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MLS dropped the first half of their annual “22 Under 22” list on Wednesday, highlighting the top young players in the league, and two LA Galaxy players were among the pack.
Midfielder Efrain Alvarez was voted No. 17 on the list, while defender/midfielder Julian Araujo was No. 12 in the ranking for 2020.
#️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ // #22U22@LAGalaxy’s @efrain_alvarez1 makes the list for the third time in three years. He’s that good and that young. pic.twitter.com/rqhcu1zlW3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2020
Alvarez dropped in the rankings from last year, when he was No. 13, but it matches his 2018 ranking.
Having said that, Alvarez has made a career high in minutes played in MLS so far this season, with 610, and will hit a career high in appearances with his next game played, and he scored his first goal in the league this season. With the Galaxy enduring a rocky season, Alvarez has had to take some lumps, but considering he’s still just 18 and has played all of 28 games at MLS level so far, it’s a promising start.
#️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ // #22U22
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2020
Whether it’s at defense or in the midfield, @julian__araujo puts in the work! pic.twitter.com/Rqo0sz0S1Y
This is Araujo’s first time on the list, with the 19-year-old becoming a fixture in the lineup this season. The right back, who has also spent time as a right-sided midfielder for LA this year, is in his second season as a pro and has also hit a career high in minutes played, with 948, in 12 appearances, all starts.
Alvarez has gotten plenty of hype and Araujo appears to be breaking through now, but all in all the Galaxy have some young players to be excited about, with more promising players in the pipeline. Congrats to Efrain and Julian, and keep up the good work.
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