MLS NEXT today announced the selection of Atlanta United U-16 Academy defender Oluwaseyitan “Seyi” Fakiyesi and midfielder David Ilevbare for the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate next month. The MLS NEXT All-Star roster will showcase the future soccer stars of North America in an East vs. West showdown that will take place at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, N.C., home of Crown Legacy FC, on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET. This is the fourth time in its five iterations that Atlanta has had at least two players selected for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

Fakiyesi, a United States U-16 youth international, was a key part of the 2026 Atlanta United U-16 Academy side that reached the MLS NEXT Cup final. His performances in that tournament, including a free-kick goal in the final, earned him a selection to the Homegrown Division Best XI. 

Ilevbare, who has also appeared as a United States U-16 youth international, started every MLS NEXT Cup match for the U-16 team alongside Fakiyesi.

Both players have made professional appearances for Atlanta United 2, debuting on the same day. Fakiyesi, who started at left back in the opening game at New England Revolution II on March 1, became the youngest-ever Atlanta United 2 player to start a match. Ilevbare, who appeared as a second-half substitute, became the fourth-youngest player to make an appearance for Atlanta United 2.

“We all share Seyi and David’s excitement in achieving this incredible honor,” said Director of Methodology Javier Peréz. “Both players were standout individuals for our U-16 side this season and are tremendous representatives of the Atlanta United pathway. Our Academy is extremely proud and looks forward to continued success in their young careers.”

The 44 MLS NEXT All-Star selections will be integrated into MLS All-Star week activities and will face off in an East vs. West format. The players were selected following the conclusion of the 2025/26 regular season and 2026 MLS NEXT Cup. The 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate will be played on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, N.C. Fans can register for free tickets here or stream on the MLS YouTube channel.

There are plenty of talents to track, like D.C. United midfielder Oscar Avilez and Columbus Crew’s Jamil Danjaji. With that, here is the full list below:


East Roster
 

Head Coach: Jordan Melia (Charlotte FC)
 

Player
 

Team
 

Birth Year
 
David Ilevbare
 
Atlanta United
 
2010
 
Seyi Fakiyesi
 
Atlanta United
 
2010
 
Amadou Han
 
Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen
 
2008
 
Daniel Brown
 
Charlotte FC
 
2011
 
Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz
 
Charlotte FC
 
2010
 
Christopher Morales
 
Chicago Fire FC
 
2010
 
Connor Dale
 
FC Cincinnati
 
2010
 
Dominick Lester
 
FC Cincinnati
 
2010
 
Jamil Danjaji
 
Columbus Crew
 
2010
 
Myles Johnson
 
Columbus Crew
 
2010
 
Oscar Avilez
 
D.C. United
 
2010
 
Marcellus Singleton II
 
Metropolitan Oval Academy
 
2010
 
Levi Williams
 
Inter Miami CF
 
2010
 
William Karras
 
CF Montréal
 
2010
 
Liam Stribling
 
Nashville SC
 
2010
 
Logan Azar
 
New England Revolution
 
2010
 
Jacob Bradley
 
Red Bull New York
 
2010
 
Dylan Lawlor
 
New York City Football Club
 
2010
 
Caleb Trombino
 
Orlando City SC
 
2009
 
Abdoulaye Diop
 
Philadelphia Union
 
2010
 
Sammy Gallego
 
Philadelphia Union
 
2010
 
Niko Brodar
 
Toronto FC
 
2010
 

West Roster
 

Head Coaches: Ethan O’Neill and Matt Dorman (Seattle Sounders FC)
 

Player
 

Team
 

Birth Year
 
Clayton Glynn
 
Austin FC
 
2010
 
Ezra VanCleave
 
Barça Residency Academy
 
2010
 
Greyson Codjoe
 
Colorado Rapids
 
2010
 
Benjamin Flowers
 
FC Dallas
 
2011
 
Brogan Fitzsimons
 
Houston Dynamo FC
 
2010
 
Matthew Arana
 
Houston Dynamo FC
 
2010
 
Luca Antongirolami
 
Sporting Kansas City
 
2010
 
Alessio Benedetti
 
LA Galaxy
 
2010
 
Jaiden Paz
 
LA Galaxy
 
2010
 
Abraham Prado
 
Los Angeles Football Club
 
2010
 
Benjamin Failla
 
Los Angeles Football Club
 
2009
 
Max Harwood
 
Minnesota United FC
 
2010
 
Kellen Tamblyn
 
Portland Timbers
 
2010
 
Easton Wilson
 
Real Salt Lake
 
2010
 
Kellen Poll
 
Real Salt Lake
 
2010
 
Rocky Rommel
 
San Jose Earthquakes
 
2010
 
Basil Kuprishov
 
Seattle Sounders FC
 
2010
 
Cristopher Batiz
 
Seattle Sounders FC
 
2011
 
Blake Wilson
 
St. Louis CITY SC
 
2010
 
Drew Dowling
 
St. Louis CITY SC
 
2010
 
Daniel Carmona
 
Total Football Academy
 
2010
 
Manav Badwal
 
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
 
2010
 

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