Ben Mines, at 17 years and 301 days, was the fifth youngest player scoring while making his MLS debut. (Keith Furman/FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)
When Red Bulls Homegrown Player Ben Mines made his professional debut in the 4-0 win over the Portland Timbers Saturday, he established himself among the youngest to make their mark on MLS history.
Mines was the fifth-youngest player in MetroStars/Red Bulls history to start a match, and then when he scored after just 18 minutes, he became the third-youngest in club history to score a goal.
On a league level, Mines became the 15th-youngest player to score in the league’s 23 seasons. Among players making their full debut, Mines was the fifth-youngest of all-time – the second-youngest making his first professional start.
Jack McBean is the youngest player in MLS history to score when playing his professional game as part of the first XI, when he hit the back of the net Oct. 23, 2011 vs. the Houston Dynamo.
| YOUNGEST PLAYERS TO SCORE ON DEBUT IN MLS HISTORY | ||
| Jesus Ferreira | 16 years, 161 days | 6/3/2017, DAL v RSL |
| Diego Fagundez | 16 years, 173 days | 8/6/2011, NE v CHV |
| Jack McBean * | 16 years, 312 days | 10/23/2011, LA @ HOU |
| Fuad Ibrahim | 16 years, 332 days | 7/12/2008, TOR @ CHI |
| Ben Mines * | 17 years, 301 days | 3/10/2018, NYR v POR |
| * — starter | ||
- Credit: Elias Sports Bureau
