Five U23 MLS Players to Follow in the Eastern Conference by Zach Lowy
The 2025 Major League Soccer season is officially underway, and there are more than a few promising young talents who are worth keeping your eye on. Today, we’re taking a look at five U-23 players who are poised for a breakthrough campaign in MLS’ Eastern Conference.
Caden Clark
Age: 21
Club: CF Montréal
Nationality: United States
It has been just over four years since Caden Clark burst onto the scene for the New York Red Bulls, becoming the youngest player to score in his first two MLS matches. Since then, he’s earned a transfer to RB Leipzig, spent time out on loan in Denmark, and returned to the United States. He returned to his home state in January 2024 and joined Minnesota United, where he struggled to convince in an unnatural wing-back position, before being traded to CF Montrèal in August. Whilst he’s far away from his home now, he’s feeling a lot more home in a natural attacking midfield position.
“I’m finally playing in my position and getting a run of games, getting in behind, manipulating pocket space to run in behind, and coming into the pocket,” stated Clark. “I’m getting a feel for myself, but the move has definitely been a step in the right direction.”
Having failed to provide a single goal contribution in 23 appearances in Minnesota, he has already racked up four goals and two assists in his first 11 appearances for Montrèal. This impressive form has earned him a maiden call-up to the US Men’s National Team, grabbing an assist vs. Venezuela and scoring vs. Costa Rica in January, and there’s reason to believe he can parlay that into a breakout campaign in Canada.
Benjamin Cremaschi
Age: 19
Club: Inter Miami
Nationality: United States
All eyes are on Inter Miami as they look to follow up on a stellar 2024 campaign which saw them win the Supporters’ Shield and finish with the best regular season record in MLS history. Lionel Messi will command most of the attention, in addition to his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba, but one player who should not fly under the radar is Benjamin Cremaschi.
Born in Miami to Argentine parents, Cremaschi made his MLS debut shortly before turning 18 and made a meteoric rise by scoring a goal and two assists as Miami won the first-ever Leagues Cup. He would follow that up by emerging as a vital figure in midfield under Tata Martino and making his USMNT debut. Last summer, Cremaschi would make two appearances for the USA in the Olympic Games – he was the youngest member of the squad and the only player who will be age-eligible to play in the 2028 Olympics.
An attack-minded midfielder who is capable of linking up with forwards, chipping in dangerous crosses, and catching defenders by surprise with his third-man runs, Cremaschi is capable of tearing apart defenses with his stellar ball carrying and incisive passes. He’s already made an impact in South Florida with 7 goals and 7 assists in 71 appearances for Miami, but with Diego Gómez no longer in the squad, there’s reason to believe he’ll have even more protagonism this season under Javier Mascherano.
Liel Abada
Age: 23
Club: Charlotte FC
Nationality: Israel
More and more youngsters are leaving Europe to take the next step of their development in MLS, and Liel Abada is yet another example. After cutting his teeth in Israel, Abada made the move to Scotland in 2021 and joined Scottish giants Celtic for £3.6 million. Abada quickly impressed as Celtic wrestled the title back from Rangers’ grasp, scoring 10 goals in 36 Scottish Premiership appearances and even being named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award for 2021–22.
All in all, Abada scored 29 goals and 22 assists in 112 appearances for Celtic and won five trophies during his time in Glasgow before deciding to leave in March 2024. It hasn’t taken long for him to make a name for himself in MLS with Charlotte FC. He’s paid off his £10 million transfer fee and emerged as a bright spot in attack, regularly winning the ball back in dangerous areas and consistently harassing the opponents for possession.
Abada’s work-rate, positional awareness and speed work in tandem with his eye for goal, making him a deadly finisher who thrives at knowing where the ball will break towards. He’s quickly demonstrated himself as a key figure in North Carolina, and at 23, he’s only going to get better.
Luca Langoni
Age: 23
Club: New England Revolution
Nationality: Argentina
From Alan Velasco to Thiago Almada, from Federico Redondo to Pedro de la Vega, MLS is becoming one of the hottest destinations for Argentine prospects who are looking to take the next step in their development. Luca Langoni has continued in that trend, and there’s reason to believe that he could be a key figure for New England Revolution this season.
Born in Buenos Aires, Langoni developed at Boca Juniors’ academy and gained a reputation for his explosive speed and goal-scoring instinct. On August 2, 2024, New England signed him for a club-record $7 million fee, with Langoni needing just 15 minutes to score his first goal after coming on as a substitute vs. CF Montréal. He became the first player in club history to score a goal and an assist in his debut, proving a shining light in a dour season that saw them miss out on the postseason.
A right-sided winger, Langoni is a clinical finisher who gets into the right positions with regularity, and whose direct running, incisive dribblers and playmaking ability makes him a dual threat. At such a tender age, he’s already thriving at putting away chances, and expectations are higher than ever for him to solidify his status as one of MLS’ top talents.
Tomás Áviles
Age: 20
Club: Inter Miami
Nationality: Argentina
Another Argentine youngster who’s making a name for himself in MLS is Tomás Áviles. Since making the move from Racing Club in 2023, Áviles has won the Leagues Cup and played a vital role in Miami’s Supporters’ Shield triumph, and this summer, he’ll be competing in the FIFA Club World Cup.
While he isn’t the tallest at 6’1”, Áviles is a cultured passer who is skilled at breaking the lines and picking out his teammates in advanced areas. He knows just the right time to step up and intervene to prevent the opposition from breaking into dangerous counter-attacks, and he excels at reading the game and sniffing out danger at a moment’s notice.
At 20 years old, Áviles has already learned from legends like Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, and there’s reason to believe he’ll become a fundamental cog in defense for his national team. The only question is – which country? Áviles played for Chile’s U20 side before switching over to Argentina’s U20s, and it’s clear that both teams will have a vested interest in getting him to play for them.