MLSsoccer.com recently released the 75-player short list for their 2015 24 Under 24 which includes two dynamic Portland Timbers players: Forward Lucas Melano and defender Alvas Powell. The final list, MLSsoccer.com's annual look at the best emerging players in the league under the age of 24, will be announced on September 22.
The short list was selected by a preliminary panel of MLSsoccer.com editors and soccer media members across the U.S. and Canada, and then the larger panel rated the 75 players based on the following criteria:
Technical (first touch, dribbling, shooting, heading, etc.)
Soccer IQ (positioning, reading game, situational understanding, tactical awareness, etc.)
Physical Attributes (balance, agility, speed, endurance, strength, vertical leap, etc.)
Personality (attitude, marketability, media savviness, charisma, intangibles, etc.)
Potential (improvability, ceiling, national team potential, potential future transfer value, etc.)
The votes were tabulated to establish the final 24 players. The cut-off date for eligibility for this year's was October 25, the final day of the 2015 MLS regular season.
Melano, 22, came to Portland from Argentina's Lánus in August and has scored a goal and an assist in seven games in 2015.
Powell, 21, is among the league leaders in tackles (#2) and successful dribbles (#4).
Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe is a three-time 24 Under 24 member (2011, 2012, 2013) and was ranked #1 on the list in 2013.
For the full 2015 short list and more information on 24 Under 24, visit MLSsoccer.com.
