Best Centre-Backs in the MLS (Dec 2025)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: MLS Centre-Backs 2022-23
Our database tracked 41 MLS Centre-Backs in the 2022-23 season, representing 23 clubs with a combined market value of €60.6M. The average market value for MLS Centre-Backs was €1.5M, with the average age at 29.5 years old.
The most valuable centre-back in the MLS was Adilson Malanda, worth €6.0M and played for Charlotte FC at 24 years old. The top 5 Centre-Backs averaged €3.9M in market value, including Enea Mihaj and Rob Holding.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked centre-back was Fallou Fall (21 years, St. Louis CITY SC, €3.0M), while the oldest was Tim Ream (38 years, Charlotte FC, €300K). Research shows Centre-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 6 Centre-Backs (15%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The MLS market for Centre-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2022-23 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in MLS
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 23 clubs with €60.6M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Centre-Backs
The MLS CB market shows 4 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (22 players, 54% of market). The 30+ age group holds the most value at €24.0M, averaging €1.1M per player.
Top Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
21-23 Years (1 players)
24-26 Years (8 players)
27-29 Years (10 players)
30+ Years (22 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 5 Centre-Backs (12% of players) control €19.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 2% of the MLS CB pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Centre-Backs
Among 23 MLS clubs, Atlanta United FC leads with 3 Centre-Backs worth €7.5M (averaging €2.5M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 56% of tracked Centre-Backs.
Atlanta United FC (3 Centre-Backs)
Charlotte FC (3 Centre-Backs)
Colorado Rapids (2 Centre-Backs)
Sporting Kansas City (3 Centre-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Adilson Malanda
Charlotte FC • 24 years old
€5.2M
€6.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €6.1M
54.7
Enea Mihaj
Atlanta United FC • 27 years old
€4.2M
€4.0M
-5.4%
Expected: €3.5M
48.8
Rob Holding
Colorado Rapids • 30 years old
€4.5M
€3.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.9M
47.5
Alán Montes
Sporting Kansas City • 25 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.9M
42.0
Paddy McNair
San Diego FC • 30 years old
€3.9M
€3.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.5M
41.9
Fallou Fall
St. Louis CITY SC • 21 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.3M
41.7
Malte Amundsen
Columbus Crew • 27 years old
€3.2M
€3.0M
-5.4%
Expected: €2.6M
41.6
Ryan Porteous
Los Angeles FC • 26 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.6M
39.2
Matt Miazga
FC Cincinnati • 30 years old
€2.8M
€2.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.8M
38.1
Osaze Urhoghide
FC Dallas • 25 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.0M
36.9
Stian Gregersen
Atlanta United FC • 30 years old
€2.6M
€2.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.7M
36.9
Andreas Maxsø
Colorado Rapids • 31 years old
€2.3M
€1.8M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.5M
35.7
Mamadou Fofana
New England Revolution • 27 years old
€1.9M
€1.8M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.6M
35.3
Joakim Nilsson
MLS Pool • 31 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.2M
33.4
Yevgen Cheberko
Columbus Crew • 27 years old
€1.6M
€1.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.3M
33.0
Juan Berrocal
Atlanta United FC • 26 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
32.9
Brayan Vera
Real Salt Lake City • 26 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
32.9
Oleksandr Svatok
Austin FC • 31 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €995K
30.6
Teenage Hadebe
FC Cincinnati • 30 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €995K
30.5
Joaquín Fernández
Sporting Kansas City • 29 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €995K
30.4
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Charlotte FC's Adilson Malanda at 24 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 3.00×. That means Adilson Malanda is valued 3.00× higher than the median player in the 24-26 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Sporting Kansas City's Alán Montes, who is 25 years old, with a 1.50× PPVE. Third is Fallou Fall of St. Louis CITY SC, who is 21 years old with a 1.00× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 3.00× means the player is worth 200% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Adilson Malanda Charlotte FC | 24 | 24-26 | €6.0M | €2.0M | 3.00× |
| #2 | Alán Montes Sporting Kansas City | 25 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €2.0M | 1.50× |
| #3 | Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC | 21 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €3.0M | 1.00× |
| #4 | Osaze Urhoghide FC Dallas | 25 | 24-26 | €2.0M | €2.0M | 1.00× |
| #5 | Robert Voloder Sporting Kansas City | 24 | 24-26 | €1.0M | €2.0M | 0.50× |
| #6 | Pablo Ortiz Houston Dynamo FC | 25 | 24-26 | €500K | €2.0M | 0.25× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
St. Louis CITY SC's Fallou Fall at 21 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +30%. That means Fallou Fall is projected to appreciate 30% as they reach their peak age in 5 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Sporting Kansas City's Robert Voloder, who is 24 years old, with a +14% RPP (2 years to peak). Third is Adilson Malanda of Charlotte FC, who is 24 years old with a +14% RPP (2 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 30% RPP means the player is expected to gain 30% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC | 21 | 5 | €3.0M | €4.3M | +30% |
| #2 | Robert Voloder Sporting Kansas City | 24 | 2 | €1.0M | €1.2M | +14% |
| #3 | Adilson Malanda Charlotte FC | 24 | 2 | €6.0M | €6.9M | +14% |
| #4 | Osaze Urhoghide FC Dallas | 25 | 1 | €2.0M | €2.2M | +7% |
| #5 | Alán Montes Sporting Kansas City | 25 | 1 | €3.0M | €3.2M | +7% |
| #6 | Pablo Ortiz Houston Dynamo FC | 25 | 1 | €500K | €538K | +7% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
St. Louis CITY SC's Fallou Fall has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 33.7. That means Fallou Fall has 10% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Los Angeles FC's Ryan Porteous with a 12.0 RAU (3% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Juan Berrocal of Atlanta United FC with a 12.0 RAU (3% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 33.7 means the upside is 33.7× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC | €3.3M | €2.9M-3.8M | +10% | 33.7 |
| #2 | Ryan Porteous Los Angeles FC | €2.6M | €2.3M-2.9M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #3 | Juan Berrocal Atlanta United FC | €1.5M | €1.4M-1.7M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #4 | Brayan Vera Real Salt Lake City | €1.5M | €1.4M-1.7M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #5 | Adilson Malanda Charlotte FC | €6.1M | €5.4M-6.9M | +2% | 9.8 |
| #6 | Robert Voloder Sporting Kansas City | €1.0M | €901K-1.1M | +2% | 9.8 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: centre-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Toronto FC's Kevin Long in the 30+ age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-14.1%. That means Rob Holding captures 39.6% of total market value while representing only 53.7% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is New York Red Bulls's Alexander Hack with a +-14.1% ASC (39.6% value share vs 53.7% player share in 30+ bracket). Third is Tim Ream of Charlotte FC with a +-14.1% ASC (39.6% value vs 53.7% players in 30+ bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-14.1% ASC means the player captures -14.1% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kevin Long Toronto FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #2 | Alexander Hack New York Red Bulls | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #3 | Tim Ream Charlotte FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #4 | Dario Župarić Portland Timbers | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #5 | Paddy McNair San Diego FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #6 | Rudy Camacho Columbus Crew | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #7 | Bill Tuiloma Charlotte FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #8 | Antônio Carlos Houston Dynamo FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #9 | Sebastian Schonlau Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #10 | Joakim Nilsson MLS Pool | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #11 | Stian Gregersen Atlanta United FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #12 | Sigurd Rosted Toronto FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #13 | Oleksandr Svatok Austin FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #14 | Matt Miazga FC Cincinnati | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #15 | Andreas Maxsø Colorado Rapids | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #16 | Rob Holding Colorado Rapids | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #17 | Brendan Hines-Ike Austin FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #18 | Teenage Hadebe FC Cincinnati | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #19 | Erik Sviatchenko Houston Dynamo FC | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
| #20 | Zanka Los Angeles Galaxy | 30+ | 39.6% | 53.7% | -14.1% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use: "Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets. "Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months. "Peak" = pay premium for proven performers. "Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 0 immediate targets, 1 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 16 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €700K. 0 undervalued, 4 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strahinja Tanasijević New York City FC | €500K | €1.2M | -0.70 | Good Value |
Pablo Ortiz Houston Dynamo FC | €500K | €1.2M | -0.67 | Good Value |
Timo Baumgartl St. Louis CITY SC | €600K | €1.2M | -0.60 | Good Value |
Maxime Chanot Los Angeles FC | €150K | €1.2M | -0.59 | Good Value |
Maya Yoshida Los Angeles Galaxy | €200K | €1.2M | -0.55 | Good Value |
Kevin Long Toronto FC | €250K | €1.2M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Tim Ream Charlotte FC | €300K | €1.2M | -0.45 | Fair Value |
Rudy Camacho Columbus Crew | €300K | €1.2M | -0.45 | Fair Value |
Bruno Wilson San Jose Earthquakes | €800K | €1.2M | -0.40 | Fair Value |
Bill Tuiloma Charlotte FC | €400K | €1.2M | -0.36 | Fair Value |
Zanka Los Angeles Galaxy | €400K | €1.2M | -0.36 | Fair Value |
Robert Voloder Sporting Kansas City | €1.0M | €1.2M | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Dario Župarić Portland Timbers | €500K | €1.2M | -0.27 | Fair Value |
Joedrick Pupe Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €1.0M | €1.2M | -0.20 | Fair Value |
Antônio Carlos Houston Dynamo FC | €700K | €1.2M | -0.09 | Fair Value |
Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC | €3.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Sebastian Schonlau Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €800K | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Joaquín Fernández Sporting Kansas City | €1.2M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Sigurd Rosted Toronto FC | €800K | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Kye Rowles D.C. United | €1.2M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |