Best Midfielders in the MLS (Jul 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: MLS Midfielders 2025-26
Our database tracks 30 MLS Midfielders in the 2025-26 season, representing 21 clubs with a combined market value of €81.1M. The average market value for MLS Midfielders is €2.7M, with the average age at 28 years old.
The most valuable midfielder in the MLS is Rodrigo De Paul, worth €15.0M and playing for Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami at 32 years old. The top 5 Midfielders average €8.1M in market value, including Riqui Puig and Telasco Segovia.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked midfielder is Alejandro Alvarado (22 years, San Diego Football Club, €150K), while the oldest is Alejandro Bedoya (39 years, Philadelphia Union, €250K). Research shows Midfielders typically peak at age 26-27.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 7 Midfielders (23%) 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 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 Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 21 clubs with €81.1M 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 Midfielders
The MLS CM market shows 4 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 27-29 bracket (12 players, 40% of market). The 27-29 age group holds the most value at €27.9M, averaging €2.3M per player.
Top Midfielders by Age Bracket
21-23 Years (3 players)
24-26 Years (6 players)
27-29 Years (12 players)
30+ Years (9 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 3 Midfielders (10% of players) control €31.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with high (€15-30m) tier representing 3% of the MLS CM pool.
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Midfielders
Among 21 MLS clubs, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami leads with 2 Midfielders worth €19.5M (averaging €9.8M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 53% of tracked Midfielders.
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (2 Midfielders)
Los Angeles Galaxy (1 Midfielders)
St. Louis City Soccer Club (2 Midfielders)
Minnesota United FC (2 Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Rodrigo De Paul
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 32 years old
€19.4M
€15.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €13.1M
69.4
Riqui Puig
Los Angeles Galaxy • 26 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.4M
66.0
Telasco Segovia
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 23 years old
€3.9M
€4.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €4.8M
51.6
Eduard Löwen
St. Louis City Soccer Club • 29 years old
€5.8M
€4.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €3.7M
50.5
Joaquín Pereyra
Minnesota United FC • 27 years old
€4.8M
€4.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €3.9M
50.3
José Cifuentes
Toronto FC • 27 years old
€4.8M
€4.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €3.9M
50.3
Steven Alzate
Atlanta United Football Club • 27 years old
€4.2M
€4.0M
-5.4%
Expected: €3.5M
48.8
Alhassan Yusuf
New England Revolution • 25 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.9M
42.0
Luca de la Torre
Charlotte Football Club • 28 years old
€3.9M
€3.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.6M
41.7
Marcel Hartel
St. Louis City Soccer Club • 30 years old
€3.6M
€2.8M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.3M
41.1
Nectarios Triantis
Minnesota United FC • 23 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.7M
40.6
Robin Lod
Chicago Fire Soccer Club • 33 years old
€3.2M
€2.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.2M
40.0
Sebastian Lletget
FC Dallas • 33 years old
€2.6M
€2.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.8M
37.2
Rominigue Kouamé
Chicago Fire Soccer Club • 29 years old
€2.6M
€2.0M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.7M
36.8
Lasse Berg Johnsen
Sporting Kansas City • 26 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.9M
35.1
Anton Salétros
Chicago Fire Soccer Club • 30 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.2M
33.3
Ronaldo Vieira
San Jose Earthquakes • 27 years old
€1.6M
€1.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.3M
33.0
Timothy Tillman
Los Angeles Football Club • 27 years old
€1.6M
€1.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.3M
33.0
Bryan Acosta
Nashville SC • 32 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.1M
30.8
Stijn Spierings
Real Salt Lake • 30 years old
€1.5M
€1.2M
-22.6%
Expected: €995K
30.5
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)
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami's Telasco Segovia at 23 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 1.80×. That means Telasco Segovia is valued 1.80× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is New England Revolution's Alhassan Yusuf, who is 25 years old, with a 1.00× PPVE. Third is Nectarios Triantis of Minnesota United FC, who is 23 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 1.80× means the player is worth 80% 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 | Telasco Segovia Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | 23 | 21-23 | €4.5M | €2.5M | 1.80× |
| #2 | Alhassan Yusuf New England Revolution | 25 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €3.0M | 1.00× |
| #3 | Nectarios Triantis Minnesota United FC | 23 | 21-23 | €2.5M | €2.5M | 1.00× |
| #4 | Victor Loturi Club de Foot Montréal | 25 | 24-26 | €800K | €3.0M | 0.27× |
| #5 | Alejandro Alvarado San Diego Football Club | 22 | 21-23 | €150K | €2.5M | 0.06× |
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)
San Diego Football Club's Alejandro Alvarado at 22 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +25%. That means Alejandro Alvarado is projected to appreciate 25% as they reach their peak age in 4 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Minnesota United FC's Nectarios Triantis, who is 23 years old, with a +20% RPP (3 years to peak). Third is Telasco Segovia of Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, who is 23 years old with a +20% RPP (3 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 25% RPP means the player is expected to gain 25% 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 | Alejandro Alvarado San Diego Football Club | 22 | 4 | €150K | €201K | +25% |
| #2 | Nectarios Triantis Minnesota United FC | 23 | 3 | €2.5M | €3.1M | +20% |
| #3 | Telasco Segovia Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | 23 | 3 | €4.5M | €5.6M | +20% |
| #4 | Alhassan Yusuf New England Revolution | 25 | 1 | €3.0M | €3.2M | +7% |
| #5 | Victor Loturi Club de Foot Montréal | 25 | 1 | €800K | €860K | +7% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Minnesota United FC's Nectarios Triantis has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 25.4. That means Nectarios Triantis has 7% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami's Telasco Segovia with a 25.4 RAU (7% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Alejandro Alvarado of San Diego Football Club with a 21.2 RAU (6% 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 | Nectarios Triantis Minnesota United FC | €2.7M | €2.3M-3.0M | +7% | 25.4 |
| #2 | Telasco Segovia Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | €4.8M | €4.2M-5.4M | +7% | 25.4 |
| #3 | Alejandro Alvarado San Diego Football Club | €159K | €138K-179K | +6% | 21.2 |
| #4 | Christian Cappis FC Dallas | €618K | €537K-698K | +3% | 11.1 |
| #5 | Riqui Puig Los Angeles Galaxy | €12.4M | €10.7M-14.0M | +3% | 11.1 |
| #6 | Matty Longstaff Club de Foot Montréal | €927K | €806K-1.0M | +3% | 11.1 |
| #7 | Lasse Berg Johnsen Sporting Kansas City | €1.9M | €1.6M-2.1M | +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: 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)
St. Louis City Soccer Club's Eduard Löwen in the 27-29 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-5.5%. That means Eduard Löwen captures 34.5% of total market value while representing only 40.0% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Chicago Fire Soccer Club's Rominigue Kouamé with a +-5.5% ASC (34.5% value share vs 40.0% player share in 27-29 bracket). Third is Timothy Tillman of Los Angeles Football Club with a +-5.5% ASC (34.5% value vs 40.0% players in 27-29 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-5.5% ASC means the player captures -5.5% 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 | Eduard Löwen St. Louis City Soccer Club | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #2 | Rominigue Kouamé Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #3 | Timothy Tillman Los Angeles Football Club | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #4 | Luca de la Torre Charlotte Football Club | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #5 | Besard Šabović Austin FC | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #6 | Connor Ronan Colorado Rapids | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #7 | Joaquín Pereyra Minnesota United FC | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #8 | Ronaldo Vieira San Jose Earthquakes | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #9 | José Cifuentes Toronto FC | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #10 | Steven Alzate Atlanta United Football Club | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #11 | Dylan Chambost Columbus Crew | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #12 | Zorhan Bassong Sporting Kansas City | 27-29 | 34.5% | 40.0% | -5.5% |
| #13 | Riqui Puig Los Angeles Galaxy | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #14 | Matty Longstaff Club de Foot Montréal | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #15 | Christian Cappis FC Dallas | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #16 | Alhassan Yusuf New England Revolution | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #17 | Lasse Berg Johnsen Sporting Kansas City | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #18 | Victor Loturi Club de Foot Montréal | 24-26 | 23.6% | 20.0% | +3.6% |
| #19 | Alejandro Bedoya Philadelphia Union | 30+ | 33.2% | 30.0% | +3.2% |
| #20 | Robin Lod Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 30+ | 33.2% | 30.0% | +3.2% |
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, 3 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 €800K. 0 undervalued, 1 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alejandro Bedoya Philadelphia Union | €250K | €1.8M | -0.96 | Good Value |
Ian Harkes San Jose Earthquakes | €450K | €1.8M | -0.81 | Good Value |
Alejandro Alvarado San Diego Football Club | €150K | €1.8M | -0.54 | Good Value |
Zorhan Bassong Sporting Kansas City | €250K | €1.8M | -0.50 | Fair Value |
Besard Šabović Austin FC | €500K | €1.8M | -0.43 | Fair Value |
Dylan Chambost Columbus Crew | €700K | €1.8M | -0.37 | Fair Value |
Christian Cappis FC Dallas | €600K | €1.8M | -0.30 | Fair Value |
Connor Ronan Colorado Rapids | €1.0M | €1.8M | -0.29 | Fair Value |
Stijn Spierings Real Salt Lake | €1.2M | €1.8M | -0.23 | Fair Value |
Bryan Acosta Nashville SC | €1.2M | €1.8M | -0.23 | Fair Value |
Timothy Tillman Los Angeles Football Club | €1.5M | €1.8M | -0.14 | Fair Value |
Ronaldo Vieira San Jose Earthquakes | €1.5M | €1.8M | -0.14 | Fair Value |
Victor Loturi Club de Foot Montréal | €800K | €1.8M | -0.10 | Fair Value |
Anton Salétros Chicago Fire Soccer Club | €1.5M | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Rodrigo De Paul Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami | €15.0M | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Rominigue Kouamé Chicago Fire Soccer Club | €2.0M | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Riqui Puig Los Angeles Galaxy | €12.0M | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Matty Longstaff Club de Foot Montréal | €900K | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Nectarios Triantis Minnesota United FC | €2.5M | €1.8M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Luca de la Torre Charlotte Football Club | €3.0M | €1.8M | +0.29 | Fair Value |
How We Rank MLS Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for 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 CM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for MLS 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 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.
CM 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 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 Midfielders in the 2025-26 season
Who are the most valuable Midfielders in the MLS in 2025-26?
The most valuable midfielder in the MLS in 2025-26 is Rodrigo De Paul, who is worth €15.0M and plays for Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami. The second most valuable is Riqui Puig (€12.0M, Los Angeles Galaxy), followed by Telasco Segovia (€4.5M, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami). Our database tracks 30 MLS Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2025-26 season.
How are MLS Midfielders ranked?
MLS Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for 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 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 midfielder from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (market value: €15.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €12.0M to €21.0M 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 Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS 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 midfielder data come from?
Our MLS 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.