FC Dallas are known for espousing the “play your kids” ethos, and the numbers back it up.
The North Texas club will field the youngest roster in Major League Soccer in 2019, with an average age of 24.12 years, according to statistics compiled by MLSsoccer.com’s Ben Baer. (These figures reflect MLS rosters as of Feb. 27 and players’ ages as of March 2, opening day of the new season.)
In that regard FCD narrowly edge the New York Red Bulls, who had the youngest squad last year and come in third this season – but what’s more surprising is who’s between them, with the second-youngest side at 24.29 years.
After looking to veteran superstars like David Villa, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo in the early years of their existence, New York City FC have moved in a markedly different direction, signing several teenage Homegrown Players and acquiring fresh-faced talent with big upside from overseas.
At the other end of the spectrum sit the Seattle Sounders, who return a battle-tested group that's reached two of the past three MLS Cup finals and looks primed to contend again, and Minnesota United, who made a point to pick up several experienced newcomers with strong track records of success in the league.
Wondering how MLS stacks up to other leagues? This post from last year provides a comparison to other North American pro sports leagues, and here’s a rundown of the average ages of English Premier League rosters (FCD and NYCFC would be the youngest there, too).
