Fansided

10 potential breakout players for the 2018 MLS season

By Harrison Hamm

FRISCO, TX - JUNE 27: FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon (22) looks to pass the ball during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on June 27, 2017, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX - JUNE 27: FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon (22) looks to pass the ball during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on June 27, 2017, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – JUNE 01: Brooks Lennon of USA celebrates after scoring their third goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 Round of 16 match between USA and New Zealand at Incheon Munhak Stadium on June 1, 2017 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Alex Morton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – JUNE 01: Brooks Lennon of USA celebrates after scoring their third goal during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 Round of 16 match between USA and New Zealand at Incheon Munhak Stadium on June 1, 2017 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Alex Morton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

5. Brooks Lennon, Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake’s youth movement last year took them from complete rock bottom (a June road trip to Texas that saw them lose two games by a combined score of 11-2) to barely missing the Western Conference playoffs. On the back of a talented core of young players, they went 9-4-5 (W-D-L) after June 17, third-best in the conference.

Justen Glad was among the league’s best at center-back. No. 10 Albert Rusnak (7 goals, 14 assists) was the centerpiece. Danilo Acosta (who you’ll see more of soon) played right-back. Jefferson Savarino was exciting and productive off the wing. And Brooks Lennon, former Liverpool loanee, was all over the place at the top of the attack. The average age of those five players is 21.

Lennon played 1,525 minutes (25 appearances, 15 starts) at various spots in attack. He impressed as a false 9 at one point — that was fun! — and he also saw time as a second striker of sorts and as a winger. His numbers, three goals and four assists, were solid if unspectacular, but he was an electric complement to a young and mobile attack.

With Spanish forward Alfredo Ortuno in to score the goals for this season, Lennon and RSL should get a lot more efficient in the attacking third.

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