Best Defensive Midfielders in the MLS (Jun 2026)

Ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Market Overview: MLS Defensive Midfielders 2025-26

Our database tracks 51 MLS Defensive Midfielders in the 2025-26 season, representing 28 clubs with a combined market value of €85.0M. The average market value for MLS Defensive Midfielders is €1.7M, with the average age at 25.8 years old.

The most valuable defensive midfielder in the MLS is David Ayala, worth €4.0M and playing for Inter Miami CF at 23 years old. The top 5 Defensive Midfielders average €3.8M in market value, including Braian Ojeda and Andrés Cubas.

Age distribution shows the youngest tracked defensive midfielder is Luis Otávio (19 years, Orlando City SC, €2.5M), while the oldest is Ashley Westwood (36 years, Charlotte FC, €400K). Research shows Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.

Our 1-year forecast model projects 28 Defensive Midfielders (55%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The MLS market for Defensive Midfielders remains actively developing with emerging talent in the 2025-26 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.

Market Intelligence

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 28 clubs with €85.0M combined value.

Players Tracked

By League

Premier League La Liga Bundesliga Serie A Ligue 1

By Position

GK CB LB RB CDM

More Positions

CM CAM LW RW ST

By Season

2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23

Age Distribution: MLS Defensive Midfielders

The MLS CDM market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 24-26 bracket (13 players, 25% of market). The 24-26 age group holds the most value at €23.8M, averaging €1.8M per player.

U21 years7 players (14%)

€7.1MAvg: €1.0M

Top player: Kaick (€2.5M)

21-23 years11 players (22%)

€23.3MAvg: €2.1M

Top player: David Ayala (€4.0M)

Elite Tier Concentration

26%of market value

The top 6 Defensive Midfielders (12% of players) control €22.5M

1. David Ayala€4.0M

2. Braian Ojeda€4.0M

3. Andrés Cubas€4.0M

4. Igor Jesus€3.5M

5. Edwin Cerrillo€3.5M

Market Tiers

Emerging (<€5M)51 players (100%)

€85.0M

Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS CDM pool.

Emerging (<€5M)

1. David Ayala

Inter Miami CF€4.0M

2. Braian Ojeda

Orlando City SC€4.0M

3. Andrés Cubas

Vancouver Whitecaps FC€4.0M

4. Igor Jesus

Los Angeles FC€3.5M

5. Edwin Cerrillo

Los Angeles Galaxy€3.5M

Club Distribution: MLS Defensive Midfielders

Among 28 MLS clubs, Orlando City SC leads with 5 Defensive Midfielders worth €8.7M (averaging €1.7M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 55% of tracked Defensive Midfielders.

Orlando City SC

5 players • €8.7M

New York City FC

3 players • €8.5M

Inter Miami CF

3 players • €7.5M

Los Angeles Galaxy

3 players • €7.2M

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

3 players • €5.6M

FC Dallas

2 players • €5.5M

Houston Dynamo FC

3 players • €4.7M

St. Louis CITY SC

3 players • €4.2M

Philadelphia Union

2 players • €3.8M

#10

Los Angeles FC

1 players • €3.5M

Orlando City SC (5 Defensive Midfielders)

Braian Ojeda(25yo)

€4.0M

Luis Otávio(19yo)

€2.5M

Wilder Cartagena(31yo)

€1.5M

Joran Gerbet(24yo)

€500K

Colin Guske(19yo)

€200K

New York City FC (3 Defensive Midfielders)

Keaton Parks(28yo)

€3.0M

Aiden O'Neill(27yo)

€3.0M

Andrés Perea(25yo)

€2.5M

Inter Miami CF (3 Defensive Midfielders)

David Ayala(23yo)

€4.0M

David Ruíz(22yo)

€2.0M

Yannick Bright(24yo)

€1.5M

Los Angeles Galaxy (3 Defensive Midfielders)

Edwin Cerrillo(25yo)

€3.5M

Lucas Sanabria(22yo)

€3.5M

Tucker Lepley(24yo)

€200K

Player Rankings

Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.

David Ayala

Inter Miami CF • 23 years old

€3.5M

€4.0M

+15.6%

€3.7M€4.7M

Expected: €4.2M

50.2

Braian Ojeda

Orlando City SC • 25 years old

€3.5M

€4.0M

+15.6%

€3.6M€4.6M

Expected: €4.1M

50.1

Andrés Cubas

Vancouver Whitecaps FC • 30 years old

€5.2M

€4.0M

-22.6%

€2.9M€3.7M

Expected: €3.3M

49.7

Igor Jesus

Los Angeles FC • 23 years old

€3.0M

€3.5M

+15.6%

€3.3M€4.1M

Expected: €3.7M

48.5

Edwin Cerrillo

Los Angeles Galaxy • 25 years old

€3.0M

€3.5M

+15.6%

€3.2M€4.0M

Expected: €3.6M

48.4

Lucas Sanabria

Los Angeles Galaxy • 22 years old

€3.0M

€3.5M

+15.6%

€3.4M€4.3M

Expected: €3.9M

48.1

Patrickson Delgado

FC Dallas • 22 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.9M€3.7M

Expected: €3.3M

42.5

Artur

Houston Dynamo FC • 30 years old

€3.9M

€3.0M

-22.6%

€2.2M€2.8M

Expected: €2.5M

42.5

Danley Jean Jacques

Philadelphia Union • 26 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.6M€3.3M

Expected: €2.9M

42.4

#10

Obinna Nwobodo

FC Cincinnati • 29 years old

€3.9M

€3.0M

-22.6%

€2.3M€3.0M

Expected: €2.6M

42.3

#12

Keaton Parks

New York City FC • 28 years old

€3.2M

€3.0M

-5.4%

€2.3M€3.0M

Expected: €2.6M

42.1

#11

Gustav Berggren

New York Red Bulls • 28 years old

€3.2M

€3.0M

-5.4%

€2.3M€3.0M

Expected: €2.6M

42.1

#13

Aiden O'Neill

New York City FC • 27 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.7M€3.5M

Expected: €3.1M

41.9

#14

Josh Atencio

Colorado Rapids • 24 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.4M€3.0M

Expected: €2.7M

41.0

#15

Djé D'Avilla

Chicago Fire FC • 23 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.3M€3.0M

Expected: €2.6M

40.6

#16

Andrés Perea

New York City FC • 25 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.3M€2.9M

Expected: €2.6M

40.6

#17

Emeka Eneli

Real Salt Lake City • 26 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.2M€2.7M

Expected: €2.4M

40.1

#18

Kaick

FC Dallas • 20 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.6M€3.4M

Expected: €3.0M

39.4

#19

Luis Otávio

Orlando City SC • 19 years old

€2.2M

€2.5M

+15.6%

€2.7M€3.5M

Expected: €3.1M

38.9

#20

Daniel Edelman

St. Louis CITY SC • 23 years old

€1.7M

€2.0M

+15.6%

€1.9M€2.4M

Expected: €2.1M

37.8

Showing 1-20 of 51

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)

FC Dallas's Kaick at 20 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 6.25×. That means Kaick is valued 6.25× higher than the median player in the U21 age bracket—representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.

In second is Orlando City SC's Luis Otávio, who is 19 years old, with a 6.25× PPVE. Third is Jacob Bartlett of Sporting Kansas City, who is 20 years old with a 2.50× 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 6.25× means the player is worth 525% more than typical players their age—making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.

PPVE by Age Bracket

KaickFC Dallas

U21 • 20yo6.25×

€2.5M • 525% above median

Luis OtávioOrlando City SC

U21 • 19yo6.25×

€2.5M • 525% above median

Jacob BartlettSporting Kansas City

U21 • 20yo2.50×

€1.0M • 150% above median

David AyalaInter Miami CF

21-23 • 23yo2.00×

€4.0M • 100% above median

Lucas SanabriaLos Angeles Galaxy

21-23 • 22yo1.75×

€3.5M • 75% above median

Igor JesusLos Angeles FC

21-23 • 23yo1.75×

€3.5M • 75% above median

Braian OjedaOrlando City SC

24-26 • 25yo1.60×

€4.0M • 60% above median

Patrickson DelgadoFC Dallas

21-23 • 22yo1.50×

€3.0M • 50% above median

Edwin CerrilloLos Angeles Galaxy

24-26 • 25yo1.40×

€3.5M • 40% above median

Djé D'AvillaChicago Fire FC

21-23 • 23yo1.25×

€2.5M • 25% above median

Andrés PereaNew York City FC

24-26 • 25yo1.00×

€2.5M • 0% above median

Josh AtencioColorado Rapids

24-26 • 24yo1.00×

€2.5M • 0% above median

Daniel EdelmanSt. Louis CITY SC

21-23 • 23yo1.00×

€2.0M • 0% above median

David RuízInter Miami CF

21-23 • 22yo1.00×

€2.0M • 0% above median

Snyder BrunellSeattle Sounders FC

U21 • 19yo1.00×

€400K • 0% above median

Rank	Player	Age	Bracket	Current Value	Bracket Median	PPVE
#1	Kaick FC Dallas	20	U21	€2.5M	€400K	6.25×
#2	Luis Otávio Orlando City SC	19	U21	€2.5M	€400K	6.25×
#3	Jacob Bartlett Sporting Kansas City	20	U21	€1.0M	€400K	2.50×
#4	David Ayala Inter Miami CF	23	21-23	€4.0M	€2.0M	2.00×
#5	Lucas Sanabria Los Angeles Galaxy	22	21-23	€3.5M	€2.0M	1.75×
#6	Igor Jesus Los Angeles FC	23	21-23	€3.5M	€2.0M	1.75×
#7	Braian Ojeda Orlando City SC	25	24-26	€4.0M	€2.5M	1.60×
#8	Patrickson Delgado FC Dallas	22	21-23	€3.0M	€2.0M	1.50×
#9	Edwin Cerrillo Los Angeles Galaxy	25	24-26	€3.5M	€2.5M	1.40×
#10	Djé D'Avilla Chicago Fire FC	23	21-23	€2.5M	€2.0M	1.25×
#11	Andrés Perea New York City FC	25	24-26	€2.5M	€2.5M	1.00×
#12	Josh Atencio Colorado Rapids	24	24-26	€2.5M	€2.5M	1.00×
#13	Daniel Edelman St. Louis CITY SC	23	21-23	€2.0M	€2.0M	1.00×
#14	David Ruíz Inter Miami CF	22	21-23	€2.0M	€2.0M	1.00×
#15	Snyder Brunell Seattle Sounders FC	19	U21	€400K	€400K	1.00×
#16	Matthew Corcoran Nashville SC	20	U21	€300K	€400K	0.75×
#17	Yannick Bright Inter Miami CF	24	24-26	€1.5M	€2.5M	0.60×
#18	Colin Guske Orlando City SC	19	U21	€200K	€400K	0.50×
#19	Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids	22	21-23	€1.0M	€2.0M	0.50×
#20	Pedro Soma San Diego FC	19	U21	€200K	€400K	0.50×

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)

Orlando City SC's Colin Guske at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Snyder Brunell is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 7 years—representing significant upside before entering their prime.

In second is San Diego FC's Pedro Soma, who is 19 years old, with a +44% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Snyder Brunell of Seattle Sounders FC, who is 19 years old with a +44% RPP (7 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 44% RPP means the player is expected to gain 44% value as they enter their prime—making them excellent growth investments.

Recovery Potential by Player

Colin GuskeOrlando City SC

7yr to peak+44%

€200K → €357K

Pedro SomaSan Diego FC

7yr to peak+44%

€200K → €357K

Snyder BrunellSeattle Sounders FC

7yr to peak+44%

€400K → €715K

Luis OtávioOrlando City SC

7yr to peak+44%

€2.5M → €4.5M

Jacob BartlettSporting Kansas City

6yr to peak+40%

€1.0M → €1.7M

Matthew CorcoranNashville SC

6yr to peak+40%

€300K → €499K

KaickFC Dallas

6yr to peak+40%

€2.5M → €4.2M

Sam WilliamsChicago Fire FC

5yr to peak+35%

€150K → €232K

Hamzat OjediranColorado Rapids

4yr to peak+30%

€1.0M → €1.4M

David RuízInter Miami CF

4yr to peak+30%

€2.0M → €2.9M

Lucas SanabriaLos Angeles Galaxy

4yr to peak+30%

€3.5M → €5.0M

Patrickson DelgadoFC Dallas

4yr to peak+30%

€3.0M → €4.3M

Djé D'AvillaChicago Fire FC

3yr to peak+25%

€2.5M → €3.3M

David AyalaInter Miami CF

3yr to peak+25%

€4.0M → €5.3M

Daniel EdelmanSt. Louis CITY SC

3yr to peak+25%

€2.0M → €2.7M

Rank	Player	Age	Years to Peak	Current	Peak Forecast	RPP %
#1	Colin Guske Orlando City SC	19	7	€200K	€357K	+44%
#2	Pedro Soma San Diego FC	19	7	€200K	€357K	+44%
#3	Snyder Brunell Seattle Sounders FC	19	7	€400K	€715K	+44%
#4	Luis Otávio Orlando City SC	19	7	€2.5M	€4.5M	+44%
#5	Jacob Bartlett Sporting Kansas City	20	6	€1.0M	€1.7M	+40%
#6	Matthew Corcoran Nashville SC	20	6	€300K	€499K	+40%
#7	Kaick FC Dallas	20	6	€2.5M	€4.2M	+40%
#8	Sam Williams Chicago Fire FC	21	5	€150K	€232K	+35%
#9	Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids	22	4	€1.0M	€1.4M	+30%
#10	David Ruíz Inter Miami CF	22	4	€2.0M	€2.9M	+30%
#11	Lucas Sanabria Los Angeles Galaxy	22	4	€3.5M	€5.0M	+30%
#12	Patrickson Delgado FC Dallas	22	4	€3.0M	€4.3M	+30%
#13	Djé D'Avilla Chicago Fire FC	23	3	€2.5M	€3.3M	+25%
#14	David Ayala Inter Miami CF	23	3	€4.0M	€5.3M	+25%
#15	Daniel Edelman St. Louis CITY SC	23	3	€2.0M	€2.7M	+25%
#16	Igor Jesus Los Angeles FC	23	3	€3.5M	€4.7M	+25%
#17	Matti Peltola D.C. United	23	3	€800K	€1.1M	+25%
#18	Ralph Priso Vancouver Whitecaps FC	23	3	€800K	€1.1M	+25%
#19	Yannick Bright Inter Miami CF	24	2	€1.5M	€1.9M	+20%
#20	Josh Atencio Colorado Rapids	24	2	€2.5M	€3.1M	+20%

Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.

Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

Orlando City SC's Luis Otávio has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 68.9. That means Luis Otávio has 23% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.

In second is Orlando City SC's Colin Guske with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Pedro Soma of San Diego FC with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty).

How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 68.9 means the upside is 68.9× greater than the uncertainty—making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.

Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player

Luis OtávioOrlando City SC

↑23% / ±0%68.9

Range: €2.7M - €3.5M

Colin GuskeOrlando City SC

↑23% / ±0%68.9

Range: €213K - €281K

Pedro SomaSan Diego FC

↑23% / ±0%68.9

Range: €213K - €281K

Snyder BrunellSeattle Sounders FC

↑23% / ±0%68.9

Range: €426K - €562K

Matthew CorcoranNashville SC

↑19% / ±0%58.0

Range: €308K - €407K

Jacob BartlettSporting Kansas City

↑19% / ±0%58.0

Range: €1.0M - €1.4M

KaickFC Dallas

↑19% / ±0%58.0

Range: €2.6M - €3.4M

Sam WilliamsChicago Fire FC

↑15% / ±0%46.3

Range: €148K - €196K

Lucas SanabriaLos Angeles Galaxy

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €3.4M - €4.3M

Patrickson DelgadoFC Dallas

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €2.9M - €3.7M

Hamzat OjediranColorado Rapids

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €970K - €1.2M

David RuízInter Miami CF

↑10% / ±0%38.7

Range: €1.9M - €2.5M

Joran GerbetOrlando City SC

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €471K - €600K

Josh AtencioColorado Rapids

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €2.4M - €3.0M

Yannick BrightInter Miami CF

↑7% / ±0%27.5

Range: €1.4M - €1.8M

Rank	Player	Expected	Range	Upside %	RAU
#1	Luis Otávio Orlando City SC	€3.1M	€2.7M-3.5M	+23%	68.9
#2	Colin Guske Orlando City SC	€247K	€213K-281K	+23%	68.9
#3	Pedro Soma San Diego FC	€247K	€213K-281K	+23%	68.9
#4	Snyder Brunell Seattle Sounders FC	€494K	€426K-562K	+23%	68.9
#5	Matthew Corcoran Nashville SC	€357K	€308K-407K	+19%	58.0
#6	Jacob Bartlett Sporting Kansas City	€1.2M	€1.0M-1.4M	+19%	58.0
#7	Kaick FC Dallas	€3.0M	€2.6M-3.4M	+19%	58.0
#8	Sam Williams Chicago Fire FC	€172K	€148K-196K	+15%	46.3
#9	Lucas Sanabria Los Angeles Galaxy	€3.9M	€3.4M-4.3M	+10%	38.7
#10	Patrickson Delgado FC Dallas	€3.3M	€2.9M-3.7M	+10%	38.7
#11	Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids	€1.1M	€970K-1.2M	+10%	38.7
#12	David Ruíz Inter Miami CF	€2.2M	€1.9M-2.5M	+10%	38.7
#13	Joran Gerbet Orlando City SC	€535K	€471K-600K	+7%	27.5
#14	Josh Atencio Colorado Rapids	€2.7M	€2.4M-3.0M	+7%	27.5
#15	Yannick Bright Inter Miami CF	€1.6M	€1.4M-1.8M	+7%	27.5
#16	Tucker Lepley Los Angeles Galaxy	€214K	€188K-240K	+7%	27.5
#17	Igor Jesus Los Angeles FC	€3.7M	€3.3M-4.1M	+6%	23.0
#18	David Ayala Inter Miami CF	€4.2M	€3.7M-4.7M	+6%	23.0
#19	Daniel Edelman St. Louis CITY SC	€2.1M	€1.9M-2.4M	+6%	23.0
#20	Matti Peltola D.C. United	€847K	€745K-948K	+6%	23.0

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

Total Players

-0.00

Avg Z-Score

-0.00

RPI Score

Weak DepthStrong Depth

-3.00+3.0

Highest Z-Scores

David Ayala+1.93

Braian Ojeda+1.93

Andrés Cubas+1.93

Igor Jesus+1.52

Edwin Cerrillo+1.52

Lowest Z-Scores

Sam Williams-1.25

Colin Guske-1.21

Pedro Soma-1.21

Tucker Lepley-1.21

Matthew Corcoran-1.13

Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.

Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Los Angeles Galaxy's Lucas Sanabria in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +5.8%. That means David Ayala captures 27.4% of total market value while representing only 21.6% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.

In second is D.C. United's Matti Peltola with a +5.8% ASC (27.4% value share vs 21.6% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Ralph Priso of Vancouver Whitecaps FC with a +5.8% ASC (27.4% value vs 21.6% players in 21-23 bracket).

How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +5.8% ASC means the player captures 5.8% more market value than their numerical representation—indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.