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MLS Youth Report

MLS Youth Report: Habroune rising, Pierre & Wynder shine in central defense, and more

In this edition of the weekly MLS Youth Report, Taha Habroune is making huge strides in Columbus, the contingent in New England and Philly continue to play well, along with much more
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
October 20, 2026
3:05 PM

THE 2026 MLS SEASON has arguably been the best period in league history for young American players. Never before has so many talented players broken through at one time and made such an impact across the league. This past weekend was yet another chapter.

Sure, the common criticism holds true that more teams could and should be better at getting young domestic players on the field. But even with a limited number of teams involved, the numbers are outstanding.

Here are some thoughts on the past week.

 

Habroune rising

 

Arguably the most in-form USYNT-eligible player right now is Taha Habroune who scored again for Columbus in a nice 2-0 away win over Cincinnati that continued its late season push to make the MLS playoffs. The Crew has now won four of its last five games and is just a point out of the ninth and final spot. On Wednesday, Columbus will play in the U.S. Open Cup final.

Habroune, 20, now has goals in his last three games. In his last nine games, he has four goals and three assists.



It is an exciting time for Habroune as earlier in the year, it seemed as if he was falling behind several of his peers in the U-23 attacking or central midfield pool. He also did not impress much at the 2025 U-20 World Cup last year.

But youth national team player pools often shift quickly as highly regarded youngsters fade and others raise their levels. Habroune should get a long look with the Olympic team.

 

Philly Watch: Pierre makes Team of Week

 

The Philadelphia Union are home to some of the best young American players in the game right now and entering last Saturday’s game against Charlotte FC, the Union had won eight consecutive games to continue its meteoric rise from last place towards top of the table. On Saturday, Philadelphia saw its winning streak snapped but still earned a point in a 2-2 point in Chester, PA.

The team’s elite trio of youngsters played the entire 90 minutes, and all played well. Cavan Sullivan did not score or assist but was dangerous and effective on the right wing. Behind him, Frankie Westfield was dependable at right back.

The best of the bench was Neil Pierre, 19, in central defense who had 13 clearances and 5/6 of his ground duels and 5/6 of his aerials. He continues to develop at a rapid pace as he no longer makes many mistakes defensively, and he continues to be among the league’s best defenders in the air.

For his effort, Pierre was named to the league’s team of the week.

Also of note is that highly regarded forward Malik Jakupovi?, 17, came into the game in the 82nd minute for Philadelphia. Minutes are tough for him given the high level Milan Illoski and Bruno Damiani are playing right now. But Jakupovi? will likely be the next top Union youth breakthrough.

With the draw, the Union remained in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

 

Revs Watch: Wynder impresses again

 

Along with the Philadelphia Union, the New England Revolution are the home to many top U.S youth internationals – many of whom should be part of the U.S. Olympic team to begin the cycle.

On Saturday, the Revolution defeated the Chicago Fire to strengthen its grip on third place in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Marko Mitrovic had four Olympic-eligible players play all 90 minutes in the win.

Of this group, central defender Josh Wynder, 21, had the best outing to help preserve the clean sheet win. Nothing got past him and he also was very strong in winning duels and with his clearances (he had nine). Wynder came the Revolution on loan from Benfica to play consistent minutes and move beyond the injury-plagued season last year. Thus far, he is getting what he wanted and needed. But on top of that, the Revolution have an important player who can help them make a long postseason run.

Peyton Miller, 18, also had a strong performance at right wing where he used his left foot to cut centrally for shots. In one moment, he had a long run with the ball, beat several defenders off the dribble, only to miss a shot wide. He also forced two saves while cutting centrally. But his speed clearly gave Chicago problems for most of the game.

Brooklyn Raines played his typical central midfield well enough for the win although only had 36 touches over 90 minutes. He did well when he had the ball, but was not as involved as he typically needs to be.  

Ethan Kohler was overshadowed by Wynder’s big game but he still was a strong partner in central defense.

 

RBNY Watch: youngsters struggle in loss

 

Red Bull New York dropped a 2-0 decision at home to Toronto FC in a game it should have earned a result. With that loss (on the heels of another bad loss to DC United), making the postseason is in jeopardy with merely goal differential keeping it on the inside of the playoff line. With the next three games coming against Miami, New England, and Nashville, RBNY seems more likely to miss out.

Julian Hall played all 90 minutes at striker. He had seven touches in the Toronto box and took four shots. He only managed to get one shot on target but saw that opportunity saved in the 34th minute. Adri Mehmeti, 17, started but was pulled at halftime.

Unlike the Union and the Revolution, RBNY does not have the supporting cast needed to ensure its young players flourish. IT will be interesting to see if RBNY holds on to Hall and Mehmeti another year to try to push for a playoff run. If not, it was an unsuccessful year which saw the club build towards nothing.

 

Gomez nets Seattle equalizer

 

The Seattle Sounders are likely disappointed in settling for a 1-1 draw with Montreal at home on Saturday, but it was better than a loss. Montreal scored early and it took a 66th minute goal from Sebastian Gomez, 20, to pull even. On the play, Seattle pounced on a Montreal turnover deep in its own half and Gomez quickly got into the attack and behind the Montreal backline to receive a pass and score.



Gomez now has three goals and three assists on the season and the Western Conference is wide open for Seattle to make a run. Internationally, while the wing positions are the deep in the U.S. U-23 pool with Zavier Gozo, Peyton Miller, Cole Campbell, Cavan Sullivan, and Mathis Albert all impressing, Gomez is surging at the right time and could emerge as an important depth option

On another note, U.S. U-20 central midfielder Snyder Brunell came into the game in the 64th minute for Seattle as the club was on the front foot the rest of the way.

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Ellis assists on Orlando’s final goal

 

Justin Ellis missed last Wednesday’s 3-3 draw for Orlando against Toronto with an illness but returned on Saturday to make the bench against DC United.

Orlando ended up winning 4-1 at home and Ellis played the last 20 minutes. In stoppage time, Ellis assisted Marco Pašali? with the final goal on a nice pass through the midfield to play the Croatian in alone on goal.



What is remarkable about this is that Ellis now has 12 assists on the season to go along with his three goals. Normally a No. 9 forward, Ellis found ways to be very, very useful when asked to play different roles. He can create and pass very well.

He has been one of the league’s best young American breakout players this season.

 

Miller assists in Galaxy draw

 

The LA Galaxy played San Diego FC to a 202 draw and U.S. U-20 right back Habor Miller assisted on the team’s second goal when he moved down the right side and found Erik Thommy in the middle for a finish.

The Galaxy are now clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference but have a four-point cushion on playoffs.



Miler has had a nice season for the Galaxy and he nears the 2000-minute plateau. He also had a very good game against San Diego aside from the assist. He also won 10/12 of his ground duels in his 81 minutes of action.

For the U.S. U-20 team, Miller is also an important player as head coach Gonzalo Segares has named him as the team’s captain for several games in 2026. The Olympics will be a tough team to make as Frankie Westfield and Reed Baker-Whiting are also in the picture. But Miller is progressing well in 2026.

Miller was not the only U.S. youth international right back in this game. Oscar Verhoeven, 20, played 90 minutes for San Diego and put up solid statistics. He completed 47/50 of his passes, won 5/5 of his ground duels, drew two fouls, dribbled well, and created chances. Verhoeven is too old for the U-20s but should get a look for the Olympic team amid tight competition.

 

Corcoran & Nashville near Shield

 

Amid stars such as Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza, U.S. Olympic hopeful Matthew Corcoran has carved out a starting role on a team that is having one of the best regular seasons in league history.

The deeper-lying central midfielder went the full 90 on Saturday in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. He wasn’t spectacular but he was steady, and this is what the team needs the most from him. Now he has the chance to earn silverware.

Corcoran is one of the more “underrated” players in the Olympic team pool. He’s one of the better deeper lying midfielders and his is progressing well this season.

 

Other USYNT notes

Tate Johnson has played more minutes than any other USYNT eligible player in MLS this season. He starts every game for first place Vancouver and has helped that team succeed.

In Saturday’s 2-1 away win over Austin, Johnson assisted on Yadaly Diaby’s winning goal. The pass from Johnson was rather routine, but the Diaby goal was fantastic.



Sporting Kansas City likely cannot wait for this season to be over. The likely Wooden Spoon winners lost 3-2 at home to Real Salt Lake. Olympic-eligible right back Jacob Bartlet played 90 minutes for SKC while U.S. U-20 forward Ruben Ramos (on loan from the Galaxy) was a late sub.

For RSL, U.S. U-20 attacker Aiden Hezarkhani played the final 16 minutes in an uneventful shift.

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