MLS: Top 3 new homegrowns to watch in 2020

MLS teams are increasingly understanding the potential value of an intelligent homegrown contract. Here are three such players to watch in 2020.

Homegrown contracts in Major League Soccer are becoming a bit of hit or miss. They allow for clubs to gamble on younger players under the guise of shorter and typically cheaper contracts. However, when they pay off, the reward can be far greater than even some designated player contracts. In 2020, there are several key new homegrown additions that could uplift some clubs in key areas.

Here are three throughout the league to keep an eye on.

3. Moses Nyeman

Moses Nyeman is a traditional box-to-box midfielder with a knack for getting through balls in behind in the final third. When he signed his homegrown contract at 15 years old, he became the second-youngest signee at D.C.

Last season he made 16 appearances for Loudon United in the USL Championship, scoring one goal in that time. During the 2019 offseason, Nyeman spent his time training in Germany with the Borussia Dortmund U19 squad and has since returned for first-team action at Audi Field.

Whether he breaks into the senior set-up at D.C. United at such a young age remains to be seen. It would be surprising if he was handed any sort of MLS role this season. Nevertheless, given his youth and potential, it will be fascinating to see if he can earn any sort of playing time. This could, after all, be the start of a long and illustrious career.