After six weeks to digest the action on the field, the Rookie Rankings are back with yet another crop of first-year professionals to follow.
Early returns are encouraging and although we haven't gotten a glimpse of perhaps the most electrifying player to start his Major League Soccer career in 2013 – that would be the LA Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes – there is still plenty of quality in the 2013 class on both sides of the ball.
For now at least, the Rapids have to feel like the early SuperDraft winners, with two players landing in the season's first Rookie Rankings. Meanwhile, it seems New England hit pay dirt with the No. 1 overall choice, and Chivas USA got the right player to fit their system and club.
Who do you think has inside track for Rookie of the Year recognition? Have your say in the comments section below or make your voice heard by voting in the poll to the right!
For a more detailed look at Major League Soccer's best young talent, check out MLSsoccer.com's 24 Under 24 series.
Only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule and statistics.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
<strong>Last </strong> |
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NA</strong> |
<br><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Andrew-Farrell.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"><strong>Andrew Farrell</strong> |
<p>He's not flashy. He doesn't dominate headlines with a high-wattage personality. Andrew Farrell just does his job – the Revs have allowed two goals in four games – and he does it exceedingly well. His best position long term is probably center back, but New England manager Jay Heaps should be able to pencil him in at right back for the rest of 2013.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Seattle (4 ET, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 4 GP, 4 GS</li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 22 points, $5.0 million (3 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NA</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Dillon-Powers.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"><strong>Dillon Powers</strong> |
<p>Word on the street is that Sporting KC were a bit disappointed he didn't slip in the first round – they've got a pretty good track record with Notre Dame products, after all – but Colorado pulled the trigger at No. 11 and are reaping the rewards. <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/03/30/goal-dillon-powers-laser-corner" target="_blank">He's clearly got a shot from distance</a>, but Powers also has the engine, guile and attitude to thrive in MLS' rough-and-tumble middle third.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Defeated Real Salt Lake, 1-0 (90 min)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm ET, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 1 G (6 GP, 6 GS)</li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 18 points, $5.5 million (0.9 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NA</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DeShorn-Brown.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"><strong>Deshorn Brown</strong> |
<p>It may be unfair to place Brown mid-table considering the quality of his all-around play, but a striker's job is to score goals and he hasn't yet been particularly polished in front of net. Mark this down as motivation: If he figures it out inside the 18-yard box and holds onto his spot once Edson Buddle is back full time, we could be looking at a Rookie of the Year campaign in the making.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Defeated Real Salt Lake, 1-0 (90 min)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday at Chivas USA (10:30 pm ET, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 1 G, 1 A (6 GP, 6 GS)</li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 20 points, $6.2 million (15.3 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NA</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DeAndre-Yedlin.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"><strong>DeAndre Yedlin</strong> |
<p>Seattle fans will want the Homegrown product higher, which is perfectly understandable considering his contributions in the CONCACAF Champions League. But these rankings only take MLS play into consideration, and Yedlin and the Seattle backline have some work to do. Still, he's about as exciting an outside back prospect as there is in MLS, boasting a tantalizing combination of on-ball skill and athleticism.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. New England (4 ET, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 1 A (4 GP, 4 GS)</li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 11 points, $4.6 million (4.4 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NA</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Carlos-Alvarez.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"><strong>Carlos Alvarez</strong> |
<p>Some wondered if Chivas USA reached a bit for Alvarez at No. 2, but the UConn product has put those fears to bed already. His game-tying goal is what the casual fan will remember, but the attacking midfielder puts in complete shifts on both sides of the ball. For now at least, he seems to have a spot in Chelís' XI locked down. If his fortunes follow those of his club, No. 5 may just be a starting place in these rankings.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Bye</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Colorado (10:30 pm ET, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 1 G (3 GP, 2 GS)</li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 13 points, $5.2 million (1.2 percent owned)</li></ul> |
Rookies to watch: Erik Hurtado (VAN), Scott Caldwell (NE), Adam Jahn (SJ), Devon Sandoval (RSL)
