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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VANCOUVER, CANADA – MARCH 2: Vancouver Whitecap fans wave flags during the MLS game between Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps March 2, 2013 at B.C. Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA – MARCH 2: Vancouver Whitecap fans wave flags during the MLS game between Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps March 2, 2013 at B.C. Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

Vancouver Whitecaps: Alphonso Davies

Out of all the talented prodigies on this list, we have to wait until the end to find possibly the most talented of all, and the one most acquainted with first team action at by far the youngest age.

16-year-old Alphonso Davies, who made his debut at the tender age of 15 last July to become the first player born in the 2000s to make an MLS appearance, has played 20 games and started seven for the Whitecaps. While still looking for his first MLS point (as in goal or assist), he has become a key contributor for a growing Vancouver team that not too long ago dealt winger Kekuta Manneh to Columbus to possibly make room for Davies.

Extremely mature for his age, Davies’ best position could very well end up being box-to-box midfielder, where he got some time in the Caps’ 2-1 win over FC Dallas on July 17. He had played mostly on the wing prior to that game, where less tactical management skills are required and where many young central midfielders begin their careers before eventually moving inside having gained experience.

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He became the youngest player to make an appearance for the Canadian national team early in June, skipping the youth levels and going right to the top. Canada and the Whitecaps, two teams that have had a bit trouble finding success over the past few years, are understandably welcoming with open arms a talented player of this caliber already showing it as a freshman in high school.

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