ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Orlando City SC homegrown forward Justin Ellis has been selected to Major League Soccer’s 2026 22 Under 22 list, an annual recognition honoring the league’s top young domestic and international talent.
Since signing a first-team contract in February, Ellis has emerged as one of the league’s brightest young players. The 19-year-old has totaled 16 goal contributions (3g/13a) in 27 appearances across all competitions, including 21 starts, while his four game-winning assists lead Orlando City in MLS play this season.
A native of Wellington, Fla., Ellis earned his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team during the most recent international window and made an immediate impact. He scored four minutes into his international debut in a 4-1 victory over Peru at Inter.co Stadium on Sept. 26, marking the fastest goal by a USMNT debutant in the modern era. He followed that performance by scoring the game-winner in the United States' 1-0 win over Canada on Oct. 6.
Prior to signing a Homegrown contract ahead of the 2026 season, Ellis recorded eight goals and five assists in 41 appearances for Orlando City B across all competitions. The forward’s career has progressed through every stage of the Club's development pathway, first featuring for the Orlando City Academy before advancing to OCB and the First Team, recently being named the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year. During his time with the Academy, Ellis was named MLS NEXT MVP presented by Adidas and won the Golden Boot as the Lions captured their first Generation adidas Cup title in 2025.
Eligibility for the 2026 MLS 22 Under 22 list required players to be 21 years old or younger before Decision Day on Nov. 7, 2026, and therefore, must have been born after November 8, 2004. Selections were made by a voting panel that included MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS Season Pass talent and select media members.
To be eligible for voting, players had to remain 21 or younger before Decision Day on November 7, 2026, and therefore must have been born after November 8, 2004. Players were voted on by a panel of MLS coaches, general managers, sporting directors, MLS on Apple TV talent and select media.
Orlando City will host its penultimate home game of the regular season as it faces New York City FC this Saturday, Oct. 24, at Inter.co Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET; Tickets).
