Sounders forward Jordan Morris, Union defender Keegan Rosenberry and NYCFC's Jack Harrison have started to establish themselves as the cream of this current crop of first-year players.
There has been criticism leveled at Sounders rookie Jordan Morris, some of it justified and some of it not, most of the bile generated by wider frustrations with a losing season. Morris still needs to work on his left foot, for one, and his ultimate ceiling as is unclear as it was when he made his professional debut.
And yet, if the season ended today near its midpoint, Morris would likely be named MLS Rookie of the Year.