24 Under 24: MLSsoccer.com editors have their say on who'll top 2016 list

<strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br> Editor-In-Chief

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/diego-fagundez">Diego Fagundez</a> (NE)

No longer a boy in a man’s game, he’s going to prove all the hype was actually not big enough.

<strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br> Senior Director of Video

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh">Kekuta Manneh</a> (VAN)

It’s hard not to go with Manneh, who will only be 21 when he appears at the top of next year's list. He has taken strides on and off the field each year and has all the tools Fabián Castillo has, with more time to improve and refine them.

<strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br> Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-miazga">Matt Miazga</a> (NY)

Miazga has turned heads in a breakout 2015 season, and his star will only rise higher in 2016.

<strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br> Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-miazga">Matt Miazga</a> (NY)

Among a group with oodles of potential (see Manneh, Kekuta), Miazga may actually have the highest ceiling. His physical dominance jumps out, but it’s his instinctual passing ability that has scouts drooling.

<strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br> Armchair Analyst

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/wil-trapp">Wil Trapp</a> (CLB)

He's learned more and more about how to control the game in his 2.5 MLS years, and 2016 will prove his breakout campaign on the defensive side of the ball.

<strong>Simon Borg</strong><br> Managing Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lucas-melano">Lucas Melano</a> (POR)

Sure, he's young, but he’s a finished product. With a full preseason in Portland, he’ll be a scoring force in 2016.

<strong>Arielle Castillo</strong><br> Senior Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh">Kekuta Manneh</a> (VAN)

Kekuta’s my top pick if he continues making so much out of his ample playing time. Miazga’s a close second, making serious contributions to the Red Bulls.

<strong>Ben Baer</strong><br> Researcher

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh">Kekuta Manneh</a> (VAN)

His potential is off the charts, and with another year of development, he could be one of the top players in MLS, let alone the top player under the age of 24.

<strong>Ben Couch</strong><br> Senior Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lucas-melano">Lucas Melano</a> (POR)

Portland spent years chasing Melano, one of the youngest — and brightest — talents among the new crop of (Argentine) DPs. The Timbers will look very smart very soon.

<strong>Alicia Rodriguez</strong><br> Contributing Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/erick-torres">Cubo Torres</a> (HOU)

Call it a hunch, since Torres is having a very disappointing 2015. But with a full preseason in Houston, and any lingering injuries behind him, he should bounce back and be back to his best next season.

<strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br> FutbolMLS Editor

<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh">Kekuta Manneh</a> (VAN)

The skills he’s shown this year have boosted his value. Similar to the transformation Castillo has had, if Manneh can let go of the ball a bit more and pass it quicker, he will be unstoppable among under-24 players.