Best Left-Backs in the MLS (Oct 2025)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Score
Market Overview: MLS Left-Backs 2025-26
Our database tracks 15 MLS Left-Backs in the 2025-26 season, representing 13 clubs with a combined market value of €18.3M. The average market value for MLS Left-Backs is €1.2M, with the average age at 28.3 years old.
The most valuable left-back in the MLS is Lukas Engel, worth €2.5M and playing for FC Cincinnati at 26 years old. The top 5 Left-Backs average €1.9M in market value, including Artem Smolyakov and Harry Toffolo.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked left-back is Artem Smolyakov (22 years, Los Angeles FC, €1.8M), while the oldest is Jordi Alba (36 years, Inter Miami CF, €1.5M). Research shows Left-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 5 Left-Backs (33%) 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 Left-Backs 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.
Explore Market Size by Position in MLS
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Left-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 13 clubs with €18.3M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Left-Backs
The MLS LB market shows 4 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (6 players, 40% of market). The 30+ age group holds the most value at €6.1M, averaging €1.0M per player.
Top Left-Backs by Age Bracket
21-23 Years (1 players)
24-26 Years (4 players)
27-29 Years (4 players)
30+ Years (6 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 2 Left-Backs (13% of players) control €4.3M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS LB pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Left-Backs
Among 13 MLS clubs, FC Cincinnati leads with 2 Left-Backs worth €2.9M (averaging €1.4M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 80% of tracked Left-Backs.
FC Cincinnati (2 Left-Backs)
Charlotte FC (1 Left-Backs)
Los Angeles FC (1 Left-Backs)
Sporting Kansas City (2 Left-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Lukas Engel
FC Cincinnati • 26 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.6M
39.2
Artem Smolyakov
Los Angeles FC • 22 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.2M
34.1
Harry Toffolo
Charlotte FC • 30 years old
€2.0M
€2.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €1.9M
33.6
David Schnegg
D.C. United • 27 years old
€1.5M
€1.5M
+0.0%
Expected: €1.4M
32.2
Adrián Marín
Orlando City SC • 28 years old
€1.5M
€1.5M
+0.0%
Expected: €1.4M
31.4
Sam Vines
Colorado Rapids • 26 years old
€1.0M
€1.2M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.2M
30.1
Logan Ndenbe
Sporting Kansas City • 25 years old
€1.0M
€1.2M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.3M
30.1
Alexandros Katranis
Real Salt Lake City • 27 years old
€1.0M
€1.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €949K
27.1
Pedro Amador
Atlanta United FC • 26 years old
€735K
€850K
+15.6%
Expected: €875K
25.8
Jordi Alba
Inter Miami CF • 36 years old
€1.5M
€1.5M
+0.0%
Expected: €1.4M
25.7
Sam Adekugbe
Vancouver Whitecaps FC • 30 years old
€1.0M
€1.0M
+0.0%
Expected: €949K
24.9
Raoul Petretta
Toronto FC • 28 years old
€600K
€600K
+0.0%
Expected: €569K
20.0
Tim Leibold
Sporting Kansas City • 31 years old
€600K
€600K
+0.0%
Expected: €569K
17.9
Vítor Costa
San Jose Earthquakes • 31 years old
€600K
€600K
+0.0%
Expected: €569K
17.9
Brad Smith
FC Cincinnati • 31 years old
€400K
€400K
+0.0%
Expected: €380K
12.8
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 | Logan Ndenbe Sporting Kansas City | 25 | 24-26 | €1.2M | €1.2M | 1.00× |
| #2 | Artem Smolyakov Los Angeles FC | 22 | 21-23 | €1.8M | €1.8M | 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.
No RPP data available (requires forecast values in database)
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Los Angeles FC's Artem Smolyakov has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 72.7. That means Artem Smolyakov has 21% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty—representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Sporting Kansas City's Logan Ndenbe with a 23.5 RAU (6% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Sam Vines of Colorado Rapids 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 72.7 means the upside is 72.7× 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 | Artem Smolyakov Los Angeles FC | €2.2M | €1.9M-2.4M | +21% | 72.7 |
| #2 | Logan Ndenbe Sporting Kansas City | €1.3M | €1.1M-1.4M | +6% | 23.5 |
| #3 | Sam Vines Colorado Rapids | €1.2M | €1.1M-1.4M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #4 | Lukas Engel FC Cincinnati | €2.6M | €2.3M-2.9M | +3% | 12.0 |
| #5 | Pedro Amador Atlanta United FC | €875K | €770K-980K | +3% | 12.0 |
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: left-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)
FC Cincinnati's Brad Smith in the 30+ age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-6.6%. That means Harry Toffolo captures 33.4% of total market value while representing only 40.0% of players in their age group—showing dominant elite status.
In second is Sporting Kansas City's Tim Leibold with a +-6.6% ASC (33.4% value share vs 40.0% player share in 30+ bracket). Third is Harry Toffolo of Charlotte FC with a +-6.6% ASC (33.4% value vs 40.0% players in 30+ bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-6.6% ASC means the player captures -6.6% 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 | Brad Smith FC Cincinnati | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #2 | Tim Leibold Sporting Kansas City | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #3 | Harry Toffolo Charlotte FC | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #4 | Sam Adekugbe Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #5 | Vítor Costa San Jose Earthquakes | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #6 | Jordi Alba Inter Miami CF | 30+ | 33.4% | 40.0% | -6.6% |
| #7 | Logan Ndenbe Sporting Kansas City | 24-26 | 31.5% | 26.7% | +4.8% |
| #8 | Lukas Engel FC Cincinnati | 24-26 | 31.5% | 26.7% | +4.8% |
| #9 | Sam Vines Colorado Rapids | 24-26 | 31.5% | 26.7% | +4.8% |
| #10 | Pedro Amador Atlanta United FC | 24-26 | 31.5% | 26.7% | +4.8% |
| #11 | Artem Smolyakov Los Angeles FC | 21-23 | 9.9% | 6.7% | +3.2% |
| #12 | Raoul Petretta Toronto FC | 27-29 | 25.2% | 26.7% | -1.5% |
| #13 | Adrián Marín Orlando City SC | 27-29 | 25.2% | 26.7% | -1.5% |
| #14 | Alexandros Katranis Real Salt Lake City | 27-29 | 25.2% | 26.7% | -1.5% |
| #15 | David Schnegg D.C. United | 27-29 | 25.2% | 26.7% | -1.5% |
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: 1 immediate targets, 1 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 7 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
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 €1.8M. 1 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Raoul Petretta Toronto FC | €600K | €1.2M | -1.80 | Undervalued |
Alexandros Katranis Real Salt Lake City | €1.0M | €1.2M | -1.00 | Good Value |
Brad Smith FC Cincinnati | €400K | €1.2M | -0.67 | Good Value |
Tim Leibold Sporting Kansas City | €600K | €1.2M | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Vítor Costa San Jose Earthquakes | €600K | €1.2M | -0.44 | Fair Value |
Pedro Amador Atlanta United FC | €850K | €1.2M | -0.27 | Fair Value |
Sam Adekugbe Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €1.0M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Adrián Marín Orlando City SC | €1.5M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
David Schnegg D.C. United | €1.5M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Logan Ndenbe Sporting Kansas City | €1.2M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Sam Vines Colorado Rapids | €1.2M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Artem Smolyakov Los Angeles FC | €1.8M | €1.2M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Jordi Alba Inter Miami CF | €1.5M | €1.2M | +0.56 | Above Market |
Lukas Engel FC Cincinnati | €2.5M | €1.2M | +1.00 | Above Market |
Harry Toffolo Charlotte FC | €2.0M | €1.2M | +1.11 | Above Market |