ShareA 19-year-old wonderkid is lighting up Major League Soccer this season, leading to calls for a call-up to Mauricio Pochettino’s USA squad.By Graham RuthvenZavier Gozo’s best moment in Major League Soccer came on Saturday. Fed the ball on the edge of the box, the Real Salt Lake teenager took a touch and lasered a volley across goal and into the far corner of the Sporting KC net. It was a strike that highlighted the talent of a special 19-year-old.In just six appearances for RSL this season, Gozo has registered two goals and two assists. His other goal in an away victory over Atlanta United was also a special strike, bending a finish home with his left foot having cut inside off the right wing with ease. The extraordinary is becoming ordinary for one the best young players in MLS.Gozo’s goal vs. Sporting KCGozo wasn’t an unknown coming into the 2026 season. The teenager played 1,881 minutes for Real Salt Lake in MLS last year, firmly establishing himself in the rotation for regular minutes. Gozo was also part of the USA team that made a run to the quarter-finals of the 2025 U20 World Cup.This season, though, the youngster born to an Ivorian father and American mother with the middle name Didier in honour of Didier Drogba has taken a big step forward in his development. Gozo is now a reliable difference-maker destined for even bigger and better things in the near future.A place in the US men’s national team squad for the 2026 World Cup would certainly constitute something bigger and better. While Gozo has yet to be capped at senior level, many are now calling for the teenager to be included as a wildcard by Mauricio Pochettino for this summer’s tournament.In terms of his profile as a player, Gozo would give the USA something they otherwise lack. Besides Christian Pulisic, Pochettino doesn’t have many wide options capable of beating a man on the dribble and getting into space in quick transition and this is exactly the sort of player Gozo is.Gozo’s early career player traits compared with players in similar leaguesGozo is leading RSL for successful dribbles per 90 (1.7) this season. He has also created more chances (11) than any other Real Salt Lake player, highlighting his natural inventive qualities. Pochettino has surely taken a look at the 19-year-old and pondered what he could offer the USMNT.The odds are against Gozo receiving a World Cup call-up. He wasn’t included on the USMNT roster for the recent friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, meaning Gozo would be entering Pochettino’s set-up for this summer’s tournament completely cold. It would be a bold decision by the Argentine.Pochettino, however, has made bold decisions as USMNT boss before. He used Christian Pulisic as a number nine against Portugal when few predicted he would. He has called more 60 players into the national team since taking over in September 2024. Pochettino could produce one more surprise by taking a chance on Gozo.Whether or not he features at the 2026 World Cup, Gozo is set for the big time. Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid have already been linked with the 19-year-old who could be the next homegrown talent to make the move to Europe from MLS. Real Salt Lake fans should enjoy watching Gozo while they can.“He’s nowhere near the final product he will become,” said RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni about Gozo. “He’s a willing learner and often when you have young players come into the first team they think they’ve already made it. He has the character to continue learning and I have great joy working with guys who are willing to listen.”Many believed Diego Luna would be the next RSL youngster to come off the conveyor belt at America First Field. The attacking midfielder is a good bet to be part of Pochettino’s World Cup squad and has been of interest to Celta Vigo and Espanyol in the past. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Luna finally moves on this summer.Gozo was being developed as Luna’s natural successor, but he now looks to be the talent with the higher ceiling. Gozo is so special that Mastreoni has gone to extraordinary lengths to fit him into his lineup as a right-sided wing back. The 19-year-old doesn’t have the defensive instincts for that to be his long-term position, but RSL needed a way to get him on the field.There will be more moments of brilliance by Gozo in MLS this season. Sitting fourth in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake have started the year well and boast one of the most exciting forward lines in the league, of which Gozo is a part of. The number of eyes on the 19-year-old will only increase.(Images from IMAGO)You can follow every game from MLS on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.A 19-year-old wonderkid is lighting up Major League Soccer this season, leading to calls for a call-up to Mauricio Pochettino’s USA squad.By Graham RuthvenZavier Gozo’s best moment in Major League Soccer came on Saturday. Fed the ball on the edge of the box, the Real Salt Lake teenager took a touch and lasered a volley across goal and into the far corner of the Sporting KC net. It was a strike that highlighted the talent of a special 19-year-old.In just six appearances for RSL this season, Gozo has registered two goals and two assists. His other goal in an away victory over Atlanta United was also a special strike, bending a finish home with his left foot having cut inside off the right wing with ease. The extraordinary is becoming ordinary for one the best young players in MLS.Gozo’s goal vs. Sporting KCGozo wasn’t an unknown coming into the 2026 season. The teenager played 1,881 minutes for Real Salt Lake in MLS last year, firmly establishing himself in the rotation for regular minutes. Gozo was also part of the USA team that made a run to the quarter-finals of the 2025 U20 World Cup.This season, though, the youngster born to an Ivorian father and American mother with the middle name Didier in honour of Didier Drogba has taken a big step forward in his development. Gozo is now a reliable difference-maker destined for even bigger and better things in the near future.A place in the US men’s national team squad for the 2026 World Cup would certainly constitute something bigger and better. While Gozo has yet to be capped at senior level, many are now calling for the teenager to be included as a wildcard by Mauricio Pochettino for this summer’s tournament.In terms of his profile as a player, Gozo would give the USA something they otherwise lack. Besides Christian Pulisic, Pochettino doesn’t have many wide options capable of beating a man on the dribble and getting into space in quick transition and this is exactly the sort of player Gozo is.Gozo’s early career player traits compared with players in similar leaguesGozo is leading RSL for successful dribbles per 90 (1.7) this season. He has also created more chances (11) than any other Real Salt Lake player, highlighting his natural inventive qualities. Pochettino has surely taken a look at the 19-year-old and pondered what he could offer the USMNT.The odds are against Gozo receiving a World Cup call-up. He wasn’t included on the USMNT roster for the recent friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, meaning Gozo would be entering Pochettino’s set-up for this summer’s tournament completely cold. It would be a bold decision by the Argentine.Pochettino, however, has made bold decisions as USMNT boss before. He used Christian Pulisic as a number nine against Portugal when few predicted he would. He has called more 60 players into the national team since taking over in September 2024. Pochettino could produce one more surprise by taking a chance on Gozo.Whether or not he features at the 2026 World Cup, Gozo is set for the big time. Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid have already been linked with the 19-year-old who could be the next homegrown talent to make the move to Europe from MLS. Real Salt Lake fans should enjoy watching Gozo while they can.“He’s nowhere near the final product he will become,” said RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni about Gozo. “He’s a willing learner and often when you have young players come into the first team they think they’ve already made it. He has the character to continue learning and I have great joy working with guys who are willing to listen.”Many believed Diego Luna would be the next RSL youngster to come off the conveyor belt at America First Field. The attacking midfielder is a good bet to be part of Pochettino’s World Cup squad and has been of interest to Celta Vigo and Espanyol in the past. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Luna finally moves on this summer.Gozo was being developed as Luna’s natural successor, but he now looks to be the talent with the higher ceiling. Gozo is so special that Mastreoni has gone to extraordinary lengths to fit him into his lineup as a right-sided wing back. The 19-year-old doesn’t have the defensive instincts for that to be his long-term position, but RSL needed a way to get him on the field.There will be more moments of brilliance by Gozo in MLS this season. Sitting fourth in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake have started the year well and boast one of the most exciting forward lines in the league, of which Gozo is a part of. The number of eyes on the 19-year-old will only increase.(Images from IMAGO)You can follow every game from MLS on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.