Major League Soccer announced today that forward David MartÃnez has been selected to the 2024 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR class highlighting the best young international and domestic players across the league. The 18-year-old Venezuelan international is 19th on the list. The 2024 22 Under 22 players were voted on by an expert panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass talent, and select media.
MartÃnez becomes the seventh LAFC player selected to the 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR list since 2018. LAFC has produced 10 MLS 22 Under 22 selections (seven players).
MartÃnez joined LAFC as part of Major League Soccer’s U22 initiative in February 2024 from Venezuelan side Monagas SC. He made his LAFC debut coming off the bench on March 2 vs. Real Salt Lake at America First Field. This season, MartÃnez has made 15 regular-season appearances (three starts) registering four goals and one assist in 363 minutes. He became the second-youngest player to score for LAFC in a regular-season game when he found the back of the net on March 30 against Colorado, and he is the youngest player in LAFC history to register an assist. MartÃnez is the first LAFC player 18 years of age or younger to register at least five goal contributions in a single season.
MartÃnez has played for the Venezuela U-17 and U-20 Youth National Teams and made his Senior National Team debut at 17 for Venezuela in 2023.
HISTORY OF LAFC SELECTIONS IN MLS 22-UNDER-22
2024: David MartÃnez (19)
2022: Kwadwo Opoku (9)
2021: Brian RodrÃguez (4)
2020: Brian RodrÃguez (2)
2019: Brian RodrÃguez (4), Diego Rossi (1)
2018: Eduard Atuesta (16), Andre Horta (13), Latif Blessing (11), Diego Rossi (3)
