In a world of instant gratification where every young soccer star is billed as the next big thing and many buy into the hype before any substantiated results, Justin Ellis is an unassuming prodigy, a humble talent quick to sacrifice for the team on the field, and slow to praise himself off it.

The Florida native has steadily risen over the last 15 months, starting with his Orlando City B debut in March 2024, quickly followed by his first professional goal in his second professional game. At 16 years old, that strike highlighted all his strengths in one. Starting with the work rate to win the ball on the press, the strength to shoulder a 24-year-old former college All-American onto the turf, then the vision and dribbling to cut past another defender before finding the back of the net.

The 16-year-old with his FIRST professional goal 🫡

What a finish, Justin 💪 pic.twitter.com/z1E7qvhNlp

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) March 23, 2024

Fast forward to April 2025, and the Generation Adidas Cup served as the global coming-out party for a talent whose reserved personality off the field has seen him too often overlooked in discussions about the best American prospects. With six goals in six games, Ellis finished as the top scorer, guiding Orlando City to the U18 title, its first in any age group for the prestigious tournament. 

Ellis, discussing his perspective going into the event, was quick to speak of his belief that his team could win the trophy, while downplaying any personal statistical aspirations. 

“All of us were really confident. I had high expectations. Before the tournament, I told everyone that if we didn’t win it, then it is a disappointment...I was solely focused on winning the tournament, scoring goals is just my way to help the team.”

He can be described as humble, but not passive, showcasing a mature understanding of the line between self-confidence and arrogance. His burrito chumping celebration that went viral from the MLS Next Fest in December 2024 was a brief glimpse into his playful but confident demeanor. After scoring in an eventual 3-0 defeat of the LA Galaxy, the defending MLS Next champions, Ellis sprinted to the corner flag, and the rest is history. “One of the kids told me to take a bite, so I said alright, give me one.”

This is too funny... Justin Ellis really took out & ate a burrito after scoring for Orlando City U19s at the MLS Next Fest today 👀🌯🤣

What a celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/8rVPF4q1Xs

— Rising Ballers (@RisingBallers_) December 10, 2024

While his statistical accomplishments at the GA Cup may have resembled those of a ruthless goal scorer, extensive analysis of his play reveals a complete striker who can excel in varying tactical systems and is just as comfortable creating for others as he is himself. The MLS Next star is just as likely to provide breathtaking assists as he is scoring a viral goal, emphasizing his desire to do whatever the team needs to win.  

Thomas ➡️ Justin ➡️ Shak ➡️ Back of the net pic.twitter.com/BEFDJ3k6Ut

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 3, 2025

Take the GA Final, where the Colorado Rapids did well to swarm him when he touched the ball. Rather than force the issue with low-percentage shots, the striker instinctively settled into a playmaking role, utilizing the attention he commanded to provide hockey assists on the two goals Orlando City scored.

Still, despite his role leading the team, Ellis was quick to credit Javier Carrillo, a coach he boldly claims is the best in the country. 

“I feel like we have the best coach in the country. He is good at everything in terms of motivating, reading the game, reading the room, and his tactics are crazy. In every single phase of the game, we know exactly what he wants us to do.”

It is hard to argue with that proclamation, considering the Orlando City Academy Director has another impressive title on his resume as the man who led the U17 squad to the 2021 MLS Next Cup.

That is a common theme with Ellis: a desire to highlight the mentors and coaches he has had along the way. Even with his time in Inter Miami, which he left in December 2022, rather than downplay his former club, he spoke glowingly of the leaders and teammates he had during his tenure before concluding that, “They helped me so much, gave me a platform to succeed.”

The high school senior has hit one high after another since trading Miami for Orlando. He most recently celebrated his 18th birthday by making his MLS debut as an 88th-minute substitute in a 3-1 defeat of Charlotte SC on May 14, 2025.

In the interview two weeks before the momentous appearance, Ellis was coy about his chances to feature with the first team. “Maybe I am close [to a first team debut], maybe I am not. I have no idea, all I can do is focus on whoever I play for.” 

One would assume the Golden Boot winner of the GA Cup would be outwardly demanding a senior appearance, leveraging his rising status to force the club into a corner. After all, two of his teammates at the event had already made their MLS debuts, in Colin Guske, an impressive box-to-box midfielder, and Gustavo Caraballo, a 16-year-old star who won tournament MVP and holds the franchise record for youngest debutant and goal scorer. Yet, Ellis held a mature perspective, a level-headed approach that takes on one day at a time.

“Just focusing on what I can improve on is my main goal. I just want to keep on improving, nothing specific about what I want to accomplish . . . That is my goal for my soccer career, hopefully I can maximize my potential as much as possible.”

The next milestone could be the U20 World Cup in September. Ellis, who is also eligible for Uruguay through his mother, has so far played up to the U.S. U18 level, where he has scored twice in two appearances. The attacking talent pool is deep for the U20 age group, but his trajectory suggests he has an outside shot at the roster. When asked about his vision for the World Cup, Ellis, true to form, was quick to bring his expectations back down to earth.

“That would be a dream come true, but I haven’t really thought about it...I just have to focus on what I can control. I can’t control if I get picked or not, I just have to control my performance.”

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