24 under 24: League-high nine Whitecaps FC players make preliminary list

Laba, Rivero celebration in white

One week from today, MLSsoccer.com will release its annual 24 under 24 list, which – as its name suggests – ranks the league’s best players under the age of 24.


In advance of the release, MLSsoccer.com has publicized a 75-player shortlist and not surprisingly, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are well represented. In fact, there are nine different ‘Caps on the shortlist, which is at least two more than any other team.



The Whitecaps FC players on the shortlist are:


Sam Adekugbe: 20
Deybi Flores: 19
Kianz Froese: 19
Matias Laba: 23
Kekuta Manneh: 20
Nicolas Mezquida: 23
Cristian Techera: 23
Russell Teibert: 22
Octavio Rivero: 23


The 75-player shortlist was selected by a preliminary panel of MLSsoccer.com editors and external constituents and then a larger panel of North American media who cover MLS regularly rated the 75 players based on the following criteria:


  • Technical (first touch, dribbling, shooting, heading, etc.)
  • Soccer IQ (positioning, reading game, situational understanding, tactical awareness, etc.)
  • Physical Attributes (balance, agility, speed, endurance, strength, vertical leap, etc.)
  • Personality (attitude, marketability, media savviness, charisma, intangibles, etc.)
  • Potential (improvability, ceiling, national team potential, potential future transfer value, etc.)


Which Whitecaps FC players do you think will – or should – make the final list?

Click here to learn more about 24 under 24, including the full list of 75 players.

24 under 24: League-high nine Whitecaps FC players make preliminary list -

It’s now easier than ever to be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver. Get 2016 Season Tickets for as little as $35/month all in.