Who’s the next Lampard?

Major League Soccer is bursting with household names such as Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard but beyond the star faces there’s a crop of young, hungry players looking to be big in America.

MLS journalists and experts have ranked the division’s best 24 players under the age of 24, taking into account technical ability, physical attributes and ‘soccer IQ’ to draw up a hot-list of talent previously headed by Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin.

From a prodigious English forward who’s been receiving plenty of praise from Frank Lampard to the midfielder likened to Stoke’s Joe Allen, we give you the lowdown on the youngsters to watch…

24. Cristian Roldan – Seattle Sounders

A combative central midfielder who excels in both boxes, USA U20 international Roldan has drawn praise for his tidy passing play, endurance and tough tackling. Aged 21 and into just the second season of his professional career, he’s accumulated 30 appearances in 2016.

23. Tommy Redding – Orlando City

Labelled by Orlando City’s former coach Adrian Heath as “a potential top, top defender in MLS” in July, the 19-year-old centre-back has shown to be more than capable of matching the physicality of the league and is comfortable with passing out from the back. 

22. Sean Davis – New York Red Bulls

The 23-year-old box-to-box midfielder ranks third in the pecking order of New York Red Bulls midfielders. But recent performances, including an impressive August with two goals and two assists, has put the pressure on Dax McCarty and Felipe to perform. Davis’ real breakthrough may happen during the play-offs, which start later this month.

21. Cristian Higuita – Orlando City

Considered one of best holding midfielders – and ball winners – in Major League Soccer, Higuita is one of the reasons why Kaka can have a free attacking role for Orlando. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with AC Milan in recent months and is on the fringes of Colombia’s national team.

20. Matt Polster – Chicago Fire

Polster was drafted by Chicago in 2015 and finished the season third in the MLS Rookie of the Year award rankings. Despite an injury-hit 2016 campaign and a season where the Fire are struggling, Polster has still shown his strong passing ability and tireless work ethic across midfield.

19. Fatai Alashe – San Jose Earthquakes

A key central midfielder for San Jose, 22-year-old Alashe has a versatile skillset, which earned him a call up to Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA squad in January before withdrawing due to injury. His athletic ability, intelligent passing play and eye for goal makes him a player held in high regard across the league.

18. Tim Parker – Vancouver Whitecaps

Just this season, Parker has worked his way up to becoming a starting centre-back for Vancouver and a member of USA U23s. The imposing defender made 15 appearances in his rookie season in 2015 but this term already has 26 matches under his belt.

17. Juan Agudelo – New England Revolution

A former Stoke City striker who didn’t make an appearance for the club due to work permit reasons, Agudelo never reached the once expected level as “the next big thing” in US soccer, but he has still forged an impressive MLS career. Now with seven years of professional experience behind him, Agudelo has enjoyed an end-of-season …

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