As the new MLS season approaches, teams are in the final stage of preseason preparations.

A part of that has been offering the chances for academy talent to earn first-team experience. That leads to the question: who is the next to sign a pro contract?

While going from the academy to first team is generally interspersed with an MLS NEXT Pro contract, projecting who is next is a fascinating challenge. Playing college soccer and then joining a team on a Homegrown deal remains a viable option as well.

Here’s a look at some of the likeliest Homegrown or NEXT Pro signees in the coming months.

Atlanta United FC: David Ilevbare

A central midfielder born in 2010, Ilevbare has sky-high potential. He’ll look to iron out some consistency in the new campaign. 

Others to Know: Seyi Fakiyesi, Santiago Suarez

Austin FC: Drake Fournier 

It remains a pretty bleak level in Austin. Fournier is a standout at Saint Louis(m), though it makes sense for him to remain in school for at least another year.

Others to Know: Christian Ayala, Nicolás Aristizábal, Luke Chamberlain

Charlotte FC: Wyatt Holt

The center back wasn’t part of the 09 World Cup qualifying team but remains as promising of a player that remains unsigned with Charlotte. 

Others to Know: Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz, Rocket Ritarita

Chicago Fire: Charles Nagle

Nagle has logged more than 2,000 minutes for the Fire II in MLS NEXT Pro and seems a prime candidate to at least make that step very soon.

Others to Know: Roko Pehar, Peter Soudan, Patrick Los, Hugo Berg

FC Cincinnati: Connor Dale

There’s arguably little rush to sign a soon-to-be goalkeeper, though the recruiting pitch to the former Inter Miami shot-stopper was likely a pathway to a contract.

Others to Know: Ali Sakr, Joshua Boney, Nicholas Rivera, Will Kuisel, Dom Lester

Colorado Rapids: Noah Strellnauer

Yet to be announced as a Georgetown(m) signee, Strellnauer is likely to take his decision into the summer as the MLS NEXT Pro season begins.

Others to Know: Kendall Starks, Alex Hernandez, Landon Strohmeyer, Max Simpson

Columbus Crew: Jamil Danjaji 

The youth national team forward has the upside and potential to jump into the pro pathway, as he turns 16 this year.

Others to Know: Leo Woehl, Isaac Tortola, Alex Gimple, Immanuel Ewing

D.C. United: Judah Pritchett

A dominant center back who recently committed to Syracuse(m), Pritchett is likely to make it to campus though has the kind of potential to emerge as an MLS-level defender in the not-too-distant future.

Others to Know: Kamil Castillo-Reyes, Reggie Gainer, Gabriel Vasquez

FC Dallas: Liam Vejrostek 

Talent is starting to percolate in Frisco once again, and Vejrostek is a left-sided defender likely to be high on the radar for North Texas SC.

Others to Know: Jodyn Eason, Benjamin Flowers, Andre Saucedo, Christian Wygant

Houston Dynamo: Matthew Arana 

There are a decent amount of players the Dynamo can consider. Arana is a 2010 Mexican-American who spent time in preseason with the first team.

Others to Know: Matheo Dimareli, Daniel Barrett, Tate Lampmann, Lionel Gitau, Mohammed Samir, Myles Gardner, Diego Rosas, Isaac Mwakutuya

LA Galaxy: Ikenna Chidebe

Physical development is likely to leave Chidebe’s signing until later, as he’s shown plenty of skill and nous against his peers. He needs a bit more of a physical profile to suggest he’s ready for a next-level offer.

Others to Know: Mason Vanney, Dylan Vanney, Kai Aina, Mateo McLean

Los Angeles FC: Ethan Scally

A star at last year’s Under-17 World Cup for Japan, at this point LAFC has to consider signing Scally to a contract to give them a fee if clubs from abroad show interest. 

Others to Know: Adrian Sanders, Shakir Nixon

Inter Miami CF: Zidane Cadet

A strong freshman season from Pymm at Stanford(m) warrants a mention, though Cadet is a top No. 9 prospect who suggests he could end up turning pro.

Others to Know: Jack Pymm, Nash Dearmin, Rondell White

Minnesota United FC: Max Harwood

The 2010 central midfielder played up at age group with the Under-19s and could be on the radar in Minnesota.

Others to Know: Issa Saidi, Justin Sosnouski, Timothy Dennis

CF Montreal: Aghilas Sadek

Montreal inked a couple of top prospects this offseason and could be done filling out the back of the roster. Sadek is an attacking midfielder with youth national team pedigree who will look to play his way to an offer.

Others to Know: Jean-Christophe Belzile

Nashville SC: Emmanuel Arias

The Tennessee squad has several intriguing players, though have looked more towards older talent from other MLS teams’ academies to bring into the fold. Arias makes sense at some point as a top 2010 goalkeeping prospect.

Others to Know: Xavier Aguilar, Joshua Swanzy, Liam Devan, Andre Krikorian, Tristan Tropeano, Charly Dealmonte

New England Revolution: Makai Wells 

The Washington, D.C. native arrived at New England via Barca Residency Academy. He has the upside and talent to earn a deal as an attacking option out wide.

Others to Know: Ryker Fauth, Zachary LaPierre, Eli Ackerman, Judah Siqueira, Jamie Kabuusu, Josh Partal

New York City FC: Kieran Smith

Smith spent time in preseason with NYCFC and could be in the mix for a NEXT Pro deal. Hvatum is another player to consider from the 09 age group.

Others to Know: Lance Lessey, Henrik Hvatum, Olumuyiwa Ajayi, Costantino Muscedere, Evan Lim

New York Red Bulls: Eric Lodge

After signing Paul Sokoloff, it will be interesting to see if the Red Bulls add any more players from the 2008 or 2009 age group. Lodge is emerging as an ideal candidate from the 2010s at this point. Most Red Bulls signings are directly to the second team at this point.

Others to Know: Alex Gomez, Dennis Nelich, Caleb Simmons

Orlando City SC: Jacob Ramirez 

The 09 central midfielder looks like he’ll be next up when it comes to signing a deal with Orlando City B.

Others to Know: Deshneck Nkeh, Tanner Miller, Brady Kendall, Jakob Garcia, Omar Robbana

Philadelphia Union: Jordan Griffin

The left back seems a natural fit to earn a contract from Union II after a big 2025. There are several players in the 2010 age group who warrant a look as well.

Others to Know: Timoni Gbalajobi, Abdoul Diop, Samuel Diaz Gallego, Isaiah Mendoza, Henry Bernstein

Portland Timbers: Eric Izoita

Izoita and Bryce VanVoorhis have to be close after spending time in preseason with the first team. The former is a 2026 graduate committed to Portland(m).

Others to Know: Vala Saghafi, August Nystrom, Elias Douratsos Walker, Bryce VanVoorhis

Real Salt Lake: Linkon Ream

RSL has long been aggressive in promoting Academy players to a Real Monarchs deal. Ream is in Monarchs training camp and could be among the new signees ahead of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.

Others to Know: Easton Wilson, Evan Emmenger, Blake Kelly, Axel Uriostegui, Rowan Martin, Rylan Hashimoto

San Diego FC: Saulo Tejeda

The second-year franchise fields just an Under-13 team at this point. Tejeda plays for the San Diego Surf and is one of several talented players from the region who has pro potential. At the very least, he could sign to be transferred to a club in Mexico. Other talented players from the area feature for Barca Residency Academy.

Others to Know: Mason Jackson, Ethan O'Neill

San Jose Earthquakes: Marcelo Avalos

The goalkeeper has returned to the Bay Area after spending last season with the Philadelphia Union. Eligible to play for Mexico, he has the quality to earn an offer from the Earthquakes.

Others to Know: Ezra Mahteme, Rocky Rommell

Seattle Sounders FC: Gallantin Sandnes

The 2008-born center back is cementing his status as a top prospect in the age group. He’s been with the Sounders first team in the preseason.

Others to Know: Landon Lucero, Duncan Green, Jackson Dale

St. Louis City SC: Alex Jundt

Still in search of a Homegrown star, there are several names to watch out for from the 2008 through 2010 age groups.

Others to Know: Eddie Niles, Kane Kraus, Yuichiro Ota, Evan Carlock, Lucas McPartlin, Lorenzo Cornelius

Sporting KC: Nate Young

Several academy players earned first-team run in the preseason. Young is a center back from the 08 age group who has high potential. He is most likely to play at Virginia(m) in the fall unless he tears it up with SKC II.

Others to Know: Luca Antongirolami, Jack Francka

Toronto FC: Timothy Fortier

Fortier is committed to play at Stanford(m), and it’s all but certain he makes it to Palo Alto. He did get a look in preseason with the first team.

Others to Know: O’Mario White, Richard Chukwu, Chimere Omeze

Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ajagbe

The college star had 10 goals in 20 games at Portland(m) in the fall. Since he hasn’t signed with the first team yet, it’s unlikely, but he is a prime candidate. 

Others to Know: Tyler Brown