Top 5 MLS Rookies 2015

In 2014 Tesho Akindele made his FC Dallas debut on April 12 and scored his first goal on May 21 on the way to being named MLS’ Rookie of the Year.

This season 19 rookies have made their MLS debut, including 14 of the first round picks in the 2015 SuperDraft.

In comparison only 13 of the 2014 SuperDraft’s first round picks saw any playing time last season, and only 26 rookies featured in MLS.

Shelton in action for NYCFC

Here we look at the top five rookies of 2015 to date...

5) Khiry Shelton (New York City FC)

Forward – 2^nd overall pick

After scoring 10 and assisting 12 in his senior year at college, big things were expected of Shelton and he hasn’t disappointed. Remarkably, he has appeared in 11 of New York City’s 12 matches this season. After impressing with a series of pacy, direct displays off the bench he has started six of his side’s last seven matches. In the other match he came off the bench to score the stoppage-time equaliser, his first MLS goal, against Chicago Fire. Shelton is not the finished article, and needs to improve his decision making in the final third, but a big future awaits the US Under-23 international.

4) Fatai Alashe (San Jose Earthquakes)

Defensive Midfielder – 4^th overall pick

Alashe made the perfect start to his professional career by scoring the first goal at San Jose’s brand new Avaya Stadium. That was the midfielder’s second start and his side’s second win after a 16-match winless streak dating back to last season. Alashe scored 14 times and made 15 assists in 85 appearances for Michigan State and has also made 11 appearances for Portland Timbers Under-23s. With nine starts already this year, he has become an integral part of Dominic Kinnear’s side, which currently sits fourth in the Western Conference, and look’s set for a long career in MLS.

Dia (Right) battles ex-Leeds striker Mike Grella for the ball

3) Amadou Dia (Sporting Kansas City)

Defender – 20^th overall pick

After starting both of Sporting Kansas City’s first two games of the season, Dia had to wait until his side’s 4-2 victory over New England Revolution for his third start of the season. Rookies Saad Abdul-Salaam and Connor Hallisey also ended the game for Sporting KC, but Dia has been the pick of this years crop. Born in France, the left back made 70 appearances in a four year college career and has made a seamless transition to MLS. He made his fifth start and ninth appearance against FC Dallas, where he helped shutout one of the league’s most prolific attacks. The most impressive defender of this year’s rookies.

2) Matt Polster (Chicago Fire)

Defensive Midfielder – 7^th overall pick

After starting all 79 games he played in his four-year college career with SIU Edwardsville, Polster made just one substitute appearance for Chicago before earning a starting spot. Fire have endured a difficult start to the season, but Polster has produced a number of impressive displays in holding midfield, in particular for his precise passing and defensive awareness. He has earned comparisons to Wil Trapp and US legend John Harkes, the first American to play in the Premier League. Likely to move on to better things.

Larin has scored four times to justify his No.1 Draft pick

1) Cyle Larin (Orlando City)

Forward – 1^st overall pick

In 2007 Maurice Edu became the first No. 1 SuperDraft pick to become Rookie of the Year – in 2015 Larin might just become the second. The 20-year-old had to wait until April 12 for his first start but promptly scored in a 2-0 win over Portland Timbers and now has four goals in seven starts for Orlando. Larin looks to be purpose built to be a striker; he’s lightning quick, strong and his finishing has improved in recent weeks. He was the star in Orlando’s 4-0 demolition of LA Galaxy – he ran the Galaxy defence ragged from start to finish and topped off a brilliant display with his third goal in as many games. The best of an impressive rookie bunch so far.

Disagree? Let us know who you think should have made the list in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Elsa, Jamie Squire and Alex Menendez, with thanks.