Every fall, Major League Soccer’s 22 Under 22 list sparks the same debate. What matters more: What a young player is, or what he might become? Do we reward the raw teenager whose ceiling looks limitless, or the 20-year-old who’s already proven he can drive winning soccer week after week?

About six or seven years ago, I finally came down on the latter's side – and this year is no different. Production at the MLS (or national team) level, not just promise, is my great filter, because as intoxicating as potential is, it’s also speculative. And for every prospect who fulfills it, a dozen never quite make the leap.

So this list, for me, is less about dreaming on who might command an eight-figure transfer in three years and more about recognizing who is already helping MLS teams win right no

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