Brenden Aaronson tops MLS 22 under 22 list; Mark McKenzie finishes third

Brenden Aaronson is the No. 1 player under 22 in MLS, according to a list fully released by the league on Thursday.

Aaronson beat out LAFC midfielder Brian Rodriguez and teammate Mark McKenzie to get the top spot in this year’s MLS 22 Under 22. Aaronson was 7th and McKenzie 16 on the list in 2019. McKenzie was No. 21 in 2018.

Aaronson turned 20 on Thursday and will be joining Red Bull Salzburg in Austria in January in a transfer deal worth a reported $6 million plus $3 million in add-ons. McKenzie may also be gone before next season but no deal has been announced.