First-year players looking to make an impact in MLS have never faced a more difficult challenge.

While the league has continued to expand, the increase in spending has made it rare for the first-year pro to come in and see significant minutes right away. And that’s considering whether a player is signing from the academy as a teenager or joining after a year (or four) of college. Add to that the fact that most younger signings are viewed as long-term projects, and it makes the Rookie of the Year race difficult to gauge in 2019.

That being said, candidates should emerge, whether via the draft or a Homegrown signing. Below is a rundown of some of the players that could emerge as the 2019 MLS Rookie of the Year.