Justin Ellis of Orlando City SC was named the second-ever MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year on Oct. 15, 2026, in recognition of his progress through the MLS player pathway and his U.S. Men’s National Team debut.
The 19-year-old forward advanced through MLS NEXT, MLS NEXT Pro and the Orlando City SC first team. The award recognizes a player who demonstrates success at multiple levels of the professional pathway, and it was voted on by MLS NEXT Pro club head coaches and chief soccer officers, league broadcasters and content team members.
Ellis excelled with Orlando City Academy and Orlando City B
Ellis established himself with Orlando City Academy during the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season. He scored 18 goals to win the 2025 U-19 MLS NEXT Golden Boot Award and was named the 2025 U-19 MLS NEXT MVP. Ellis also finished as the 2025 Generation adidas Cup’s top scorer while helping Orlando City Academy win the tournament for the first time.
He continued his development with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro. Ellis made 44 appearances and 29 starts from 2024 through 2026, recording 12 goals and eight assists. He signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Orlando City B on Feb. 13, 2025.
Ellis was named MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchweek 10 after recording two assists and one goal in Orlando City B’s 3-0 victory over Inter Miami CF II on May 17, 2025. Three days earlier, he made his MLS debut for Orlando City SC in a 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC. Orlando City SC signed Ellis as a Homegrown Player on Feb. 20, 2026.
Orlando City SC contributions continued in 2026
Ellis started 16 of 20 appearances for Orlando City SC during the 2026 MLS regular season. He played 1,318 minutes, scored one goal and recorded 10 assists. The 10 assists established a personal single-season record.
One of those assists came during Antoine Griezmann’s MLS debut on July 23, 2026. Ellis set up Griezmann’s first MLS goal and 300th career goal in the match. Griezmann’s MLS debut and the assist added another notable moment to Ellis’ first-team progression.
Ellis made an immediate U.S. Men’s National Team impact
Ellis received his first senior U.S. Men’s National Team call-up during the September-October 2026 FIFA window after previously representing the United States at the U-19 and U-17 levels. He was one of 13 uncapped players called in by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
Ellis started against Peru on Sept. 26, 2026, and scored after four minutes. The goal was the fastest scored in a debut appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the modern era. Ellis and fellow debutant Julian Hall both scored in their debuts against Peru, making them the first players since Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic on Jan. 18, 2025, to score in their U.S. Men’s National Team debuts.
Ellis scored again during the international window in a 1-0 victory over Canada on Oct. 6, 2026. Former Orlando City B teammate Alex Freeman assisted on the game-winning goal. The performances completed a rapid rise from the Orlando City Academy to the senior national team.
Other MLS NEXT Pro award finalists and winners
Charlotte FC’s Rodolfo Aloko and Portland Timbers’ Eric Izoita were the other finalists for the Pathway Player of the Year award. Osaze De Rosario of Tacoma Defiance and Seattle Sounders FC won the award in 2025. Ellis became the second recipient of the honor.
Atlanta United 2’s Arif Kovac won the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot with 20 goals. Cameron Dunbar won Playmaker of the Year after matching the league record with 13 assists.
Kovac and Dunbar were named to the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI alongside Goalkeeper of the Year Sam Joseph and Defender of the Year Jules Bery. The league’s 2026 MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
FSB Take
Ellis’ award reflects a documented progression through Orlando City Academy, Orlando City B, Orlando City SC and the U.S. Men’s National Team. His academy honors, MLS NEXT Pro production, 2026 first-team contributions and two international goals provide the foundation for the recognition.
For Orlando City SC, Ellis’ development represents a significant Florida connection to an award built around the professional player pathway. His 10 MLS assists and immediate national-team impact give the 19-year-old forward a strong platform entering the next stage of his career.
Source: Original report