MLS Season is just days away and the past offseason was a whirlwind that saw some rather impressive player movement where clubs in the league sold some key young players to impressive European teams.Even before the outstanding sales of Tyler Adams to RB Leipzig and Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich, the league was trending this way. Jack Harrison left NYCFC a little over a year ago and is currently a big part of Leeds United’s promotional playoff push while on loan from Manchester City. Chris Richards was sold to Bayern from FC Dallas after an impressive loan.Based on the preseason, comments from coaches stating a desire to play younger players, along with the high level of talent from the U.S. youth national teams, the 2019 season looks promising for a an impressive number of U.S. youth internationals.Last year saw Philadelphia’s centerback duo of Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty earn over 2000 minutes to help the club push towards the playoffs. The same could be said for Real Salt Lake’s Brooks Lennon and FC Dallas right back Reggie Cannon who also became established last year.Leaving those players out, here are 20 players to watch in 2019 who could make the transition to becoming established players for their clubs. All are eligible (or soon to be eligible) for United States youth national teams at either the U-17, the U-20, or the U-23 level.Will all of them succeed this year? No. But if a majority or even half do, then it will be a good year because there will also be U.S. youth national team-eligible players who are not on this list who surprise.Paxton Pomykal, 19, enjoyed a breakout performance at the recent U-20 CONCACAF tournament where he was one of the team’s best players. When various players from that U-20 team (along with the those at the recent U-20 January camp) were interviewed, virtually all singled Pomykal as a player who stood out.Thus far in preseason, Pomykal has played well for FC Dallas and he seems set for playing time to start the season. With former FC Dallas academy director Luchi Gonzalez now the head coach, it is not unreasonable to think that Pomykal could hit 2000 minutes for Dallas this although he will miss significant time at the U-20 World Cup (and possible U-23 camps if Dallas releases him).Pomykal is certainly trending in the right direction for both club and country.George Bello, 17, is one of the top youth prospects in American soccer and his development is even more important because he plays a true position of need. He started the team’s CONCACAF Champions League opener but probably won’t be a regular starter for Atlanta during the season – which is fine.The key questions is how Bello adjusts over the course of the season and whether or not he can seize the starting spot. New manager Frank DeBoer ran out a 3-4-3 in the Champions League and it didn’t work out and Bello looked lost at times.Hitting 2000 minutes seems unlikely but if Bello can emerge in the second half of the season, that would be impressive (and likely hurt his chances of playing at the U-17 World Cup since that tournament takes place during the MLS playoffs).Djordje Mihailovic, 20, has a lot of momentum heading into the season after playing for the U.S. national team at January camp – where he earned two starts. Chicago did not have a great offseason but could exceed expectations if players like Mihailovic exceed expectations.Mihailovic has a lot of talent but lost most of the 2018 season while recovering from a torn ACL. He is still shaking off rust but once he gets back into form, he could be a surprise player in the league. Earning 2000 minutes seems likely at this point and the Florida-born, Illinois-raised No. 10 should also be an important part of the U.S. U-23 team for Olympic qualifying.As one of the few forwards on this list, Jesus Ferreira, 18, has a lot going for him heading into 2019. He played very well for FC Dallas in preseason and will be playing under his former academy coach in Luchi Gonzalez, who will know how to use him.Internationally, Ferreira is still a question mark. U.S. U-20 head coach Tab Ramos told ASN that Ferreira played well in the team’s January camp but his citizenship is still not yet complete. So it will be a race against time to have him eligible for the U.S. U-20 World Cup time.But regardless, even if that falls apart, he could factor into the U.S. U-23 team if he plays well for Dallas this season. Given that his father was a former regular with the Colombian national team, there is also the potential that program shows interest in Ferreira if he plays well.2000 minutes will be very hard for Ferreira as he will likely be an attacking option off the bench for Dallas. But he looks ready for this level and has a lot of talent. He will get chances, now it’s up for him to make the most of it.Chris Durkin, 18, earned about 1500 minutes for DC United last year across all competitions – but the problem is that most of those minutes were front loaded in the early part of the season. Once Russell Canouse returned from injury, his minutes fell off.Generally, Durkin is in a three way battle with Canosue and Venezuelan international Junior Moreno for two spots on the field. But Durkin could still the field. Canouse has an injury history and Moreno will miss games due to international involvement. If Durkin shows progress in the minutes he gets, he has the ability to bump Canouse or Moreno out of the starting spot. With that said, competition could bring out the best in Durkin.Hitting 2000 minutes will be tough but possible. He is very likely to make the U.S. U-20 World Cup team which could pull him away for a month.As a key member of the U.S. U-20 team, Servania has shown himself to be a player with an upside. Like many young players at FC Dallas, he will have the chance to play under a familiar face with Luchi Gonzalez.

Brandon Servania’s opening for for the U-20s was very nice. Important goal in World Cup qualifying to give the US a 1-0 lead over T&T. Now 2-0 pic.twitter.com/aWDo5raskv — Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 6, 2018