Some will rise, some will fall and some will shake the entire world.
That's the nature of sport. Last year's talented prospect is this year's superstar, washout, solid starter or squad player. There's no one path that works for everybody, and while talent identification has improved, it's still not an exact science--especially with the number of variables in our game.
The biggest variable? That's probably with which team any given player lands. Some – like the New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas – make a point of getting their kids onto the field. Others are determined to live or die with their veterans, and as such end up with no representation on the 24 Under 24 list and a longer path to prominence.
So for the six guys below who just missed the cut, bear those variables in mind. Maybe they need better technique, strength or tactical awareness.
Or maybe they just need a different team, a different path.
Luis Gil - Real Salt Lake
The US U-23 national team's No. 10 has been productive when wearing Red, White and Blue but has consistently failed to replicate that form for the Claret and Cobalt, and the voting panel has finally cut bait. Gil was #8 last year, #2 in 2013, #14 in 2012 and #11 in 2011. This time he missed it by a single vote. Perhaps Olympic qualifying will be his chance to reclaim the spotlight.
Fatai Alashe - San Jose Earthquakes
Alashe is in the top three of this year's Rookie of the Year race, and like Gil, he's expected to play a big role for the US in Olympic qualifying. The big question, though, is where he fits long-term. Most panel members gave him low marks for his skill as a defensive midfielder, but when distributing from the back as a defender, Alashe has looked very comfortable.
Victor Ulloa - FC Dallas
The local kid has been Mr. Reliable in central midfield ever since Oscar Pareja took over. Ulloa's rarely a game-changer, but he keeps the ball moving, covers a ton of ground, and has a good partnership with another local, Kellyn Acosta (who placed 14th on this year's list).
Cristian Techera - Vancouver Whitecaps
They call him "The Bug" because he's so small, but Techera has made a big impact this season for the 'Caps with six goals and four assists in slightly more than 1,200 minutes. He can do work on either flank, as well as underneath countryman Octavio Rivero (#19) as a second striker and ad hoc playmaker.
Bradford Jamieson IV - LA Galaxy
Injuries didn't derail his rise to stardom, they just delayed it, right? Jamieson brings so many assets to the table -- size, speed, skill on the ball, instincts in the box, confidence -- that it's hard to imagine he won't make it big. He's still just 18, so he has time to keep honing his skills, and with LA's setup, he should see plenty of time on the field for Los Dos.
Cristian Higuita - Orlando City
Higuita, a 21-year-old Colombian with youth national team experience, was imported to do the sort of work that Ulloa's locked down for Dallas. There have been bumps in the road, but he very much looks the part of a solid, long-term MLS starter.
