The 2022 Major League Soccer season has come to a close, giving way for us to look at the most influential figures of this campaign.
Several obscure players worked their way into the spotlight, inspiring their team to regular-season successes and a postseason push. In the east, Bryce Duke propelled Inter Miami to their first playoff appearance, while Talles Magno gracefully carried the pressures of being the reigning champions by leading NYCFC to third place.
And in the West, Jesus Ferreira and Julian Araujo shined as expected.
Here are the most influential young figures of the 2022 MLS season…
For the first time since entering the league in 2020, Inter Miami have made the playoffs. It’s a huge achievement for Phil Neville’s side, getting the Decision Day victory over the Columbus Crew to clinch the final Eastern Conference ticket into the postseason.
Bryce Duke was an integral part of the south Florida side throughout the regular season, lifting the team up when needed. He managed one goal and seven assists this season, connecting with the attack to inspire several necessary victories. After three seasons with the Herons, Duke has finally found his place on the team.
Kone shocked many throughout the 2022 MLS campaign. He went from an obscure signing to an integral part of the thriving Eastern Conference team. CF Montreal managed second place in the table, with the help of his two goals and five assists.
The 20-year-old has been key in transforming the midfield, connecting with Victor Wanyama to inspire a lethal offense.
The backline rarely gets any praise, but Julian Araujo should. The young Mexican national team player is arguably the best attacking right-back in MLS, supplying a career-high nine assists for the Galaxy in 2022.
He’s been a consistent part of Greg Vanney’s starting 11, propelling the attack to success week-in and week-out.
NYCFC are back in the playoffs, thanks to the help of Talles Magno. The young player had big shoes to fill after the midseason departure of Taty Castellanos, but he did not shy away from the challenge.
The player embraced his role well, managing seven goals and 10 assists to lead his side to fourth on the Eastern Conference table. The stakes were always high for the reigning MLS champions, but Magno rose to the challenge.
Jesus Ferreira has been the one to watch. He stands as the most influential player of the season, managing 18 goals and six assists to inspire FC Dallas to third place on the Western Conference table.
Ferreira is the league’s top domestic scorer, constantly connecting with Paul Arriola to reach 82 goal scoring attempts in 2022. His creatively on the right foot has caused several issues for opposing goalkeepers and defenders.
His MLS performances have earned the player an international opportunity, as he prepares to be the USMNT’s number 9 in Qatar.
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