MLS sees South America as a factory for revealing talents to the football world. New promises emerge on the continent each season, only to be quickly sold to other markets.
It’s becoming customary for North American clubs to hire talents from South America to stand out in the league and then be resold to European clubs. With that said, Território MLS has identified 8 South American names up to 25 years old for you to watch in 2024.
It’s worth noting that this list includes both players with less hype and those who have just arrived in MLS, so for that reason, you won’t find: Thiago Almada, Evander, Santi Rodriguez, Julián Carranza, Talles Magno, Facundo Torres, Diego Rossi, Cucho Hernandez, Álvaro Barreal, and Alan Velasco in this list.
Possible MLS highlights in 2024:
Pablo Ruiz (RSL)
We begin the list with Argentine midfielder Pablo Ruiz, who is 25 years old. At Real Salt Lake, the player has a crucial role, being a starter for the team and playing various positions, including midfield, defensive midfield, and even left-back.
A product of San Lorenzo, Ruiz has been in MLS since 2018, and last season, he scored four goals and provided four assists in 17 games for RSL, considering only league play. In addition to contributing to the attack, the Argentine also helps defensively, averaging one interception, 2.5 tackles, and seven balls recovered per game.
Ruiz doesn’t shoot much but contributes to creating chances, having created seven big chances with an average of 2 key passes per game. He completed 86% of his passes, 70% of long balls, and 69% of “difficult” passes. Despite being young, he’s one of the most experienced names in MLS and a reference on his team; the expectation is that he’ll return to top form after recovering from an injury that sidelined him for over six months.
Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy)
A product of Vasco da Gama, Gabriel Pec arrives at Los Angeles Galaxy with high expectations. He is the most expensive signing in the history of the Californian team, costing $10 million, and is part of the restructuring of the MLS’s most successful franchise.
At 23 years old, Pec is a right-winger with great speed and dribbling ability, often playing on both sides of the field, either on the right or cutting in from the left. During 2023, he scored eight goals and provided four assists in 37 games.
He averaged almost two shots per game, created ten big chances for teammates, and completed 83% of his passes. Pec isn’t known for his physical strength, so he relies on dribbling, completing 50% of his dribbles last season. By improving his finishing, he becomes a dangerous weapon for Galaxy in attack.
Cristian Olivera (LAFC)
If Galaxy has Gabriel Pec, the black and gold side of Los Angeles has 21-year-old Uruguayan Cristian Olivera. Signed in the middle of 2023 from Almería for $4.3 million, the right-winger starts 2024 with high expectations.
With call-ups to his country’s senior national team, Olivera played only 16 games in the United States last season, scoring two goals. While these numbers aren’t remarkable, it’s worth remembering that the Uruguayan joined midway through the season, giving him little time to adapt to soccer in the States.
With a preseason and better chemistry with his LAFC teammates, he’s poised to get more minutes under Cherundolo in 2024. Olivera is an attacking winger who tends to go to the byline and has good finishing abilities (half of his shots in 2023 were on target).
Guilherme Biro (Austin)
Another Brazilian newcomer to MLS in 2024 is Guilherme Biro, who arrived in Austin after shining at Mirassol in the last edition of the Brazilian Serie B and contributed to five goals.
One of his characteristics is his free-kick ability, and at the São Paulo club, he was one of the designated takers, averaging at least one shot per game. Additionally, he was the 2nd left-back with the most passes completed in the league, with an 82% success rate, and the 2nd with the most interceptions per game.
In 29 games, he was named to the “team of the week” four times, recovering an average of 3 balls per game while completing 61% of attempted dribbles. Another quality of the Brazilian is his one-on-one duels; last season, he won 53% of his ball disputes and 61% of his aerial duels.
Daniel Pereira (Austin)
Teaming up with Biro at Austin, Venezuelan midfielder Daniel Pereira is another name to watch in 2024. Last season, he played 36 games and provided five assists, leading the team in the MLS.
Pereira also led the team in long balls, averaging three long passes per game. He’s also defensively sound, recovering 6 balls per game and averaging at least one tackle and interception.
He operates more centrally and wins 50% of his one-on-one duels. One point of concern is his discipline; he tends to pick up yellow cards frequently and can make a difference in crucial moments.
Pedro Vite (Vancouver)
Considered a gem of Ecuadorian football, attacking midfielder Pedro Vite is one of the most anticipated names for MLS in 2024. A product of the excellent Independiente Del Valle youth system, the youngster was bought by Vancouver Whitecaps in 2021 at 18.
He’s gradually earning a place in the Canadian team, and last season, he scored six goals and provided two assists in 45 games. Despite his small stature of only 1.66m, he’s starting to be called up to Ecuador’s senior national team. He recently participated in the Pre-Olympics for Paris, being one of the tournament’s standouts with four assists in four games.
Vite is a very technical and intelligent player, averaging almost 5 expected assists (xA) per game in MLS, meaning he creates 5 chances per game that could result in goals.
Pedro tends to be all over the field, not exaggeratedly or hastily, but due to his excellent game reading, he knows where and when to receive the ball. In my opinion, he needs to improve his physicality further.
Tomás Avile (Inter Miami)
One of the most promising defenders in MLS who deserves special attention in this new season is 20-year-old Argentine Tomás Avile from Inter Miami, who competed in the last U-20 World Cup. Avile came through the ranks of Racing and was signed by Messi’s team in mid-2023 for nearly $7 million. Despite his youth, the defender played 12 games, scored a goal, and provided an assist.
In an Inter Miami team with a fragile defensive system, Avile could be an essential piece to strengthen the sector if Tata Martino works well with the youngster. His stats per game include 1.7 interceptions, 2 tackles, 6 balls recovered, and 1 clearance.
Pedro De La Vega (Seattle Sounders)
Seattle Sounders’ big bet for 2024 is Pedro De La Vega. The right-winger, developed at Lanus, has long been considered a gem of Argentine football, but unfortunately, some injuries have hindered his development in the professional game.
At 23 years old, Pedro had a season with six goals and six assists in 40 games for the Grená club in Argentina. Despite his youthful appearance, he hides the talent of a skilled player.
He needs to improve his finishing. In the last Argentine Championship, he was one of the right-wingers with the most shots but also one of those who missed the target the most, with an average of 3 big chances missed. On the other hand, De La Vega created five big chances for his teammates. He was also the 2nd player with the most successful dribbles in the entire league, with almost 3 per game. He’s always shown talent; it’s time now to have a season with good individual numbers.
