Inter Miami tops MLS with five players on ’22 Under 22’ list, Diego Gomez ranked No. 1
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s three other high-priced stars dominate the headlines, but those who follow MLS closely know that in the shadow of those famous players is a band of youngsters who have been vital to the team’s success all season.
The league on Wednesday announced its annual 22 Under 22 list, highlighting the best young players across the league, and five of them are on the Miami roster, including top vote-getter Diego Gomez, the 21-year-old Paraguayan midfielder, who is expected to join English Premier League club Brighton in January for a transfer fee of $14 million.
The other four Miami players who made the list are: Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo, 21, who ranked fifth; U.S. Olympic team midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi of Key Biscayne, 19, who ranked sixth; Argentine defender Tomas Aviles, 20, who was 12th; and Honduran-American midfielder David Ruiz, the 20-year-old from Little Havana, who came in at No. 21.
It is the second consecutive year that Inter Miami had the most players on the list.
The players were voted on by a panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass Talent and select media. Gomez joins Miguel Almiron (2017, Atlanta United) as the only Paraguayan players to be named to a 22 Under 22 team.
“This recognition is a symbol of the hard work and dedication our young players display every day as they make a mark on this team and in this league,” said Inter Miami chief of soccer and sporting director Chris Henderson. “We’re proud of all of our up-and-coming talents on this list, as well as the many others who are making a difference at Inter Miami.”
Miami clinched the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best regular season record and is the top seed for the MLS playoffs.
Gomez received the news on a surprise emotional video call from his family in the rural Paraguayan town of Colonia de Mburicareta, where he grew up plowing fields, feeding cows and harvesting sugar cane.
The 21-year-old’s work rate as an attacker and defender have been key to Inter Miami’s success. Gómez leads all MLS players in points per match (2.39), with the team unbeaten in 17 of the 18 matches he’s played (13-1-4 record).
Gomez also has the third-best plus-minus per 90 minutes (+1.43) in MLS for qualifying players; this means that when Gomez has been on the field, Miami has an average goal differential of +1.43 per 90 minutes this season. He has scored three goals with seven assists.
Gomez has been a standout for Paraguay’s national team as the most valuable player and top scorer of the Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament before wearing the captain’s armband at 2024 Paris Olympics. He has also played for the senior team and scored a game-winning goal against Brazil in World Cup qualifiers.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino is proud to see Gomez make the leap to Europe.
“Sooner or later, this was going to happen,” Martino said. “In a year and a half with us he has demonstrated his quality. I think that particular Premier League club [Brighton] would be a good fit for him. I hope he goes; he is a player who has a very good present, and a chance for an impressive future. In a way, him leaving is another accomplishment for our team.”
Miami’s other rising talents have also made an impact.
Redondo, son of legendary midfielder Fernando Redondo, has bolstered the midfield, scored three goals and had two assists in 16 games.
Cremaschi, who came up through Inter Miami’s academy, is the highest-ranked teenager on the list. He has scored three goals and added three assists in 21 games and was the youngest player on the USA Olympic team.
Aviles is the second-highest-ranked defender list and ranks ninth among MLS defenders in successful passes this year. He has started 25 games.
Ruiz, like Cremaschi, is an Inter Miami Academy product. He has played 28 games with one goal and three assists. He has become a key player for the Honduran national team and scored for Los Catrachos in September against Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The rest of the 22 Under 22: Diego Luna (21, Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (21, Philadelphia Union), Brian Gutierrez (21, Chicago Fire), Obed Vargas (19, Seattle Sounders), Quinn Sullivan (20, Philadelphia Union), Jalen Neal (21, LA Galaxy), Esmir Bajraktarevic (19, New England Revolution), Daniel Edelman (21, New York Red Bulls), Chris Brady (20, Chicago Fire), Nathan Saliba (20, CF Montreal), Kevin Kelsy (20, FC Cincinnati), Julian Aude (21, LA Galaxy), Owen Wolff (19, Austin FC), Cavan Sullivan (15, Philadelphia), David Martinez (18, LAFC), Christian McFarlane (17, NYCFC), Payton Miller (16, New England Revolution).
Inter Miami is off this week for the FIFA break and plays the home season finale Oct. 19 against New England. With a win, Miami will break the MLS points record (73), set by the Revolution in 2021. Miami has 71 points entering the game.
This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM.