The first games of MLS Next Pro kick off this weekend, as MLS continues to tweak its approach to youth development.

MORE: MLS Next Pro Western Conference Players to Watch

Here is one player from each Eastern Conference team to know.

Chicago Fire II: Carlo Ritaccio

The central defender out of Akron should form a cornerstone of the Chicago Fire II back line. Left back Charlie Ostrem is one to watch as well as recent Homegrown signing Victor Bezerra out of Indiana.

FC Cincinnati 2: Stiven Jimenez

One of the team’s brightest prospects in the academy, Jimenez is still quite young, as he turns 15 later this year. Getting minutes earlier in the season is probably a stretch considering his youth, but Jimenez did spend preseason playing with the first team. So don’t be surprised to see him feature at some point this season.

Columbus Crew 2: Jacen Russell-Rowe

The Toronto FC Academy veteran joins the Crew’s MLS Next Pro squad, where he’ll look to take a big step forward. He’s flashed high end quality with at Maryland the past two seasons, although his freshman year was obviously severely impacted by the pandemic. Russell-Rowe played at the 2019 U17 World Cup, and surely will look to make the most of the opportunity.

Inter Miami II: Edison Azcona

If Azcona’s not getting opportunities on a team struggling for goals in MLS, he could be a very exciting player to watch in MLS Next Pro. He won’t be available in the opening weekend, as he was called up to the Dominican Republic national team. A talented player with the ball at his feet, showing consistency and excelling against full pros is the next step for him.

New England Revolution II: Noel Buck

The goal-scoring central midfielder was a mainstay with Revolution II last year, and signed a Homegrown contract at the start of the year. He’s one of the top U.S. prospects that should feature regularly in MLS pro.

NYCFC II: Nico Benalcazar

A center back that signed a Homegrown deal after spending three years at Wake Forest, Benalcazar will anchor the team’s back line. It will be interesting to see if NYCFC’s younger signings, Maximo Carrizo or Christian McFarlane, see time in this team or remain with the academy teams.

Orlando City B: Thomas Williams

The 17-year-old central defender signed with the team last summer, and is still waiting on a debut in MLS. Obviously, it’s a position that requires some patience in development, and Williams should slot straight into the back line in MLS Next Pro.

Philadelphia Union II: Bajung Darboe

While there are interesting players signed to the roster out of colleges, including Stefan Stojanovic (Georgetown) and Chris Donovan (Drexel), Darboe is a top MLS prospect that can't be far from turning pro. More of a wide forward than a classic 9, he's a dangerous player on and off the ball. Honing his consistency here will be a big opportunity, and he should get ample playing time with Philadelphia Union II.

Rochester NY FC: Raymond Drai

The wide attacker is still only a teenager, and joins the new setup in Rochester. He’s able to erase defenders off the dribble with ease in the youth level; like other young attacking players, he needs to be consistent and effective in the final third in order to stick. It will be an interesting test study in the pro pathway of MLS Next Pro and RNY FC for a player like Drai, who recently played at Orange County SC in the USL Championship.

Toronto FC II: Kobe Franklin

Some of Toronto FC’s longtime academy signings are finally getting a shot, with Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and Jayden Nelson earning minutes in 2022. It’s a final frontier of sorts, as they try and build a consistent platform from the academy to the first team. Franklin should be a key player at right back, as the former Canadian youth international is another U17 World Cup veteran in the league.