Best Defensive Midfielders in the MLS (Jul 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: MLS Defensive Midfielders 2025-26
Our database tracks 19 MLS Defensive Midfielders in the 2025-26 season, representing 16 clubs with a combined market value of €37.3M. The average market value for MLS Defensive Midfielders is €2.0M, with the average age at 30 years old.
The most valuable defensive midfielder in the MLS is Andrés Cubas, worth €4.5M and playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 30 years old. The top 5 Defensive Midfielders average €3.6M in market value, including Sergio Busquets and Keaton Parks.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked defensive midfielder is Hamzat Ojediran (22 years, Colorado Rapids, €1.0M), while the oldest is Sergio Busquets (38 years, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, €3.5M). Research shows Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 5 Defensive Midfielders (26%) 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.
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 16 clubs with €37.3M combined value.
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.
Age Distribution: MLS Defensive Midfielders
The MLS CDM market shows 4 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (9 players, 47% of market). The 30+ age group holds the most value at €17.3M, averaging €1.9M per player.
Top Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
21-23 Years (2 players)
24-26 Years (3 players)
27-29 Years (5 players)
30+ Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Defensive Midfielders (11% of players) control €8.0M
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 16 MLS clubs, New York City Football Club leads with 3 Defensive Midfielders worth €8.0M (averaging €2.7M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 63% of tracked Defensive Midfielders.
New York City Football Club (3 Defensive Midfielders)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1 Defensive Midfielders)
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (1 Defensive Midfielders)
Los Angeles Football Club (1 Defensive Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Andrés Cubas
Vancouver Whitecaps FC • 30 years old
€5.8M
€4.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €3.7M
50.6
Sergio Busquets
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 38 years old
€4.5M
€3.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €3.1M
49.8
Keaton Parks
New York City Football Club • 28 years old
€5.2M
€4.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €3.5M
48.9
Igor Jesus
Los Angeles Football Club • 23 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.7M
48.4
Wilder Cartagena
Orlando City Soccer Club • 31 years old
€3.2M
€2.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.1M
39.8
Obinna Nwobodo
Football Club Cincinnati • 29 years old
€3.2M
€2.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.1M
39.6
James Sands
New York City Football Club • 26 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.6M
39.2
Gastón Brugman
Nashville SC • 33 years old
€2.6M
€2.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.8M
37.2
Danley Jean Jacques
Philadelphia Union • 26 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.1M
36.5
Nemanja Radoja
Sporting Kansas City • 33 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.3M
33.6
Aiden O'Neill
New York City Football Club • 28 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.3M
33.1
Chris Durkin
St. Louis City Soccer Club • 26 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
32.9
Hamzat Ojediran
Colorado Rapids • 22 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.1M
28.6
Diadié Samassékou
Houston Dynamo • 30 years old
€1.3M
€1.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €829K
28.3
Tristan Muyumba
Atlanta United Football Club • 29 years old
€1.3M
€1.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €829K
28.2
Ashley Westwood
Charlotte Football Club • 36 years old
€1.1M
€850K
-22.6%
Expected: €744K
26.9
Matt Polster
New England Revolution • 33 years old
€1.0M
€800K
-22.6%
Expected: €700K
25.8
Jeppe Tverskov
San Diego Football Club • 33 years old
€775K
€600K
-22.6%
Expected: €525K
22.2
Djibril Diani
Charlotte Football Club • 28 years old
€646K
€500K
-22.6%
Expected: €438K
19.4
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)
2 pre-peak players 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 | Igor Jesus Los Angeles Football Club | 23 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €3.5M | 1.00× |
| #2 | Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids | 22 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €3.5M | 0.29× |
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)
Colorado Rapids's Hamzat Ojediran leads with +25% RPP, projected to appreciate 25% over 4 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 | Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids | 22 | 4 | €1.0M | €1.3M | +25% |
| #2 | Igor Jesus Los Angeles Football Club | 23 | 3 | €3.5M | €4.4M | +20% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Los Angeles Football Club's Igor Jesus has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 25.4. That means Igor Jesus has 7% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Colorado Rapids's Hamzat Ojediran with a 21.2 RAU (6% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is James Sands of New York City Football Club with a 11.1 RAU (3% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 25.4 means the upside is 25.4× 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 | Igor Jesus Los Angeles Football Club | €3.7M | €3.3M-4.2M | +7% | 25.4 |
| #2 | Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids | €1.1M | €921K-1.2M | +6% | 21.2 |
| #3 | James Sands New York City Football Club | €2.6M | €2.2M-2.9M | +3% | 11.1 |
| #4 | Chris Durkin St. Louis City Soccer Club | €1.5M | €1.3M-1.7M | +3% | 11.1 |
| #5 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | €2.1M | €1.8M-2.3M | +3% | 11.1 |
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 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)
Colorado Rapids's Hamzat Ojediran in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +1.6%. That means Igor Jesus captures 12.1% of total market value while representing only 10.5% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Los Angeles Football Club's Igor Jesus with a +1.6% ASC (12.1% value share vs 10.5% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is Gastón Brugman of Nashville SC with a +-1.1% ASC (46.3% value vs 47.4% players in 30+ bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +1.6% ASC means the player captures 1.6% 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 | Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids | 21-23 | 12.1% | 10.5% | +1.6% |
| #2 | Igor Jesus Los Angeles Football Club | 21-23 | 12.1% | 10.5% | +1.6% |
| #3 | Gastón Brugman Nashville SC | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #4 | Nemanja Radoja Sporting Kansas City | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #5 | Wilder Cartagena Orlando City Soccer Club | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #6 | Jeppe Tverskov San Diego Football Club | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #7 | Diadié Samassékou Houston Dynamo | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #8 | Andrés Cubas Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #9 | Matt Polster New England Revolution | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #10 | Sergio Busquets Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #11 | Ashley Westwood Charlotte Football Club | 30+ | 46.3% | 47.4% | -1.1% |
| #12 | Tristan Muyumba Atlanta United Football Club | 27-29 | 25.5% | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| #13 | Djibril Diani Charlotte Football Club | 27-29 | 25.5% | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| #14 | Obinna Nwobodo Football Club Cincinnati | 27-29 | 25.5% | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| #15 | Aiden O'Neill New York City Football Club | 27-29 | 25.5% | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| #16 | Keaton Parks New York City Football Club | 27-29 | 25.5% | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| #17 | Chris Durkin St. Louis City Soccer Club | 24-26 | 16.1% | 15.8% | +0.3% |
| #18 | James Sands New York City Football Club | 24-26 | 16.1% | 15.8% | +0.3% |
| #19 | Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | 24-26 | 16.1% | 15.8% | +0.3% |
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, 2 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 6 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 €3.5M. 0 undervalued, 2 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hamzat Ojediran Colorado Rapids | €1.0M | €1.5M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Djibril Diani Charlotte Football Club | €500K | €1.5M | -0.67 | Good Value |
Jeppe Tverskov San Diego Football Club | €600K | €1.5M | -0.55 | Good Value |
Chris Durkin St. Louis City Soccer Club | €1.5M | €1.5M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Matt Polster New England Revolution | €800K | €1.5M | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Ashley Westwood Charlotte Football Club | €850K | €1.5M | -0.39 | Fair Value |
Tristan Muyumba Atlanta United Football Club | €1.0M | €1.5M | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Diadié Samassékou Houston Dynamo | €1.0M | €1.5M | -0.30 | Fair Value |
Nemanja Radoja Sporting Kansas City | €1.5M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Aiden O'Neill New York City Football Club | €1.5M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Danley Jean Jacques Philadelphia Union | €2.0M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Igor Jesus Los Angeles Football Club | €3.5M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Gastón Brugman Nashville SC | €2.0M | €1.5M | +0.30 | Fair Value |
James Sands New York City Football Club | €2.5M | €1.5M | +0.50 | Fair Value |
Wilder Cartagena Orlando City Soccer Club | €2.5M | €1.5M | +0.61 | Above Market |
Obinna Nwobodo Football Club Cincinnati | €2.5M | €1.5M | +0.67 | Above Market |
Sergio Busquets Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | €3.5M | €1.5M | +1.21 | Above Market |
Keaton Parks New York City Football Club | €4.0M | €1.5M | +1.67 | Premium |
Andrés Cubas Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €4.5M | €1.5M | +1.82 | Premium |
How We Rank MLS Defensive Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for defensive midfielders, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for CDM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for MLS defensive midfielders, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for MLS defensive midfielders, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 26-27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
MLS competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
CDM Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 26-27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: 6.0% per year (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Midfielder -6.0%/year post-peak, +5%/year pre-peak
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for defensive midfielders
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MLS Defensive Midfielders in the 2025-26 season
Who are the most valuable Defensive Midfielders in the MLS in 2025-26?
The most valuable defensive midfielder in the MLS in 2025-26 is Andrés Cubas, who is worth €4.5M and plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The second most valuable is Sergio Busquets (€3.5M, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami), followed by Keaton Parks (€4.0M, New York City Football Club). Our database tracks 19 MLS Defensive Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2025-26 season.
How are MLS Defensive Midfielders ranked?
MLS Defensive Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Defensive Midfielders. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for MLS competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Defensive Midfielders peak?
Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27, with a decline rate of 6.0% per year after peak. Central midfielders require a blend of physicality, technical skill, and tactical awareness. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,400-2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top defensive midfielder from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Defensive Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked defensive midfielder Andrés Cubas (market value: €4.5M), estimated transfer fees would range from €3.6M to €6.3M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual MLS transactions.
What is the value forecast for MLS Defensive Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS Defensive Midfielders based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players gain ~5% per year toward peak age, post-peak players decline at position-specific rates), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-midfielders have ±12-15% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the MLS defensive midfielder data come from?
Our MLS defensive midfielder data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official MLS sources and updated monthly for the 2025-26 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.