#22 Perry Kitchen, DC United Pos: M | D.C. United | Age: 21 Mr. Consistency. The third-year midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in a rough 2013 campaign for D.C. United, starting all but one of the club's 28 games thus far. Kitchen continues to provide a combination of tenacity and discipline (he has only four yellow cards this season) from his defensive midfield spot as well as the occasional offensive spark, scoring one goal and assisting on four others during a frustrating 2013 campaign in the nation's capital. He might not be as flashy as some of the other players on this list, but Kitchen's consistency is impressive considering he is still only 21 years old. He's just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/16/22-perry-kitchen-dc-united
#21 Matias Laba, Toronto FC Pos: M | Toronto FC | Age: 21 It speaks volumes of Laba's ability that he finds himself on this list despite only recently arriving in MLS. After signing with Toronto FC in late April as a Young Designated Player, the 21-year-old Argentine midfielder has already made a name for himself with his technical qualities, ability to read the game and occasional runs forward. A former Argentina Under-20 international, Laba boasts plenty of confidence and is silky smooth on the ball, traits that paved the way for him to start in each of the 16 games he played this season before injury ended his campaign prematurely. Still, he'll be back in 2014 as a key cog for Toronto FC, a club that considers Laba a massive part of the future. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/16/21-matias-laba-toronto-fc
#20 Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids Pos: F | Colorado Rapids | Age: 22 One of the leaders of the Colorado Rapids’ youth revolution, the rookie forward from the University of Central Florida has burst onto the scene with a team-leading seven goals and also four assists in 27 games. Thrust into the limelight because of a number of Colorado injuries after being taken with the sixth overall pick of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Brown hasn’t disappointed. The lanky 22-year-old has been lauded for his incredible pace and athletic ability around the goal, and it doesn't hurt to stand 6-foot-2, either. Colorado saw the Jamaican as the perfect understudy to veteran forward Edson Buddle, but it’s been increasingly hard to keep Brown off the field even now that Buddle is healthy. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/17/20-deshorn-brown-colorado-rapids
#19 Olmes Garcia, Real Salt Lake Pos: F | Real Salt Lake | Age: 20 The speedy 20-year-old Colombian striker is just another one of RSL’s goalscoring threats in 2013. Utilized more off the bench as a sparkplug for the highest-scoring MLS club, the first-year player has tallied (as of Sept. 11) five goals and four assists. All five of his goals have come while subbing on for Jason Kreis’ club. All four of his helpers have come in games he started. The good news for RSL fans – Garcia is locked in with Salt Lake for five years. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/17/19-olmes-garcia-real-salt-lake
#18 Bill Hamid, DC United Pos: GK | D.C. United | Age: 22 With less talent around him, Hamid’s record hasn’t been very impressive for D.C. United in 2013 and he has dipped eight spots from the 2012 list. Despite United sitting in the MLS cellar most of 2013, the 22-year-old Annandale, Va., native has recorded four clean sheets and made a number of quality stops in keeping his club in games. Hamid has notched one Save of the Week award while being nominated several times in 2013. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/17/18-bill-hamid-dc-united
#17 Gershon Koffie, Vancouver Pos: M | Vancouver Whitecaps | Age: 22 Massive potential. A charismatic leader. Those are the two attributes that consistently come up when talking about the Ghanian midfielder. But those don’t always find their way onto the field day in and day out, and that has cost Koffie a slide down this list after he debuted at No. 12 last season. He has fallen out of favor of head coach Martin Rennie at times this season after inconsistent form. Still, the 22-year-old has already set a career high with three assists and tied his career high with three goals this season. Could an international future with Canada be in the offing? http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/17/17-gershon-koffie-vancouver-whitecaps
#16 Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Portland Pos: D | Portland Timbers | Age: 21 Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s coming-out party was a sight to see. The charismatic central defender scored a game-winning, stoppage-time goal in early July against the LA Galaxy, ripped off his shirt and whipped the sell-out crowd at JELD-WEN Field into a frenzy with his fevered celebration. But the 21-year-old, who was the Timbers' eighth-overall pick in the 2012 SuperDraft, is on this list because of his work on the backline. Although inconsistent at times, Jean-Baptiste has also shown signs of dominance with his size (6-foot-2, 205 lbs.) and athleticism. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/17/16-andrew-jean-baptiste-portland-timbers
#15 Fabian Castillo, FC Dallas Pos: F | FC Dallas | Age: 21 While the Colombian has seen a dip in his goalscoring production from a year ago, when Castillo came in as No. 22 in our 2012 list, the forward has been more of a facilitator for playoff-hopeful FC Dallas. The 21-year-old has dished out nearly as many helpers in 2013 as he collected in 2011 and 2012 combined. FCD coach Schellas Hyndman has used Castillo mainly as a starter, but has also used the Colombian as a spark off the bench late in games. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/18/15-fabian-castillo-fc-dallas
#12 Darren Mattocks, Vancouver Pos: F | Vancouver Whitecaps | Age: 23 The reigning No. 1 from last year’s list, Mattocks’ slide, for Vancouver’s sake, will hopefully be chalked up to a season of injury and inconsistency. But even after his return from knee surgery, he has still been an afterthought with the emergence of the attacking trio of Kenny Miller, Russell Teibert and Camilo. After leading the playoff-bound Whitecaps with seven goals last year, the speedy Mattocks has just three this season. “We know he's a good player, we know he's got a lot of ability and he's got great pace,” Vancouver coach Martin Rennie said recently. Now they just need more production. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/18/12-darren-mattocks-vancouver-whitecaps
#11 Jose Villarreal, LA Galaxy Pos: F/M | LA Galaxy | Age: 19 The Galaxy Academy product got his feet wet in 2012 before getting a regular run in 2013 for Bruce Arena’s club. LA are allowing Villarreal time to mature and get brought up to speed in MLS. Still, the youngster has started in more than half his appearances, scoring two goals for good measure. He continues to go through some bumps in the process – especially after missing time with the US at the U-20 World Cup – but has shown more than enough promise to land at No. 11 in his first appearance in 24 Under 24. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/18/11-jose-villarreal-la-galaxy
#10 Russell Teibert, Vancouver Pos: M | Vancouver Whitecaps | Age: 20 The Whitecaps FC Residency product makes his first appearance on this list after becoming a mainstay in Martin Rennie’s midfield with the Vancouver first team. Teibert leads the 'Caps with eight assists so far this season, and he’s added two goals to his totals in 18 games. Also becoming a regular choice for the Canadian national team, he has been at home in the center of the park or as a winger. “I’m a big fan of Russell’s, I’ve said that many times,” Whitecaps midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker told The Vancouver Sun. “… He’s got tremendous ability and he has a very bright future.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/19/10-russell-teibert-vancouver-whitecaps
#9 Andrew Farrell, New England Revolution Pos: D | New England Revolution | Age: 21 Boasting strength, speed and impressive athleticism, Farrell has shown just why the New England Revolution traded up to select him No. 1 overall in this year’s SuperDraft. The versatile 21-year-old is among the most polished players in his draft class and that has helped make him an integral part of Jay Heaps' plans and a serious contender for the Rookie of the Year award. Farrell has been a constant in the Revs backline, starting in each of the 26 games he has played in this season, and his ability is sure to make him a staple of the club for years to come. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/19/9-andrew-farrell-new-england-revolution
#8 Amobi Okugo, Philadelphia Union Pos: D/M | Philadelphia Union | Age: 22 Technical and versatile, Okugo continues to turn heads in MLS with his play at center back for the Philadelphia Union. The 22-year-old reads the game particularly well and has the toughness and athleticism to match up against any of the top strikers in the league. He is also Mr. Reliable, having started 51 of the 54 matches he has played in during the last two seasons. Okugo’s impressive play has some calling for him to receive his first US national team call-up, and it might not be too far off if he continues to perform at this level. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/19/8-amobi-okugo-philadelphia-union
#7 Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy Pos: F | LA Galaxy | Age: 22 After starring at CSU Bakersfield for three years, Zardes has stepped into the star-laden LA Galaxy lineup and fit right in. Bruce Arena has used him as a regular starter since late May and he has played no less than 83 minutes in each start. The 22-year-old forward – who scored 38 goals while at Bakersfield – first hit the back of the net coming off the bench on May 11 and has been a change of pace to the Landon Donovans and Robbie Keanes of the Galaxy attack. Arena said in late August that Zardes “gets better every game.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/19/7-gyasi-zardes-la-galaxy
#6 Juan Agudelo, New England Revolution Pos: F | New England Revolution | Age: 20 He might not be in MLS much longer, but Agudelo is deserving of his high mark on this list. A technically gifted forward with US national team experience and an ability for the extraordinary, Agudelo is as dangerous an offensive player as there is on this list. The soon-to-be Stoke City striker has dealt with his share of injuries, but he still has a high ceiling given that he is only 20 years old. Agudelo is also a dark horse to make it onto Jurgen Klinsmann’s roster for the World Cup next summer and, given all the depth the Americans currently have up top, that says quite a bit about his talent. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/19/6-juan-agudelo-new-england-revolution
#5 Diego ***undez, New England Pos: M/F | New England Revolution | Age: 18 The young Uruguayan may have the most potential of anyone on this list. Still, at the tender age of 18, ***undez has already shown his knack for scoring and setting up goals. He is technical and creative, and really came into his own this year, scoring 10 goals and assisting on six others in matches for the New England Revolution. That type of production might be impressive, but it should only grow in the coming years. ***undez has all the tools to meet those lofty expectations, which makes tracking his development over the next few years all the more interesting. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/20/5-diego-***undez-new-england-revolution
#4 Jack McInerney, Philadelphia Union Pos: F | Philadelphia Union | Age: 21 Few anticipated the splash Jack Mac has made in 2013. The 21-year-old Union striker wasn’t even on the “24 Under 24” list a year ago, dropping from the 23rd spot in the list in 2011. He has performed so well, though, that he’s drawn the eye of MLSsoccer.com's panel, and more importantly, forced Jurgen Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer to give him a look. Alongside the Union’s top free-agent pickup Conor Casey, McInerney has shined, already with double-digit goals despite a cold spell after a lighting-fast start. McInerney is primed to have an illustrious goalscoring career in MLS – and perhaps abroad. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/20/4-jack-mcinerney-philadelphia-union
#2 Luis Gil, Real Salt Lake Pos: M | Real Salt Lake | Age: 19 You think Sporting Kansas City would like to take back that trade in 2010? The RSL midfielder has improved each year since coming over following a weighted lottery for his right, and he's really excelled in 2013 after the departure of Will Johnson opened up a slot for him as a regular starter in Jason Kreis’ lineup. The 19-year-old already has more goals and as many assists as he tallied in his previous two years combined. But more importantly, he’s become a two-way stalwart in the midfield for the Western Conference powerhouse. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/20/2-luis-gil-real-salt-lake
#1 Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers Pos: M/F | Portland Timbers | Age: 23 It feels like it was just yesterday that the Portland Timbers phenom announced his presence in the league with authority by unleashing a mind-boggling volley that was voted overwhelmingly as the 2011 MLS Goal of the Year. Now in his third year since Portland made him their first-ever MLS SuperDraft pick out of the University of Akron, Nagbe makes his third appearance on this list at the very top. With superior ball skills, exceptional athleticism and rugged durability, Nagbe is enjoying his finest season. With his old college coach, Caleb Porter, at the helm of the Timbers this year and Argentinean midfielder Diego Valeri taking over the role as the club’s offensive centerpiece, the 23-year-old forward/midfielder is tied for the team lead with eight goals, a career high, and three assists, tied for a career high. http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/news/article/2013/09/20/1-darlington-nagbe-portland-timbers
Armchair Analyst: Five who should have been on this year's 24 Under 24 Matthew Doyle MLSsoccer.com We have our 24, and – full disclosure – I’m mostly satisfied with the list. There are a few players I’d move up, a few I’d move down, and as many as seven that I think should be moved off entirely. Five of those seven spots would go to these guys, who weren’t on 24 Under 24, but absolutely should be: Kelyn Rowe, New England Revolution Chris Klute, Colorado Rapids Erick “Cubo” Torres, Chivas USA Joao Plata, Real Salt Lake Soony Saad, Sporting KC http://www.mlssoccer.com/24under24/...t-five-who-should-have-been-years-24-under-24
