GOAL ranks the top-13 USMNT prospects at or under the age of 21
America is always on the lookout for the next big homegrown soccer talent — and with good reason. The U.S. men’s national team continues to make meaningful strides, and sometimes all it takes is an influx of talent to reach the next level.
Landon Donovan was once that rising star, as were Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, Tab Ramos, and Steve Cherundolo. Christian Pulisic, who was a highly-touted prospect, continues to defy expectations, and now, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, a new generation is preparing to make its mark.
So who’s next? Which rising stars could play a role in this World Cup cycle, and which ones should fans be watching closely?
Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Cavan Sullivan, Diego Luna, and Diego Kochen headline the list, thanks to their rapid development and growing reputations. Others like Damion Downs, Julian Hall, Noahkai Banks, and Josh Wynder may be less known, but they possess serious upside. In between, there’s Borussia Dortmund’s Cole Campbell, Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi — Lionel Messi’s young teammate — and Chelsea’s promising duo of Gabriel Slonina and Caleb Wiley, all pushing to take the next step.
GOAL ranks the top 13 American prospects between the ages of 15 and 21 — players on the verge of breaking into the professional spotlight, and possibly, the senior national team.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images13Josh Wynder, Benfica
Age: 20
Position: Centerback
The hype: Wynder, who has been a regular with Benfica's B team during the 2024-25 season, recently made his senior debut and is starting to develop into the player many touted him to be when he broke out in the USL Championship as a teenager with Louisville City. A well-known name at the U.S. youth level, he captained the U19 side when featuring for them, while earning a spot in the XI all throughout the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup.
In the Benfica system, he's developing in one of the world's greatest academies and learning from some of the best youth coaching staff at the same time. With a brief taste of senior soccer in spring 2025, the best might just be around the corner for the towering defender. If he can permanently break into the senior team next year, there's no telling how fast his development could progress.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport12Julian Hall, New York Red Bulls
Age: 16
Position: Forward
The hype: Hall, similar to Sullivan, is a teenage prodigy at the MLS level. At 16, he's still a child, too – but he's mature beyond his years, and already breaking through with a New York Red Bulls side that made it to MLS Cup 2024. Already linked with some of Europe's top clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and Chelsea, among others – he's being touted to have a brilliant professional career.
Elusive and technical on the ball, Hall has all of the skills needed to succeed at the highest of levels. He's featured at the U.S. youth level, and in 2025, already has eight appearances – including one start – in MLS regular season play. In 2024, he scored two goals and recorded one assist in 11 appearances for the Red Bulls as well.
He's no ordinary 16-year-old. U.S. Soccer fans should be so excited to see where he ends up.
AFP11Jack McGlynn, Houston Dynamo
Age: 21
Position: Central midfield
The hype: A well-known commodity in MLS, McGlynn broke out internationally in January with the U.S., scoring a belter of an effort for his first international goal. He was traded from the Philadelphia Union to the Houston Dynamo ahead of the 2025 season for $3 million, and already has over 100 senior appearances at the MLS level.
A wicked left foot, McGlynn is known for being clinical from distance, while offering an attacking mindset in the middle of the pitch. He's a tall midfield presence at 6-foot tall, and U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has already had him in camp – the future is bright, if McGlynn can take advantage of the moment.
AFP10Gabriel Slonina, Chelsea
Age: 20
Position: Goalkeeper
The hype: 'Gaga' Slonina was a star in MLS as a teenager, and as a result, earned a move to Premier League giants Chelsea. After a positive first season on loan in Belgium with Eupen, he was sent on loan to EFL League One side Barnsley to begin the 2024-25 season – where he thoroughly impressed at first. In the Carabao Cup, he earned Player of the Round honors early on, but suddenly fell out of favor as the holiday season neared – and then he suffered an injury, and returned to Chelsea in January. He's been rehabilitating since at Cobham.
Slonina is still one of the brightest goalkeepers in the U.S. pool, though, and he's already stated his goal is to be a part of the 2026 World Cup squad. A brilliant shotstopper with massive size in net, Slonina has been a professional since he was 17-years-old and has nearly 100 senior appearances in net already. He's represented the U.S. numerous times at the youth level and was part of the squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2025-26 season will be his biggest test yet if he really wants to break out ahead of the World Cup.