Major League Soccer today unveiled the full 2025 22 Under 22 class, highlighting the best young players across the league, with LAFC stars David Martínez and Nathan Ordaz being recognized for their excellent seasons. LAFC is the only club to land two or more players in the top 10 of the prestigious annual ranking with Martínez reaching No. 5 on the list and Ordaz close behind at No. 8.
This is the second consecutive year Martínez has been recognized as one of the league’s best young talents, clocking in at No. 19 in last season’s edition, while Ordaz, who is the eighth different LAFC player to be selected to the list, is making his first appearance.
Martínez joined LAFC as part of Major League Soccer’s U22 initiative in February 2024 from Venezuelan side Monagas SC. This season, he has recorded three goals and four assists in 27 MLS matches (12 starts) while also featuring in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup and Leagues Cup, in which he scored another three goals. Internationally, Martínez featured for Venezuela’s senior team as they attempted to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ordaz, the club’s most successful homegrown signing to date, joined the LAFC academy in 2016 and progressed through the ranks until enjoying a breakout campaign this year with five goals and five assists in 25 MLS matches (15 starts). The Encino, CA native, who began the year by scoring the winning goal in LAFC’s preseason friendly against Club América, has also scored in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and broke through into El Salvador’s senior national team as the country attempts to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The duo represents LAFC’s 11th and 12th selections to the 22 Under 22 list since the club began play in 2018. LAFC has had at least one player included in the 22 Under 22 ranking every season except for 2023 and has landed multiple players on the list three times: 2018, 2019 and 2025.
HISTORY OF LAFC SELECTIONS IN MLS 22-UNDER-22
2025: Nathan Ordaz (8), David Martínez (5)
2024: David Martínez (19)
2022: Kwadwo Opoku (9)
2021: Brian Rodríguez (4)
2020: Brian Rodríguez (2)
2019: Brian Rodríguez (4), Diego Rossi (1)
2018: Eduard Atuesta (16), Andre Horta (13), Latif Blessing (11), Diego Rossi (3)
Players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass talent and select media.
To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on October 18 and therefore must have been born after October 19, 2003. The all-time 22 Under 22 winners are below. Note: Prior to 2018, the list was known as the 24 Under 24.
