Where did they come from?

Major League Soccer‘s newest generation is on the rise. Players like Julian Araujo, Ralph Priso and Cade Cowell are turning heads already, showcasing the fresh young talent the American league has to offer. But how did they get here?

Take a look as we explain how some of Major League Soccer’s rising young stars made their way to all the action.

Club: LA Galaxy
Age: 20

The Mexican international player has long been destined for success since leading the LA Galaxy academy’s Under 17 side to the USSDA Championship.

Alvarez made himself known, scoring in the team’s quarter final, semi final and championship matches. He immediately signed with the senior team after lifting the trophy, joining the American league as the seventh-youngest player ever to sign a contract at just 16 years old. He’s played alongside the MLS greats, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic categorizing him as “the biggest talent from everybody in MLS”.

He’s recorded five goals and 11 assists in 75 appearances since debuting in 2019, and his link up with Chicharito up top gets bigger and better every single game.

Club: Philadelphia Union
Age: 21

Leon Flach: a silent but deadly figure.

The Philadelphia Union player had a unique introduction to Major League Soccer. Flach is a result of German team’s F.C. St Pauli youth system, where he played in the Under-17 and Under-19 sides before signing to their senior roster in 2020. He made his professional debut for the club in September 2020 and would go on to make nine appearances before transferring to the Philadelphia Union in 2021.

Club: San Jose Earthquakes
Age: 18

It’s hard to overlook Cade Cowell.

The player had a breakout 2021 season for the San Jose Earthquakes, leaving little to the imagination on what he is capable of achieving. His technical skills translate best in the final third, finding a pocket of space to set up teammates for success.

He first joined the San Jose Earthquakes in 2018, taking part in their academy. Cowell also spent time with the team’s USL Championship affiliate club Reno 1868, making his debut in 2019 before working himself up to Major League Soccer. The forward finally signed as a homegrown player, kicking off his senior season in 2020.