2021 MLS Breakout XI: Eleven players breaking out in 2021

Over the past few years, we’ve watched talents such as Carles Gil and Lucas Zelarayán immediately capture our attention when they arrived in Major League Soccer. Those familiar names have continued to impress in MLS this season, but this year like the years before has introduced us to new faces. So far, 2021 has had no shortage of young players and newcomers ready to break into the spotlight. Most teams are about 40% through their season; while these players could fade down the stretch, they wasted no time introducing themselves to the league.

To be selected, players either have to be considered a young player according to MLS with less than a season of first-team playing experience, have been signed during the previous transfer window, or have been objectively unheralded before this season. All players have to have featured in 50% of their teams’ total minutes.

After nearly three months and 162 matches, this is your 2021 MLS Breakout IX.

2021 MLS Break IX (4-4-2)

GK: Brad Stuver (Austin FC)

Stuver’s been around for a while, but never before has he been talked about like this. Until this season, the 30-year-old has been a career backup, making 18 appearances across seven MLS seasons, half of those being in the U.S Open Cup.

Austin’s number one’s play through 12 games has him looking like one of the league’s best keepers. Despite having to face 72 shots against, the second most faced by a keeper this season, Stuver has allowed only 14 to get past him. An 80.1 save% places the American first among keepers with at least ten starts.

With an immaculate save percentage, which includes a penalty save against Chicarito, four clean sheets, and continuously displayed ability to impede crosses, it seems Brad Stuver has finally found a home between the sticks.

RB: Kim Moon-Hwan (LAFC)

Following a dismal defensive showing in the abbreviated 2020 campaign, LAFC made it a point to reinforce their backline during the offseason. For $600,000, the South Korean was identified as a fit and snapped up from Busan IPark. After coming off the bench for his first four appearances, the 25-year old has started four straight, seemingly locking down the spot with quality performances.

In eight total appearances, the rapid 25-year old has proved to be an asset for Head Coach Bob Bradley. Kim displayed his solidity attacking and defending during his four cameo appearances to start the season; now, with more creative license and time, the right-back has been a dynamo on the right. During his four starts, Kim has been responsible for 12 shot-creating actions, a further two goal-creating actions, and completing 67% of his dribbles. At 5’8, the South Korean international is not an imposing aerial force, but he tracks opponents well with his speed and is stout defending on the ground. Not to mention he has successfully pressured opponents into losing possession in 36.4% of his attempts, making him The Black and Gold’s third most successful presser.

CB: Jhohan Romaña (Austin FC)

After a solid start to the season in the expansion squad’s backline, it’s been a story of stopping and going for the Colombian. Acquired from Paraguayan side Club Guaraní, the 22-year old was tabbed with bringing athleticism and experience to the squad in spite of his young age. Romaña established himself as a rock in Head Coach Josh Wolff’s back four, starting and playing every minute of the season’s first six games. During this span, the Colombian proved to be a force on land and air, winning 62% of his total duels. In nine 1v1 situations, Romaña came out victorious 77% of the time while making 1.8 tackles per game and 1.4 interceptions per game.

In possession, the defender displayed similarly strong traits. Of players aged 22 or younger, Romana completes the fifth-most passes per game at 41.9 at a 91% clip. The former Indepednite-man isn’t resigned to short passes displaying a wide range from soaring long balls to high chips.

Unfortunately for the defender, he suffered an undisclosed injury during the match with Nashville SC. Since that fateful day, Romaña has only appeared in two of Austin FC’s last seven games, showing up for 11 minutes before being left out of the squad against San Jose Earthquakes and then playing a full 90 against Minnesota United. Minnesota was the last time Romaña has been seen in a competitive game in three weeks, but the budding star should be back following the Gold Cup break.

CB: Jose Martinez (FC Dallas)

A skill set befitting of a Spanish player, Martinez is a robust technical ball-playing defender. At 28-years old, the defender brings plenty of experience and leadership to a relatively young FC Dallas squad. Like his centre-back partner in this eleven, Martinez has experienced a bout with an injury recently. This knock has sidelined him for the past three games, but that does not erase his impressive performances from the previous eight outings.

His time in Sevilla and Barcelona’s systems are evident in his passing range and ability, which is excellent for a defender. Martinez is completing 89% of his passes for a total of 51.9 per game. Even while missing the last three games, Martinez is still third on the team in touches, passes, and progressive distance carried underlining his offensive importance.

The left-footed defender is every bit a commanding opposing presence at 6’2, with the athletic and defensive awareness to back it up. The Spaniard has won 37-of-58 duels on the season with equal effectiveness in the air and on the ground. On the season, Martinez has won 64% of ground duels and 65% of aerial duels.

Hopefully, we get to see more of the former Granada-man soon.

LB: John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls)

The youngest member of the eleven, Tolkin is an 18-year old product of the New York Red Bulls Academy. Head Coach Gerhard Struber likely didn’t expect Tolkin to become such a productive member of the first-team squad at the start of the season, but here we are. Injuries forced Struber’s hand, and it seems to have been for the best. Tolkin has gone from a promising prospect on the bench to a starter in six of Red Bulls’ last seven games.

Tolkin, like Kim on the opposite side, has become an engine on the left flank for his squad. Tolkin finds himself in the 93rd percentile of fullbacks with 2.85 shot-creating actions per 90. The teenager is powerful on the ball; he is comfortable carrying the ball far into the final third with strong balance and ball control. In attacking areas, Tolkin’s speed and on-ball skills often lead to opponents fouling the defender if he already has not laid off a dangerous cross/pass.

Defensively, the New Jersey native has been as impressive. Tolkin can be found in the 98th and 99th percentile for interceptions with 2.52 per 90 and blocks with 4.37 per 90. Despite his young age, Tolkin is a willing and robust tackler on the ground and air.

Enjoy him before he’s off to Salzburg or Leipzig.

LM: Kevin Paredes (DC United)

18-year old Kevin Paredes, deployed as a left wingback, first appeared on the scene last season, registering 946 minutes across 17 appearances just squeezing into this lineup. The teenager showed immense potential in those appearances but has taken his game to new heights this season under new Head Coach Hernan Losada.

In this new high tempo, heavy pressing scheme, Paredes is thriving. Against his fellow fullbacks, the American can be found in the 98th percentile in both pressures and tackles and the 92nd in interceptions.

Paredes contributes plenty to attack, too, with blazing runs towards the box, best evidenced by his goal against Toronto FC and his 1.4 shots per game. In possession, the Virginia native is comfortable and a quality passing outlet, completing 82% of his attempts.

With his exploits this season, Paredes is firmly on the list of young American’s who could be off to Europe soon.

MF: Leon Flach (Philadelphia FC)

In just 13 matches, Flach has not only proved to be just one of the league’s breakout stars but also one of its best defensive midfielders.

A stout tackler adept at intercepting passes, the 20-year old has fit seamlessly into Philadelphia’s style of play, where he can initiate counterattacks with quick, short passes after regaining possession. Flach is a relentless presser, pacing the league with 116 successful presses.

Beyond his elite pressing ability, the midfielder is averaging 3.6 tackles per game, 1.7 interceptions per game, and 2.2 blocks per game, numbers that put him in the league’s 98th, 91st, and 89th percentile, respectively.

For just $275,000, Flach is looking like quality business and one of the year’s best signings.

MF: Santiago Sosa (Atlanta United)

Flach is joined by another midfielder with a penchant for defense.

Sosa has been one of the few bright spots on an otherwise disappointing Five Stripes season. Yes, the days of Tata and Miguel Almiron seem farther than ever still. However, Atlanta is still determined to land quality young South American talent, exactly what they got with Santiago Sosa.

The lynchpin of Head Coach Gabriel Heinze’s squad, Sosa, has been deployed in a back three and as a 6 in midfield. Regardless of where he is put on the field, many things remain the same.

A strong, imposing cerebral player whose success stems from his ability to read the field and put himself in the correct positions. Sosa is often sweeping up passes or denying a ball carrier’s advancement just by understanding where he needs to be. In total, the Argentine’s 62 combined tackles and interceptions rank 11th in the league.

The 22-year old is anything but only a defensive force. As Atlanta’s connection between defense and attack, Sosa paces all young players in passes per game with 61.9, which he completes at 86.6%.

RM: Tyler Pasher (Houston Dynamo)

It took some time, but 27-year old Tyler Pasher has finally found a team to call his own in America’s top flight. Before he was starring for Houston Dynamo, Pasher was something of a football nomad. A 19-year old Pasher decided to leave Toronto FC’s Academy and join a third-tier Finnish side, PS Kemi, in 2013. Since then, he’s appeared for six different clubs, mainly in America’s lower tiers. He made a single appearance for Sporting KC before eventually landing with Indy Eleven, where he established himself as an elite forward in the USL Championship.

Pasher is constantly looking to push the ball upfield either through his carrying or passing.
The Canadian’s outstanding talent is his dribbling, which he uses to penetrate defenses into the final third.

In eight appearances, the Canadian has put up three goals on just seven shots and two assists. While solid number’s, Pasher impact has been far greater.

ST: Fábio (New York Red Bulls)

Brought in on loan from Brazillian club Oeste, 24-year old Fábio has already seen his deal extended, and it’s clear why. Along with several other new faces at Red Bull Arena, he has pushed the young team into the playoff hunt.

In 12 appearances, the striker has banged in two goals but more impressively has laid off six assists, second in the league behind only MVP candidate Carles Gil’s ten. With .77 goal-creating actions per 90, the Brazillian is ninth in the league. That’s two spots behind a teammate we’ll get to soon.

Already a dangerous forward, if he can improve upon finishing, Fábio could ascend into the top class of MLS strikers.

ST: Patryk Klimala (New York Red Bulls)

Fábio is joined at the top of our formation by his club striking partner, Patryk Klimala. A 22-year old Polish forward who struggled to find his footing with Scottish side Celtic, Klimala was purchased for $4.80M and is already returning dividends.

Klimala had a late start with Red Bulls, having been transferred in April, but once he hit the field in week five, it was clear to see why he commanded a nearly $5M fee. An industrious forward capable of creating for himself and others, he has already notched two goals and four assists through eight games. His adventurous exploits in the final third have him seventh in league with .81 goal-creating actions per 90.

Honorable Mentions:

GK: Jonathan Bond (LA Galaxy)

Both keepers to make this list are perfect stories for romantic sports fans. Guys who have bounced around clubs, been essentially disregarded but persevered to become amongst the best in their position in their league, and most impressively make this list.

Bond joined Galaxy following three years and seven appearances for English side West Bromwich Albion. It didn’t take long for Bond to prove himself as an upgrade over David Bingham and Jonathan Klinsmann.

The 28-year-old leads the leagues in saves on the season, with 57 having faced the most shots on target. Bond’s stop-shotting heroics have led to a 78 save% including a 12 save clean sheet victory against the San Jose Earthquakes.

DF: Jack Maher (Nashville FC)

I’m cheating on this one with Maher having only made four appearances, all over the last month. Though his tenure has been brief, his performances have caught the eye.

The second overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft spent time on loan with the San Diego Loyal SC this season before being recalled and flawlessly sliding in as cover for the reigning MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman away from the team on international duty. Since then, Maher has impressed enough to find himself starting in a back three alongside Zimmerman and Dave Romney.

He was highly touted for his skills on the ball over his defending; those qualities with the ball have been precisely what has stood out over his 351 minutes.

The left-footed defender has completed 91% of his passes in his four appearances, including going 26/39 on long balls pitching in with a goal and assist. He’s averaging 59 touches per game, a sign of Head Coach Gary Smith’s trust in him as a legitimate creative outlet from the backline.

MF: Tomás Pochettino (Austin FC)

Austin FC’s second-ever Designated Player makes the list as an honorable mention. A few names stood out here, but ultimately the 25-year old Argentine takes the spot to add some attacking prowess to our midfield.

His overall numbers are not impressive, with only one assist from 11 appearances, but that assist did come in his most recent outing. I give Pochettino the benefit of the doubt for not sporting gaudier numbers considering Austin hasn’t had a legitimate scoring threat all season. Even so, the midfielder has shown the skills necessary to advance the ball into dangerous positions progressively. Also, he has been making continual strides on his season as his passing accuracy has steadily improved, and he’s exhibited more defensive ability than expected.

FW: Rubio Rubin (Real Salt Lake)

Rubin was highly touted as a young player, signing with FC Utrecht in the Netherlands when he turned 18 and even earning seven caps with the United States National Team by the time he was 22. Things haven’t gone as expected for now 25-year old, but he seems to have found a club to call his own after six in eight years.

Rubin hit the ground running in MLS, scoring four goals and adding two more assists in his first five games. He’s slowed down since then, but his dribbling numbers and xAssist numbers still rank in the league’s 88th and 89th percentile, respectively.