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The 10 youngest goalscorers in MLS history
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 9 Oct 2025 15:06 BST
- 4 min read
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Freddy Adu is the youngest ever goalscorer in Major League Soccer history and his record is extremely unlikely to ever be broken.
The former wonderkid was just 14 years, 10 months and 15 days old when he scored his first MLS goal for DC United during a 3-2 loss to New York Red Bulls back in April 2004.
‘The next Pele’ soon became the highest-paid player in the entire MLS, however his career nosedived following a move to Benfica in 2007 and he ultimately failed to live up to his enormous potential.
Current ETV
Julian Hall
F (C)
New York RB
Julian Hall
F (C)
New York RB
ETV Range
€1.7M - €2.6M
The second-youngest goalscorer in MLS history is Julian Hall, who netted his first goal in the competition for New York Red Bulls against CF Montreal in June 2024. The American striker was just 16 years, 2 months and 27 days old when he came off the bench in the 87th minute and scored in the 88th minute to snatch a 2-2 draw.
Gianluca Busio is the third-youngest MLS goalscorer ever after netting for Sporting Kansas City during a 4-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in October 2018. He was only 16 years, 4 months and 20 days old at the time.
Jesus Ferreira was just 16 years, 5 months and 11 days old when he scored the final goal in FC Dallas’ 6-2 win against Real Salt Lake City in June 2017. As a result, he is in fourth place on this list.
The fifth-youngest goalscorer in the MLS is Diego Fagundez. He netted his debut goal in the competition for New England Revolution against CD Chivas aged 16 years, 5 months and 24 days back in 2011.
Meanwhile, Christian Torres is the sixth-youngest MLS goalscorer. The Mexican winger scored a 93rd minute equaliser for LAFC against Portland Timbers in 2020 at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 4 days.
16-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN TORRES IN STOPPAGE TIME TO EQUALIZE
What a time to score your first goal. #PORvLAFC pic.twitter.com/lad6vk8jPa— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2020
Santino Quaranta is seventh, after scoring for DC United versus Columbus Crew at 16 years, 7 months and 5 days in May 2001, while Eddie Gaven is eighth. The ex-USA international’s first MLS goal for New York Red Bulls was a 99th minute winner against DC United in 2003. He was 16 years, 8 months and 10 days old.
George Bello scored his first MLS goal for Atlanta aged 16 years, 8 months and 14 days in October 2018 and he is ninth on this list.
The 10th-youngest MLS goalscorer of all time is Jack McBean. He scored for LA Galaxy against Houston Dynamo in 2011 at 16 years, 10 months and 9 days old.
The 10 youngest goalscorers in MLS history
| Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Freddy Adu | DC United | 14y 10m 15d |
| 2. Julian Hall | New York Red Bulls | 16y 2m 27d |
| 3. Gianluca Busio | Sporting Kansas | 16y 4m 20d |
| 4. Jesus Ferreira | FC Dallas | 16y 5m 11d |
| 5. Diego Fagundez | New England Revolution | 16y 5m 24d |
| 6. Christian Torres | LAFC | 16y 6m 4d |
| 7. Santino Quaranta | DC United | 16y 7m 5d |
| 8. Eddie Gaven | New York Red Bulls | 16y 8m 10d |
| 9. George Bello | Atlanta | 16y 8m 14d |
| 10. Jack McBean | LA Galaxy | 16y 10m 9d |
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