Five under 25: Minnesota United's potential young difference-makers

Minnesota United's youth movement has 10 players under the age of 25 on its current 28-man roster, including these five most prominently.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane

Position: Forward. Height: 6-0. Age: 22. Hometown: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

He's No. 21 for the Loons and signed with them when he was 21 in January 2022. He has played nine games for his South African national team and scored four times, including a two-goal game in a friendly victory over Mozambique in November. He has scored two goals in 29 games with the Loons.

Mender Garcia

Position: Forward. Height: 5-10. Age: 24. Hometown: Tumaco, Colombia

He has played up front on both wings, but both Garcia and coach Adrian Heath foresee Garcia playing center forward, perhaps with another striker such as Luis Amarilla or Robin Lod. He has scored one goal in nine MLS games played since arriving last August.

Joseph Rosales

Position: Midfielder. Height: 5-11. Age: 22 Hometown: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The Loons tried him out on loan late in the 2021 season and liked him enough to obtain him on loan from his Panamanian club after the 2022 season. He's looking for his first MLS goal after appearing in 30 games, eight of them as a starter.

Cameron Dunbar

Position: Forward. Height: 5-4. Age: 20. Hometown: Carson, Calif.

Acquired by trade from LA Galaxy in November, he has already played 18 MLS games before his 21st birthday. "He can run the ball," Heath said. "He can dribble. He has an eye for the goal. He has two really good feet and can get a shot off really early."

Mikael Marques

Position: Center back. Height: 6-0. Age: 21. Hometown: Marsta, Sweden

Signed last month, he lived in both Brazil and Sweden growing up and speaks four or five different languages. Heath praises Marques' athleticism, "really nice feet" and intellect. "We know he's got all the tools to be a really good top-class defender," Heath said.