Best Defensive Midfielders in the MLS (Mar 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: MLS Defensive Midfielders 2023-24
Our database tracked 18 MLS Defensive Midfielders in the 2023-24 season, representing 15 clubs with a combined market value of €28.8M. The average market value for MLS Defensive Midfielders was €1.6M, with the average age at 29.9 years old.
The most valuable defensive midfielder in the MLS was Andrés Cubas, worth €4.0M and played for Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 29 years old. The top 5 Defensive Midfielders averaged €3.1M in market value, including Keaton Parks and Obinna Nwobodo.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked defensive midfielder was Danley Jean Jacques (25 years, Philadelphia Union, €2.0M), while the oldest was Sergio Busquets (37 years, Inter Miami CF, €1.5M). Research shows Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Historical analysis showed 2 Defensive Midfielders (11%) 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 Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2023-24 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 Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 15 clubs with €28.8M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Defensive Midfielders
The MLS CDM market shows 3 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (9 players, 50% of market). The 27-29 age group holds the most value at €15.5M, averaging €2.6M per player.
Top Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
24-26 Years (3 players)
27-29 Years (6 players)
30+ Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Defensive Midfielders (11% of players) control €7.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS CDM pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Defensive Midfielders
Among 15 MLS clubs, New York City FC leads with 2 Defensive Midfielders worth €6.5M (averaging €3.3M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 72% of tracked Defensive Midfielders.
New York City FC (2 Defensive Midfielders)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1 Defensive Midfielders)
FC Cincinnati (1 Defensive Midfielders)
Philadelphia Union (1 Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Andrés Cubas
Vancouver Whitecaps FC • 29 years old
€5.2M
€4.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €3.5M
49.5
Keaton Parks
New York City FC • 28 years old
€3.7M
€3.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €3.1M
47.7
Obinna Nwobodo
FC Cincinnati • 29 years old
€3.9M
€3.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.6M
42.3
Aiden O'Neill
New York City FC • 27 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.1M
41.9
Danley Jean Jacques
Philadelphia Union • 25 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.0M
37.7
Wilder Cartagena
Orlando City SC • 31 years old
€2.3M
€1.8M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.5M
36.2
Chris Durkin
St. Louis CITY SC • 26 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.8M
35.9
Sergio Busquets
Inter Miami CF • 37 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.3M
35.0
Gastón Brugman
Nashville SC • 33 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.1M
31.4
Tristan Muyumba
Atlanta United FC • 28 years old
€1.3M
€1.2M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.1M
30.5
Diadié Samassékou
Houston Dynamo FC • 30 years old
€1.3M
€1.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €833K
28.5
Jailson
Los Angeles FC • 30 years old
€1.3M
€1.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €833K
28.5
Nemanja Radoja
Sporting Kansas City • 33 years old
€1.0M
€800K
-22.6%
Expected: €704K
26.3
Matt Polster
New England Revolution • 32 years old
€1.0M
€800K
-22.6%
Expected: €667K
26.1
Djibril Diani
Charlotte FC • 28 years old
€845K
€800K
-5.4%
Expected: €704K
25.3
Jeppe Tverskov
San Diego FC • 32 years old
€775K
€600K
-22.6%
Expected: €500K
22.4
Ashley Westwood
Charlotte FC • 35 years old
€517K
€400K
-22.6%
Expected: €352K
17.8
Jefferson Valverde
Houston Dynamo FC • 26 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €391K
16.9
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)
1 pre-peak player found. PPVE compares market value to age bracket median to identify exceptional value opportunities.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | 25 | 24-26 | €2.0M | €2.0M | 1.00× |
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)
Philadelphia Union's Danley Jean Jacques leads with +14% RPP, projected to appreciate 14% over 1 years to peak.
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares current market value to forecasted peak value. Target players with RPP ≥50% who are 2-3 years from peak for significant value appreciation potential.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | 25 | 1 | €2.0M | €2.3M | +14% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
New York City FC's Aiden O'Neill leads with 12.0 RAU (3% upside vs 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %. Higher RAU means better risk-reward. Target RAU ≥2.0 for strong appreciation with manageable risk.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Aiden O'Neill New York City FC | €3.1M | €2.7M-3.5M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #2 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | €2.0M | €1.8M-2.3M | +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: defensive midfielder position shows weak 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)
Atlanta United FC's Tristan Muyumba in the 27-29 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +20.5%. That means Andrés Cubas captures 53.8% of total market value while representing only 33.3% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Andrés Cubas with a +20.5% ASC (53.8% value share vs 33.3% player share in 27-29 bracket). Third is Djibril Diani of Charlotte FC with a +20.5% ASC (53.8% value vs 33.3% players in 27-29 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +20.5% ASC means the player captures 20.5% 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 | Tristan Muyumba Atlanta United FC | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #2 | Andrés Cubas Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #3 | Djibril Diani Charlotte FC | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #4 | Obinna Nwobodo FC Cincinnati | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #5 | Aiden O'Neill New York City FC | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #6 | Keaton Parks New York City FC | 27-29 | 53.8% | 33.3% | +20.5% |
| #7 | Gastón Brugman Nashville SC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #8 | Nemanja Radoja Sporting Kansas City | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #9 | Wilder Cartagena Orlando City SC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #10 | Jeppe Tverskov San Diego FC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #11 | Diadié Samassékou Houston Dynamo FC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #12 | Matt Polster New England Revolution | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #13 | Jailson Los Angeles FC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #14 | Sergio Busquets Inter Miami CF | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #15 | Ashley Westwood Charlotte FC | 30+ | 31.6% | 50.0% | -18.4% |
| #16 | Jefferson Valverde Houston Dynamo FC | 24-26 | 14.6% | 16.7% | -2.1% |
| #17 | Chris Durkin St. Louis CITY SC | 24-26 | 14.6% | 16.7% | -2.1% |
| #18 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | 24-26 | 14.6% | 16.7% | -2.1% |
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, 0 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 7 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
No players in this category
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 €3.0M. 1 undervalued, 1 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashley Westwood Charlotte FC | €400K | €1.2M | -1.50 | Undervalued |
Jeppe Tverskov San Diego FC | €600K | €1.2M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Djibril Diani Charlotte FC | €800K | €1.2M | -0.96 | Good Value |
Jefferson Valverde Houston Dynamo FC | €400K | €1.2M | -0.87 | Good Value |
Tristan Muyumba Atlanta United FC | €1.2M | €1.2M | -0.78 | Good Value |
Nemanja Radoja Sporting Kansas City | €800K | €1.2M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Matt Polster New England Revolution | €800K | €1.2M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Diadié Samassékou Houston Dynamo FC | €1.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Obinna Nwobodo FC Cincinnati | €3.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Jailson Los Angeles FC | €1.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Chris Durkin St. Louis CITY SC | €1.8M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Aiden O'Neill New York City FC | €3.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | €2.0M | €1.2M | +0.12 | Fair Value |
Keaton Parks New York City FC | €3.5M | €1.2M | +0.22 | Fair Value |
Andrés Cubas Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €4.0M | €1.2M | +0.43 | Fair Value |
Gastón Brugman Nashville SC | €1.2M | €1.2M | +0.50 | Fair Value |
Sergio Busquets Inter Miami CF | €1.5M | €1.2M | +1.25 | Above Market |
Wilder Cartagena Orlando City SC | €1.8M | €1.2M | +2.00 | Premium |