NEW YORK (Wednesday, October 9, 2024) – Major League Soccer today unveiled the full 2024 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR class highlighting the best young international and domestic players across the league. The players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass Talent, and select media. Topping the list in 2024 is Inter Miami CF and Paraguayan National Team midfielder Diego Gómez, who is the first Miami player to be ranked No. 1 overall. Gómez joins Miguel Almiron (2017, Atlanta United) as the only Paraguayan players to win 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR.
LA Galaxy defenders Jalen Neal and Julián Aude have been selected No. 9 and No. 16 respectively. Neal, 21, recently surpassed 40 all-competition appearances for the Galaxy and keeps looking like a USMNT-caliber center-back. After overcoming an early-season injury, Neal has provided security in LA's attack-minded system, often alongside veteran Maya Yoshida. Now in his second Galaxy season, Aude remains among the most dependable left backs in MLS. The Lanús product and Argentine youth international has battled injuries this year. But when healthy, his quality shines through and offers a complementary presence to LA right back Miki Yamane.
The 2024 version of the list includes a total of 16 Homegrown players with Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Lunaranking the highest at No. 2 overall. The most represented club is Inter Miami CF with five players, while four other clubs had multiple selections on the list – the Philadelphia Union (three), Chicago Fire FC (two), the LA Galaxy(two), and the New England Revolution (two). Players on this year’s 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR list entered through two different mechanisms: Homegrown signings (16) and U22 Initiative signings (six).
Several players on the list have progressed through the MLS Pro Player Pathway, beginning their careers in MLS NEXT before competing in MLS NEXT Pro and then starring in MLS. Ten players in this year’s class previously played in MLS NEXT, as well as 10 who have seen action in MLS NEXT Pro. Notable MLS NEXT standouts include Inter Miami CF’s Benjamin Cremaschi (No. 6), who was named the U16 2021 MLS NEXT Cup MVP with MLS NEXT Elite Academy Weston FC, and Peyton Miller (No. 22), who helped lead the U19 New England Revolution to an MLS NEXT Cup title in 2023 as a 15-year-old.
Notable MLS NEXT Pro alumni include New York City FC defender Christian McFarlane, who played in 29 games with New York City FC II from 2022-24, as well as Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who has scored three goals and added four assists with Philadelphia Union II this season. Earlier this year, Sullivan became the youngest player to debut for a North American major league sports team when he made his debut for the Union at the age of 14 years and 293 days old.
To be eligible for voting players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on October 19, and therefore must have been born after October 20, 2002. The all-time 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR winners are below. NOTE: prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.
