Defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew have continued to provide early opportunities to young players.
Taha Habroune became the latest Crew 2 player to make the move to the first team, signing a homegrown contract on Wednesday. Habroune’s contract will run through the 2027 MLS season and includes a one-year option for 2028.
“Taha is a talented young player who has continued to improve since joining our Club five years ago. Signing a First Team contract is a testament to his efforts and our Club’s commitment to creating opportunities to advance along our player pathway,” said Columbus Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Taha is the first player to progress directly from the Academy to Crew 2 and now to the First Team, and we fully expect this trend to continue in the future based on the strong environment created by the leadership of Marc Nicholls, Corey Wray, Kelvin Jones, Dan Lock, and our entire Crew 2 and Crew Academy coaches and staff.”
Habroune signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Crew 2 in May 2023 and proceeded to make 20 appearances. He scored four goals and added three assists as Crew 2 reached their second-consecutive MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Internationally, Habroune represented the U.S. Under-17 men’s national team at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He has earned 11 caps with the U-17 squad to date, scoring four goals.
Here is a breakdown of all of the recent first-team signings:
Micah Burton signs with Austin FC
Last week, Austin FC announced the signing of Micah Burton to a four-year homegrown contract.
The 17-year-old lifted the MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2023, scoring two goals in 24 combined appearances for ATX II.
“I’m grateful to my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who has helped me to this point in my career,” said Burton. “To compete at the MLS level has been a goal of mine for a long time and I’ll continue to push myself each day.”
Burton is also a rising talent within U.S. Soccer as well after featuring at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup last year. He featured in all four of the U-17’s matches in Argentina and has scored five goals in 17 caps for the team.
He follows Owen Wolff as the second Austin FC academy player to sign a first-team contract.
Colorado Rapids sign goalkeeper Adam Beaudry
U.S. Under-17 men’s national team goalkeeper Adam Beaudry has also been rewarded with a homegrown contract of his own.
Beaudry signed a four-year deal with the Colorado Rapids, which includes two option years for 2028 and 2029. The young goalkeeper enjoyed a positive MLS NEXT Pro campaign in 2023 with Rapids 2, earning the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year award in both May and July.
“We have been very impressed by Adam’s work ethic and unwavering commitment to learning. His extensive experience on the youth international stage adds tremendous value to his skill set,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to seeing his continued development here at home with the club.”
He made 16 starts for Rapids 2 last season, posting three clean sheets and helping Erik Bushey’s men earn the No. 1 overall seed heading into the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
On the international level, Beaudry made three starts at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year for the United States.
Sounders add forward Braudílio Rodrigues on one-year deal
Braudílio Rodrigues will receive his first team opportunity with the Seattle Sounders in 2024.
Rodrigues signed an MLS contract with the Sounders, which includes option years for 2025 and 2026. The 24-year-old led the Tacoma Defiance with 17 goals during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, while also contributing four assists.
The Sounders acquired the college-protected period priority for Rodrigues in a trade with NYCFC. NYCFC received the Sounders’ natural third-round selection in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and also retain a sell-on percentage if Rodrigues is sold outside of the league.
The Sounders could also end up paying $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to NYCFC if certain performance-based metrics are achieved.
Before his move to MLS NEXT Pro, Rodrigues enjoyed a prolific collegiate career at Franklin Pierce University by tallying 31 goals and 25 assists in 45 matches over two seasons. After winning the Division II national title in 2022, he was named National Player of the Year.
"Braudílio has earned this opportunity and we’re pleased to welcome him to the first team,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said. “The entire Defiance staff did a tremendous job with his development last year and I look forward to seeing him work once preseason training begins."
NYCFC signs goalkeeper Alex Rando through 2027
Alex Rando also joined MLS’ growing list of homegrown players.
Rando signed a four-year contract of his own through 2027, NYCFC announced. The 22-year-old became NYCFC’s 14th all-time homegrown signing after spending the last two seasons with NYCFC II.
He has totaled 32 MLS NEXT Pro appearances to date, registering eight clean sheets.
“I am delighted that Alex has signed a First Team contract and continues his professional career with the Club,” Sporting Director David Lee said. “Alex has been training with our First Team regularly since he joined NYCFC II and signing this contract is a deserved next step to reward his development and potential as a goalkeeper. He has worked incredibly hard to improve his game with the help and guidance of both Danny Cepero and Rob Vartughian and we are looking forward to supporting him in the next stage of his career.”
He also previously played collegiate at the University of Virginia and for USL side Las Vegas Lights.
Inter Miami signs Tyler Hall, Israel Boatwright to respective deals
MLS NEXT Pro standouts Tyler Hall and Israel Boatwright have joined the Inter Miami first team ranks.
Both Hall and Boatwright signed respective homegrown deals after coming through the Inter Miami academy. Hall’s contract will run through the 2027 MLS season while Boatwright’s will conclude at the end of the 2026 campaign.
The 17-year-old Hall has made 29 MLS NEXT Pro appearances for Inter Miami II over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. On the international level, Hall captained the U.S. Under-17 men’s national team at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Argentina.
“Tyler has shown tremendous promise since he joined the Club years ago, and we’re very happy to see him fulfill the dream of every Academy player in making this step to a First Team contract,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He has proven himself to be a high-quality young player and a budding leader, and we are excited to continue his development at the MLS level.”
Boatwright, 18, made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in 2022 and his MLS debut in 2023. He has made 21 appearances to date for Inter Miami II, registering one goal and three assists. Internationally, he has received call-ups for the Dominican Republic U-20 and senior national teams.
He featured in all three matches at the 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the Dominican Republic.
“This is another sign of progress for our development pathway as we continue to emphasize the importance of cultivating South Florida’s local youth talent at Inter Miami,” said Henderson. “Israel has been with us since the Club’s inception and we’re proud to see him take this next step on his journey. We will continue to work with him and all of our young talents to help them find success at the First Team level.”
