16 and U19 team. He spent a lot of the year trialing and training in Europe and it is expected that he will move to a European academy when he turns 16 early next year. My guess is that he will end up at RB Leipzig. 

Cadet was the surprise standout for me at the U.S. U15s tournament in Croatia. I had always liked his profile, but he showed another level in these games, which is hard to do playing with guys you have not played with much. Cadet has a unique ability to play with his back to goal and facing goal equally well and his physical profile is excellent. He looks like the number one center-forward option for this age group for the timie being.

Simmons moved to RBNY around February of this season after spending a little over a year at Hertha Berlin’s International Academy. Simmons was highly sought after among MLS academies, but ultimately chose Red Bulls where he joined a super talented 2009 team. Simmons can play as both a center-back or a defensive-mid and I think his long-term position is going to depend on how big he gets. I think he is still growing and may end up at center-back where he profiles as a mobile defender with excellent distribution. Simmons is on the USYNT radar, he would have been in their last camp had he not picked up an injury. 

Gomez got better and better as the season went on. He started the season playing a little center-back and right-back, but finished the year primarily as a right-back and I think that is where he will end up long-term unless he hits a massive growth spurt. Gomez is an excellent defender and he can also contribute in attack. He is seen as a leader for both the Red Bulls and the U.S. U15 team.

Ream is one of the top players from this class that has yet to be selected to a USYNT team. Ream is a versatile player that can play both full-back and wing positions. He is very good with his left and right foot and can impact the game in a number of different ways. He has played for Real Salt Lake’s U15 and U17 team this year and is another player that they will likely prioritize through their pro pathway.

Wells moved from D.C. United to Barca Residency this year and it’s looking like a really good move for him. He is a silky smooth winger that glides on the ball. He can play as a winger, attacking-mid and center-forward, but I like him best as a winger where he has the opportunity to dribble at defenders. He has not been with the United States U15 team yet, but I think his time will come.

Hines is another talented attacking player in a class that is loaded with them. Hines was pretty much fully promoted to Sporting KC’s U17 team by the end of the year, looking very comfortable at that level. He is a speedy winger with good playmaking instincts. He is another player that has not yet been called in the U.S. team, but definitely has the talent to play with that group.

Garcia was one of the top 2009s playing at the U15 level last year, but got off to a slow start, not starting a lot of Orlando’s games early in the year. He finished the year strong however and is back to looking like one of the most dangerous attacking players in the 2009 class. He has great technical ability and shows great service in from wide areas. Garcia is yet another talented winger that is waiting for his chance with the United States U15s.

Szewcyk is the second rated keeper in this class and another who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and shows very good shot stopping ability. He is one of the two preferred keepers for the United States U15 team and has performed well when wearing a U.S. shirt. It will be interesting what RBNY does with both Aidan Stokes and Szewcyk, both are top keepers in their class and Stokes is already on a HG deal. Might that sway Szewcyk to look elsewhere? He has an EU passport and can go to Europe at 16.

Jakupovic is one of the most talented players in this class, but lacks consistency at times. When he is on, he is an absolute handful and I love his movement off of the ball. He is tall, mobile and has a wicked left foot. The sky is the limit for him if he puts it all together. It was a down year for Philadelphia at the U15 level, but Jakupovic was a bright spot. He has not yet been invited to a U.S U15 camp, but if he can find more consistency next year he could form a deadly one-two punch with Cadet. 

Degny reminds me a lot of top 2007 prospect Neil Pierre. He is long, highly disruptive,has an advanced defensive skillset and instinct, but is still a work in progress on the ball. He was one of the only 2009 players to play primarily with his U17 team this year and he gained a ton of valuable experience. He has not been with the U.S. U15s at all which is a surprise to me, but they may want to see more from him as a passer.

Espy has been the most consistent center-back for the U.S. U15 team and is also very well regarded within LAFCs organization. He is mobile, with good size, comfortable on the ball and a very intelligent defender off of the ball. He has all the tools to be a really good defender, but needs to show more consistent decision making on the ball. 

United States eligible players from the 2009 class that I have not had the chance to scout over the last year: CF, Kauan Henrique, Fluminese, W, Kairo Smith-Phillips, Crystal Palace, W, Joshua Wilbrenninck-Van Cuilenborg, Feyenoord, AM, Xander Newstead, Ajax, AM/W, Cristiano Briceño, Atletico Madrid, RB, Mattias Fernandez, Atletico Madrid, LB, Ahmed Abarkane, Barcelona, GK, Leonard Prescott, Bayern Munich, GK, Philipp Eckle, Augsburg

If you have full match video of any of these players and would like to share that with me so that I can scout them, please reach out. Additionally, if you know of other United States eligible players that are playing Internationally, please reach out.