Five MLS Talents Flying Under the Radar Who Could Blow Up Before the Season's Over
Photo: FrontSport23, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Look, we all love talking about Lionel Messi's latest Inter Miami magic or Lorenzo Insigne's moments of Italian flair — but the real fun in following MLS is spotting the guys nobody's talking about yet. The ones who are quietly putting in the work, racking up numbers, and about to make the whole league sit up and notice.
Here at BongdaNet Today, we dig into the data, the tape, and the vibes so you don't have to. Here are five players you should have on your radar right now — before they become household names and everyone pretends they knew all along.
1. Cucho Hernandez — Columbus Crew
Okay, hear us out — Cucho isn't exactly unknown, but he's wildly underappreciated outside of Columbus. The Colombian striker has been one of the most electric attackers in the league for the past two seasons, and yet he barely gets mentioned in the same breath as the league's marquee forwards.
What makes him special? It's the combination of raw athleticism and creativity that you just don't see often in MLS. The guy pulls off acrobatic finishes that belong in a FIFA highlight reel, and his pressing intensity makes him a nightmare for defenders from the first whistle. He's the kind of player who can single-handedly change a match's momentum.
With Columbus building a squad that looks genuinely dangerous in 2024, Hernandez is positioned to have a season that finally forces the national conversation to include him. If you're not watching Crew matches on MLS Season Pass, it's time to fix that.
2. Caden Clark — New York Red Bulls
American soccer fans, pay close attention here. Caden Clark is the kind of homegrown story that makes you feel good about the direction of US soccer. The Nebraska-born midfielder came through the Red Bulls academy, had a stint at RB Leipzig in Germany, and has returned stateside with a maturity and technical quality that looks genuinely different from the average MLS central midfielder.
Clark's passing range is deceptive — he doesn't always grab the eye, but watch where the ball ends up after he touches it. He's also got a shooting habit from distance that goalkeepers hate. At just 21, he's still adding layers to his game, and Red Bulls' high-press system suits his energy perfectly.
If the USMNT is on your mind heading toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil, Clark is exactly the type of player Gregg Berhalter — or whoever's in charge — should be monitoring closely. Keep his name saved.
3. Riqui Puig — LA Galaxy
Yeah, we know — Riqui Puig played for Barcelona. That's not exactly anonymous. But in the MLS conversation, the little Spaniard has somehow slipped under the radar, overshadowed by bigger-name arrivals in the league. That's a mistake.
Puig is a genuine playmaker in the classic Spanish mold — quick feet, rapid decision-making, and an almost telepathic sense of where his teammates want the ball. He struggled to get regular minutes in Europe, but in MLS he's getting the platform he deserves, and the results are starting to show.
For Galaxy fans who've been patient through some frustrating seasons, Puig might be the creative hub around which a real title challenge can be built. Watch his through-ball numbers as the season progresses — they're quietly elite.
4. Xherdan Shaqiri — Chicago Fire
Before you say it — yes, Shaqiri has played in the Champions League and scored at World Cups. But in MLS? The guy is genuinely slept on. Chicago Fire hasn't been a glamour club in recent years, which means their players don't always get the spotlight they deserve.
Shaqiri's experience and technical ceiling are still a level above most of the league. When he's fit and motivated, he's the kind of winger who can embarrass defenders with a single touch and deliver crosses that strikers dream about. The Fire have been building something under their current setup, and Shaqiri could be the veteran presence that ties it all together.
If Chicago starts climbing the Eastern Conference table, Shaqiri will be a big reason why. Don't sleep on him just because the Fire haven't been must-watch TV recently.
5. Deiber Caicedo — Charlotte FC
Here's your true deep cut. Deiber Caicedo — no relation to Moisés — is a Colombian winger at Charlotte FC who has been quietly one of the most dangerous one-on-one players in the league. He's fast, direct, and has the kind of low center of gravity that makes him nearly impossible to knock off the ball when he's running at full speed.
Charlotte is still a young club finding its identity, but Caicedo has consistently been their most exciting attacking outlet. His crossing and cut-inside game give defenders two problems at once, and his work rate off the ball has improved significantly over the past year.
MLS scouts from bigger clubs are already watching. If Charlotte FC gets the right pieces around him, Caicedo could be the guy who puts the expansion club on the map — and if a bigger MLS side or a European club comes calling, don't be surprised.
Why This Matters for Your MLS Experience
Following MLS is so much more rewarding when you've got your own guys to root for beyond the obvious stars. These five players represent everything that makes the league genuinely interesting — a mix of proven talent finding a new home, American kids fulfilling their potential, and international players who haven't gotten their due credit yet.
The 2024 MLS season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Bookmark this list, watch a few matches featuring these guys, and enjoy the satisfaction of being ahead of the curve when everyone else starts talking about them in June.
That's what BongdaNet Today is here for — your daily edge on the beautiful game.
