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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Jun 14, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Derrick Jones (21) controls the ball past Harrisburg City Islanders James Thomas (17) during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Derrick Jones (21) controls the ball past Harrisburg City Islanders James Thomas (17) during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Union: Derrick Jones

Like the previous two players on this list, Derrick Jones was on the U.S.’s U-20 World Cup team in May. Jones started most of the games, playing as a No. 6 next to Tyler Adams in Tab Ramos’s midfield. The 20-year-old Ghanaian-born Philadelphian was signed as a Union Homegrown late last July as Philly’s fourth HG signing in club history.

He’s a true defensive midfielder with destroyer tendencies and the ability to cover space and win balls all over the field, making him the ideal partner for someone like Adams, who has a similar skill set but one more tailored to distribution. A veteran like Alejandro Bedoya next to Jones in Philadelphia is a positive for someone who is still a bit of a raw talent.

The Union braintrust seems to like him. He has eight appearances and five starts this season as Maurice Edu remains out, likely accelerating his ascent toward the ranks of starting MLS d-mids. The talent level is there, and hopefully Jim Curtain continues to get him opportunities on the field.

Jones is the Union’s early reward for an increased attention to developing and playing young area talent. They debuted a USL reserve team in 2016 — with an 18-year-old Jones as their first signing — and the Bethlehem Steel have since been a haven for potential future Union Homegrowns. Look out for center-back Auston Trusty, a U-20 snub and Philly HG, to join Jones on the Union first team soon. Add in successful SuperDraft picks and you have a solid recipe for the future.

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