Fansided

Every MLS teams’ best player aged 20 or under

By Harrison Hamm

May 20, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta United forward Andrew Carleton (30) runs on the field against the Houston Dynamo in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta United forward Andrew Carleton (30) runs on the field against the Houston Dynamo in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC defender Tommy Redding (29) dribbles the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the first half at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC defender Tommy Redding (29) dribbles the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the first half at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando City SC: Tommy Redding

Orlando are still only 3 years old, and have yet to consistently produce players from their academy. They get props for having debuted a USL reserve team last year (Orlando City B), and they’re pretty far ahead of their expansion counterparts NYCFC, who have done very little in terms developing domestic players, but OCSC aren’t at the youth development level of some other MLS teams, notably more recent expansion side Atlanta United.

They’ve seen their first Homegrown signing, center-back Tommy Redding, turn into a very solid pro. Redding was signed in early 2014 at the age of 17, months before Orlando played their first game. He made his debut in their expansion season at 18, and became something close to a regular starter in central defense last season, playing 18 games and making 16 starts.

Now aged 20, Redding already has six starts in 2017 and spent parts of this year with the U.S. U-20 World Cup team. He made two starts in South Korea despite a crowded center-back pool that includes Justen Glad, Erik Palmer-Brown and Cameron Carter-Vickers. He performed well in both of his starts, and will stay on the USMNT radar if he’s able to get consistent MLS minutes.

In Orlando, Redding is competing for a starting spot alongside Defender of the Year candidate Jonathan Spector. Jose Aja, Seb Hines and Brazilian 21-year-old Leo Pereira are among his competitors. He’s one of two Orlando Homegrown players, the other being 19-year-old goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar.

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