Best Right-Backs in the MLS (Aug 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
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.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Édier Ocampo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC • 22 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.6M
48.0
Álex Roldán
Seattle Sounders FC • 30 years old
€4.5M
€3.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €2.4M
48.0
Tayvon Gray
New York City Football Club • 24 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.9M
43.1
Juan Mosquera
Portland Timbers • 23 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.9M
42.8
Ilay Feingold
New England Revolution • 22 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.0M
42.5
Sergi Palencia
Los Angeles Football Club • 30 years old
€3.2M
€2.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.7M
40.1
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
Red Bull New York • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.0M
37.3
Facundo Mura
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami • 27 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.9M
37.3
Jake Davis
Sporting Kansas City • 24 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
36.6
Jon Gallagher
Austin FC • 30 years old
€2.3M
€1.8M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.3M
35.9
Brandon Bye
Portland Timbers • 30 years old
€2.3M
€1.8M
-22.6%
Expected: €1.3M
35.9
Dylan Nealis
Red Bull New York • 28 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
35.4
Nathan Harriel
Philadelphia Union • 25 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
34.6
Bode Hidalgo
Club de Foot Montréal • 24 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
34.3
Steven Moreira
Columbus Crew • 32 years old
€1.9M
€1.5M
-22.6%
Expected: €860K
34.1
Dagur Dan Thórhallsson
Club de Foot Montréal • 26 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.5M
34.1
Griffin Dorsey
Orlando City Soccer Club • 27 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.4M
33.6
Shaq Moore
FC Dallas • 29 years old
€1.6M
€1.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.3M
33.4
Aarón Herrera
D.C. United • 29 years old
€1.6M
€1.5M
-5.4%
Expected: €1.3M
33.4
Reggie Cannon
Colorado Rapids • 28 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.4M
33.1
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Explore Market Size by Position in MLS
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Right-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 29 clubs with €67.3M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Right-Backs
The MLS RB market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (18 players, 29% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €18.9M, averaging €1.0M per player.
Top Right-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (6 players)
21-23 Years (18 players)
24-26 Years (9 players)
27-29 Years (12 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 7 Right-Backs (11% of players) control €20.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS RB pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Right-Backs
Among 29 MLS clubs, Portland Timbers leads with 3 Right-Backs worth €5.0M (averaging €1.7M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 44% of tracked Right-Backs.
Portland Timbers (3 Right-Backs)
Red Bull New York (4 Right-Backs)
Seattle Sounders FC (3 Right-Backs)
Club de Foot Montréal (4 Right-Backs)
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)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Édier Ocampo at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 5.83×. That means Édier Ocampo is valued 5.83× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Portland Timbers's Juan Mosquera, who is 23 years old, with a 5.00× PPVE. Third is Ilay Feingold of New England Revolution, who is 22 years old with a 5.00× 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 5.83× means the player is worth 483% 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 | Édier Ocampo Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 22 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €600K | 5.83× |
| #2 | Juan Mosquera Portland Timbers | 23 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €600K | 5.00× |
| #3 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | 22 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €600K | 5.00× |
| #4 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €600K | 3.33× |
| #5 | Tayvon Gray New York City Football Club | 24 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €1.5M | 2.00× |
| #6 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | 20 | U21 | €1.5M | €800K | 1.88× |
| #7 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 21 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67× |
| #8 | Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | 23 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67× |
| #9 | Kosi Thompson Colorado Rapids | 23 | 21-23 | €850K | €600K | 1.42× |
| #10 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €800K | €600K | 1.33× |
| #11 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | 20 | U21 | €1.0M | €800K | 1.25× |
| #12 | Jake Davis Sporting Kansas City | 24 | 24-26 | €1.8M | €1.5M | 1.20× |
| #13 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | U21 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #14 | Nathan Harriel Philadelphia Union | 25 | 24-26 | €1.5M | €1.5M | 1.00× |
| #15 | Mauricio Cuevas Los Angeles Galaxy | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #16 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | 22 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #17 | Kobe Franklin Toronto FC | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #18 | Bode Hidalgo Club de Foot Montréal | 24 | 24-26 | €1.5M | €1.5M | 1.00× |
| #19 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | 22 | 21-23 | €500K | €600K | 0.83× |
| #20 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €400K | €600K | 0.67× |
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)
Club de Foot Montréal's Aleksandr Guboglo at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +48%. That means Aleksandr Guboglo is projected to appreciate 48% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is New York City Football Club's Drew Baiera, who is 19 years old, with a +48% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Harbor Miller of Los Angeles Galaxy, who is 19 years old with a +48% 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 48% RPP means the player is expected to gain 48% 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 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | 19 | 7 | €350K | €673K | +48% |
| #2 | Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | 19 | 7 | €200K | €384K | +48% |
| #3 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | 7 | €800K | €1.5M | +48% |
| #4 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | 20 | 6 | €350K | €625K | +44% |
| #5 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | 20 | 6 | €1.5M | €2.7M | +44% |
| #6 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | 20 | 6 | €1.0M | €1.8M | +44% |
| #7 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 21 | 5 | €1.0M | €1.7M | +40% |
| #8 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | 22 | 4 | €3.0M | €4.6M | +35% |
| #9 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | 22 | 4 | €2.0M | €3.1M | +35% |
| #10 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | 22 | 4 | €500K | €773K | +35% |
| #11 | Édier Ocampo Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 22 | 4 | €3.5M | €5.4M | +35% |
| #12 | Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 21 | 5 | €200K | €309K | +35% |
| #13 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | 22 | 4 | €600K | €927K | +35% |
| #14 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | 22 | 4 | €400K | €618K | +35% |
| #15 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | 22 | 4 | €300K | €464K | +35% |
| #16 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | 22 | 4 | €800K | €1.2M | +35% |
| #17 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | 22 | 4 | €200K | €309K | +35% |
| #18 | Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | 22 | 4 | €200K | €309K | +35% |
| #19 | Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | 23 | 3 | €1.0M | €1.4M | +30% |
| #20 | Nikola Djordjevic Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 23 | 3 | €150K | €216K | +30% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Orlando City Soccer Club's Zakaria Taifi has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 40.4. That means Zakaria Taifi has 10% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Club de Foot Montréal's Aleksandr Guboglo with a 40.4 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Frankie Westfield of Philadelphia Union with a 40.4 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 40.4 means the upside is 40.4× 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 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | €386K | €341K-430K | +10% | 40.4 |
| #2 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | €386K | €341K-430K | +10% | 40.4 |
| #3 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | €1.7M | €1.5M-1.8M | +10% | 40.4 |
| #4 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | €1.1M | €976K-1.2M | +10% | 40.4 |
| #5 | Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | €221K | €195K-246K | +10% | 40.4 |
| #6 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | €882K | €781K-983K | +10% | 40.4 |
| #7 | Tomas Totland St. Louis City Soccer Club | €1.0M | €922K-1.1M | +2% | 11.8 |
| #8 | Benji Kikanović San Jose Earthquakes | €819K | €737K-901K | +2% | 11.8 |
| #9 | Geovane Jesus FC Dallas | €410K | €369K-451K | +2% | 11.8 |
| #10 | Dagur Dan Thórhallsson Club de Foot Montréal | €1.5M | €1.4M-1.7M | +2% | 11.8 |
| #11 | Nathan Harriel Philadelphia Union | €1.5M | €1.4M-1.7M | +2% | 11.8 |
| #12 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | €609K | €548K-669K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #13 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | €304K | €274K-335K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #14 | Édier Ocampo Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €3.6M | €3.2M-3.9M | +1% | 7.0 |
| #15 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | €406K | €365K-446K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #16 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | €811K | €730K-893K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #17 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | €203K | €183K-223K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #18 | Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | €203K | €183K-223K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #19 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | €3.0M | €2.7M-3.3M | +1% | 7.0 |
| #20 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | €2.0M | €1.8M-2.2M | +1% | 7.0 |
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: right-back 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)
Seattle Sounders FC's Kalani Kossa-Rienzi in the 24-26 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +4.3%. That means Tayvon Gray captures 18.6% of total market value while representing only 14.3% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is St. Louis City Soccer Club's Tomas Totland with a +4.3% ASC (18.6% value share vs 14.3% player share in 24-26 bracket). Third is Dagur Dan Thórhallsson of Club de Foot Montréal with a +4.3% ASC (18.6% value vs 14.3% players in 24-26 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +4.3% ASC means the player captures 4.3% 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 | Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Seattle Sounders FC | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #2 | Tomas Totland St. Louis City Soccer Club | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #3 | Dagur Dan Thórhallsson Club de Foot Montréal | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #4 | Nathan Harriel Philadelphia Union | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #5 | Tayvon Gray New York City Football Club | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #6 | Jake Davis Sporting Kansas City | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #7 | Benji Kikanović San Jose Earthquakes | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #8 | Bode Hidalgo Club de Foot Montréal | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #9 | Geovane Jesus FC Dallas | 24-26 | 18.6% | 14.3% | +4.3% |
| #10 | Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #11 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #12 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #13 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #14 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #15 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | U21 | 6.2% | 9.5% | -3.3% |
| #16 | Nathan Byrne Charlotte Football Club | 30+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | -1.8% |
| #17 | Andy Nájar Nashville SC | 30+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | -1.8% |
| #18 | Paul Marie San Jose Earthquakes | 30+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | -1.8% |
| #19 | Alvas Powell Football Club Cincinnati | 30+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | -1.8% |
| #20 | Steven Moreira Columbus Crew | 30+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | -1.8% |
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, 6 standard acquisitions, 18 watch-list prospects, 15 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
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 €500K. 4 undervalued, 7 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geovane Jesus FC Dallas | €400K | €800K | -2.20 | Undervalued |
Olivier Mbaizo Philadelphia Union | €300K | €800K | -1.71 | Undervalued |
D.J. Taylor Minnesota United FC | €300K | €800K | -1.71 | Undervalued |
Ronald Hernández Atlanta United Football Club | €450K | €800K | -1.50 | Undervalued |
Benji Kikanović San Jose Earthquakes | €800K | €800K | -1.40 | Good Value |
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi Seattle Sounders FC | €1.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Silvan Hefti D.C. United | €800K | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Tomas Totland St. Louis City Soccer Club | €1.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Jonathan Dean Chicago Fire Soccer Club | €800K | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | €200K | €800K | -0.92 | Good Value |
Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | €350K | €800K | -0.69 | Good Value |
Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | €350K | €800K | -0.69 | Good Value |
Nikola Djordjevic Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €150K | €800K | -0.64 | Good Value |
Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €200K | €800K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | €200K | €800K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | €200K | €800K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Kyle Duncan Minnesota United FC | €1.2M | €800K | -0.43 | Fair Value |
Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | €300K | €800K | -0.43 | Fair Value |
Eric Miller Portland Timbers | €200K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Juan Mina Red Bull New York | €400K | €800K | -0.29 | Fair Value |
Market Overview: MLS Right-Backs 2024-25
Our database tracked 63 MLS Right-Backs in the 2024-25 season, representing 29 clubs with a combined market value of €67.3M. The average market value for MLS Right-Backs was €1.1M, with the average age at 26 years old.
The most valuable right-back in the MLS was Édier Ocampo, worth €3.5M and played for Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 22 years old. The top 5 Right-Backs averaged €3.2M in market value, including Álex Roldán and Tayvon Gray.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked right-back was Harbor Miller (19 years, Los Angeles Galaxy, €800K), while the oldest was Nathan Byrne (34 years, Charlotte Football Club, €500K). Research shows Right-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Historical analysis showed 23 Right-Backs (37%) 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 Right-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2024-25 season.
How We Rank MLS Right-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for right-backs, 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 RB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for MLS right-backs, 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 right-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 28 with 5.0%/year decline rate. 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.
RB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 28 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 29, -10% at 30, steeper from 31 (positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 28: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• 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: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for right-backs
• 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 Right-Backs in the 2024-25 season
Who are the most valuable Right-Backs in the MLS in 2024-25?
The most valuable right-back in the MLS in 2024-25 is Édier Ocampo, who is worth €3.5M and plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The second most valuable is Álex Roldán (€3.5M, Seattle Sounders FC), followed by Tayvon Gray (€3.0M, New York City Football Club). Our database tracks 63 MLS Right-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2024-25 season.
How are MLS Right-Backs ranked?
MLS Right-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Right-Backs. 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 Right-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 28. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 29, -10% at 30, and -25% or more from 31. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top right-back from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Right-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked right-back Édier Ocampo (market value: €3.5M), estimated transfer fees would range from €2.8M to €4.9M 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 Right-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS Right-Backs based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), 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-defenders have ±10% 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 right-back data come from?
Our MLS right-back 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 2024-25 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.