The best young attacker in MLS just may be the Dynamo's Alberth Elis, according to the numbers.
Elis, who has 6 goals and 3 assists in 14 games played, is third among all players in MLS with .92 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minutes, behind New York City FC's David Villa and the LA Galaxy's Romain Alessandrini. Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas is also in the top 20, averaging .69 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90. The pair are two of six players age 23 and under who are in the top 20 players overall in that category.
Elis, who is just 21 years old, also leads MLS' U-23 contingent when it comes to the scoring chances he's getting and giving. His expected goals plus expected assists average per 90 minutes of .68 again is tops on the list, while Manotas (.59) is in the top four (more info on xG and xA here).
The young pair have combined with Erick Torres and Romell Quioto – themselves only 24 and 25, respectively – to produce the second-highest scoring offense in MLS this season.
