Top 5 US players in MLS

Tyler Adams

SOCCER: MAY 05 MLS - New York City FC at NY Red Bulls

MLS is not only about stars returning to their homeland. Although the US national side missed out embarrassingly on World Cup 2018 qualification, they hold high hopes for a number of exciting young players bursting through their ranks.

Among the most promising youngsters in the league is 19-year-old Tyler Adams, who turns out for the New York Red Bulls and has already earned international honours.

He made a strong impression from his first moments on the field as a Red Bull. Playing against Chelsea in a friendly encounter, he headed the second goal in a 4-2 victory, immediately propelling him to the forefront of the footballing community in the US.

It took until the following year for him to make his debut in the MLS and indeed his progress was initially slow as he spent much of his time on loan at the club’s reserve side. However, he has since shown that he is capable of playing on the big stage, notably scoring against Club Tijuana as he led his side to the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals for the first time.

Moreover, he has impressed when faced with the likes of Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco.

There is a sense that not being in a hurry to move abroad has allowed him to develop more rapidly than the likes of Matt Miazga, who moved to Chelsea, and while he is already one of the top stars in the league, there is a feeling he could become a key player on a greater stage.