Major League Soccer: The most valuable teenagers to watch

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Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 126 Major League Soccer players. While the big stars like Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Heung-min Son (LAFC), and Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps) were left unchanged. The presence of those stars means that many fans still believe that MLS is a “retirement league.” That stereotype, however, isn’t quite correct anymore.

With an average age of 25.5, MLS is younger than LaLiga (27.4), Serie A (26.7), and the Premier League (26.4), the Bundesliga (25.9), and Ligue 1 (25.6). With that in mind, it is time to take stock of the biggest talents playing in Major League Soccer. Up next, we break down the ten most valuable teenagers playing in MLS.

MLS: The 10 most valuable teenagers to watch

Julian Hall (18) – Red Bull New York

Born in New York, Hall, who has represented the US at the youth level, is of Polish descent, and it’s no surprise he names Robert Lewandowski as his role model. “He is someone I have looked up to now and in the past,” Hall said in an interview with Transfermarkt in 2024. This season, Hall is off to a phenomenal start, scoring five goals in six games for the Red Bulls. Under new head coach Michael Bradley, Hall is a regular starter. The 18-year-old spent the winter training and playing for Leipzig’s youth teams and it will only be a question of time until he makes the move across the Atlantic.

Cavan Sullivan (16) – Philadelphia Union

The next Fredy Adu or legit superstar? Time will tell with Cavan Sullivan. Still only 16, Sullivan received his first-ever market value in the December market value. With a market value of €4.5m, Sullivan is one of the five most valuable players born in 2009. That market value reflects a reported $5m (€4.2m) move to Man City upon turning 18. Pep Guardiola is a big fan, as is the German Football Federation, who would love to win over Sullivan, who also has a German passport.

Zavier Gozo (19) – Real Salt Lake City

Gozo is an emerging talent at RSL. The 19-year-old winger has kicked off the season with two goals and two assists in six MLS games. Capable of playing as a striker and on the wing, Gozo is a dynamic player with significant upside. The U23 US national team player has already been linked with a move to Aston Villa. RSL have certainly shown in the past that they have the ability to develop and transfer players for a significant profit, and it wouldn’t be a major surprise if the club fetches a significant fee for Gozo very soon.

Gennadiy Synchuk (19) – CF Montréal

How much longer will Synchuk be in Canada? Signed for €3.4m from Ukrainian side Metalist, Synchuk is considered one of the most considerable talents in his native Ukraine. Owned by the Saputo family, who also control Serie A side Bologna, Synchuk's plan is to establish himself in MLS before making the move to Italy. But to get there, Synchuk needs to up his productivity. In five games this season, the 19-year-old is still without a goal and an assist. That’s not entirely his fault, however, as Montréal had a catastrophic start to the season.

Peyton Miller (18) – New England Revolution

Peyton Miller is one of the biggest wonderkids at Football Manager. As it is often the case, the manager simulation game might have gotten this spot on. Miller is an excellent talent. The 18-year-old is now among the most valuable left-backs in MLS after a significant increase in December. Transfermarkt understands that Miller is in high demand with European clubs offering as much as €10m for the player. This season, Miller has had a strong start, scoring two goals in three games.

Adri Mehmeti (17) – Red Bull New York

Mehmeti is a brilliant player. The central midfielder led Red Bull New York’s MLS Next Pro season to the title as a captain last season. Then he spent the winter training in Germany with RB Leipzig. This season, he has been a regular starter under Bradley, adding two assists in six games. A complete midfielder, Mehmeti also holds an Albanian passport, and it is expected that he will make the move to Europe sooner rather than later.

Luis Otávio (18) – Orlando City

Orlando City signed Otávio for almost €3m from Internacional this January. It was a significant fee for a teenager, and the Brazilian still has to prove he can meet the high expectations placed on him by the transfer fee. Orlando have been off to a terrible start, winning just one of the first five games this season. With Otávio in the lineup, Orlando have lost to New York City FC (5-0), Nashville (5-0), and LAFC (6-0). That’s not great, but the high transfer fee means that Otávio’s market value had to be adjusted upward. The talent is there, but now the player has to justify both the fee and market value by quickly establishing himself in MLS.

Luca Bombino (19) – San Diego FC

The 19-year-old left-back was one of the big winners of the December update. Initially signed on loan from LAFC, San Diego FC have already made Bombino’s transfer permanent for 2026. That’s not a big surprise. Bombino was one of the big emerging stars of MLS last season and a big reason his expansion club completed a historic season that ended only in the Western Conference finals. Although without a goal contribution in MLS this season, Bombino has managed one goal and two assists in four Concacaf Champions Cup games.

Nimfasha Berchimas (18) – Charlotte FC

Despite not featuring in MLS yet this season, Berchimas received a significant market value upgrade in April. The winger, who has scored four goals and one assist in four MLS Next Pro games this season, has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich. Those talks are very real, and even though he hasn’t featured in MLS this season, there is no doubting Berchimas’ talent.

Lucas Herrington (18) – Colorado Rapids

Herrington was signed by the Colorado Rapids this January from Brisbane Roar. The Australian center-back has been a regular starter this season and has already scored one goal for his new club. Only 18, Herrington has already represented Australia at the highest level and is considered one of the biggest defensive talents ever to emerge from Down Under. Indeed, Herrington is currently the most valuable Australian teenage center-back in the world.