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 13, 2017; Germantown, MD, USA; D.C. United midfielder Chris Durkin (21) advances the ball against Christos FC during the first half at the Maryland Soccerplex. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Germantown, MD, USA; D.C. United midfielder Chris Durkin (21) advances the ball against Christos FC during the first half at the Maryland Soccerplex. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

D.C. United: Chris Durkin

D.C. are sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, thanks in part to a slew of crucial injuries and in part because they don’t spend money on foreign players or invest in youth talent. There’s no Designated Player in the nation’s capital right now, and without a USL team, the only Homegrown player they can claim a success so far is Bill Hamid, who was signed in 2009.

Durkin, a 17-year-old, and 22-year-old Providence rookie Ian Harkes are their current claims to fame. Harkes has played a lot this year and could have been the No. 1 SuperDraft pick had he not been signed as a Homegrown; he’s been solid for them so far even if we haven’t seen everything from him yet. He’s one for the future, but he’s two years off of this list’s requirements.

That leaves Durkin, another versatile central midfielder, as the only U-20 player on D.C.’s roster. He was signed from their academy last year at age 16 and has spent most of his time playing for United’s USL partner club, the Richmond Kickers. Durkin has yet to make a league appearance for D.C., but played 57 minutes in their U.S. Open Cup win against Christos FC.

He’s considered one of the more promising young players in MLS right now and could be a future replacement for aging defensive midfielder Marcelo Sarvas. With six U.S. U-17 caps, he could also have a chance with the U.S.’s youth national teams as well.

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