While the Premier Development League Top Prospects list and Top College Prospects list highlight those players nearing the jump to the professional level, many young athletes compete in the PDL in the early stages of their careers, seeking to establish themselves as top up-and-coming talents.

The PDL Top Under-20 Players lists will highlight those players at each position who have shown themselves to be among the league’s rising stars. Over four days, the top goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards under the age of 20 (as of July 15, 2018) will be honored.

Monday, Aug. 27: Goalkeepers
Tuesday, Aug. 28: Defenders
Wednesday, Aug. 29: Midfielders
Thursday, Aug. 30: Forwards
Friday, Aug. 31: Recap

Goalkeeper can be an exceptionally difficult position to break through as a young player. With just one on the field at any given time and only two or three on a roster, young goalkeepers must be exceptional talents to earn valuable minutes between the posts.

Standing out this season were three goalkeepers who helped lead their team beyond the regular season and into the playoffs. In Des Moines, the Menace relied on young Carlos Mercado - an incoming freshman at Incarnate Word and FC Dallas academy product - to lead them all the way to the Central Conference Championship match. Mercado appeared in eight matches for the Menace, allowing just three goals, making 21 saves and recording four clean sheets, all while just 18 years old.

He’s joined by another pair of goalkeepers born in 1998 in the SIMA Aguilas’ Chase Vosvick and Brazos Valley Cavalry F.C.’s Pedro Medrano. Vosvick appeared in five matches for one of the league’s top defenses, recording three clean sheets and allowing just three goals while making 21 saves - taking the Aguilas to the Southern Conference Championship match. Medrano was equally impressive while guiding Cavalry F.C. to the club’s first division title and playoff appearance, allowing only seven goals and earning three clean sheets in nine appearances, adding 13 saves to his tally.

Here’s a look at nine young goalkeepers who impressed in the 2018 PDL season.

Check back tomorrow for the next installment, where we examine the top young defenders from the 2018 PDL season!

FULL TOP U20 PLAYERS LIST