The 2009 class is stepping into the spotlight.
Across MLS academies, these rising talents are proving themselves against older competition and earning real recognition at the next level ⭐️
Here are the names worth tracking
Shane Notkin
Shane Notkin is a dynamic left-footed attacking midfielder and forward from the 2009 class, bringing a strong combination of physical presence, creativity, and attacking quality. Comfortable driving directly at defenders, he uses his strength and close control to progress the ball while consistently looking to break lines with forward passes and well-timed through balls. His powerful left foot also makes him a threat around goal, giving him the ability to both create and finish chances. Now with FC Cincinnati, Notkin continues to establish himself as an exciting attacking prospect with the versatility and tools to influence games in multiple areas of the final third.
Rylan Hashimoto
Rylan Hashimoto is an exciting forward who has emerged as one of Real Salt Lake Academy's notable attacking prospects. He combines intelligent movement, direct attacking play, and an ability to find dangerous spaces in the final third, giving him a consistent presence around the goal. His development has also earned significant recognition at the national level, with multiple U.S. U-17 Men's National Team call-ups as well as selection for the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game. Hashimoto continues to build an impressive pathway through both the RSL Academy and U.S. youth national team setup, establishing himself as a promising player to follow.
Landon Mellecker
Landon Mellecker is a versatile Orlando City Academy prospect who has continued to progress through the club's development pathway. Comfortable contributing from defence and midfield, he brings composure in possession, technical quality, and the ability to help his side build play from deeper positions. Mellecker reached an important milestone in August 2026 when he made his professional debut for Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, stepping up from the academy into the professional environment. His continued progression within Orlando City's system makes him an intriguing young player to follow as he takes on higher levels of competition.
Tanner Miller
Tanner Miller is a modern attacking fullback within the Orlando City Academy, known for his positional awareness, clean distribution, and ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ball. He times his overlapping runs well and provides consistent width going forward, while remaining composed when building possession from deeper areas. Miller's performances have also earned him recognition within the U.S. Youth National Team pathway, including involvement with the U.S. U-16 setup. His combination of technical quality, intelligent movement, and two-way ability makes him a promising outside-back prospect within Orlando City's system.
Kamal Sawadogo
Kamal Sawadogo is a composed, left-footed center-back progressing rapidly through the Colorado Rapids development pathway. He combines physical presence with confidence in possession, giving him the ability to defend assertively while also helping initiate play from the back. Sawadogo took a major step forward in 2026 by making his professional debut and first start for Colorado Rapids 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring his first professional goal in the same appearance. Still part of the Rapids Academy setup, his early exposure to the professional game and continued development make him an intriguing defensive prospect to follow.
Henrik Hvatum
Henrik Hvatum is a dynamic attacking prospect progressing through the New York City FC development pathway, primarily operating from the right wing. He brings directness in possession, intelligent movement in attacking areas, and the technical ability to create problems for defenders in one-on-one situations. Hvatum has already gained valuable professional experience with NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring his first professional goal during the 2026 season while earning regular minutes against older competition. He has also previously been identified within the U.S. Youth National Team talent pathway, adding to his reputation as an exciting young attacker with strong potential as he continues his development at NYCFC.
Hadji Samb
El Hadji Samb is a versatile attacking player who has progressed quickly through the New York City soccer pathway and into the professional environment with NYCFC II. Comfortable operating from the left side or further forward, he brings athleticism, direct running, and an ability to attack space with purpose in the final third. Samb made his professional debut in 2026 at just 16, marking an important step in his development after rising through the club's youth setup. His early exposure to MLS NEXT Pro competition and continued progression within the NYCFC system make him one of the more intriguing young attacking prospects to follow.
Rondell “RJ” White
RJ White is a highly promising center-back developing through the Inter Miami CF Academy, combining strong physical tools with composure and technical ability in possession. He reads the game well, has the recovery speed and agility to defend effectively in space, and is comfortable using close control to work his way out of pressure. White's distribution and decision-making have continued to improve, allowing him to contribute confidently when building attacks from the back while remaining reliable in one-on-one defensive situations. With experience already coming against higher-level competition and growing recognition among the top American prospects in his age group, White continues to establish himself as an exciting defensive talent within Inter Miami's pathway.
Brady Kendall
Brady Kendall is a composed and technically capable midfielder progressing quickly through the Orlando City development pathway. He brings confidence in possession, good awareness in central areas, and the ability to connect play while operating effectively under pressure. Kendall has taken a significant step forward during the 2026 season, earning consistent opportunities with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro and making his first professional start against New York City FC II in August. His transition from the academy into regular exposure against older professional competition highlights his continued development and makes him another promising young midfielder to follow within Orlando City's system.
Jett Harrison
Jett Harrison is a promising defender who has quickly progressed into the Philadelphia Union development pathway after previously playing with DKSC and spending time in the FC Dallas system. Originally from Oklahoma, he brings composure, athleticism, and confidence in defensive situations while continuing to refine his ability to play within a possession-based back line. Harrison took a significant step in June 2026 when he made his MLS NEXT Pro debut for Philadelphia Union II, entering against New York Red Bulls II while still competing with the Union Academy. His rapid transition into professional-level minutes highlights his development and makes him an intriguing defensive prospect within one of MLS's strongest youth pathways.
