Best U23 Young Attacking Midfielders in the MLS
9 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Attacking Midfielders in the MLS (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: MLS Young Attacking Midfielders 2024-25
Our database tracked 8 MLS Young Attacking Midfielders in the 2024-25 season, representing 7 clubs with a combined market value of €13.5M. The average market value for MLS Young Attacking Midfielders was €1.7M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young attacking midfielder in the MLS was Paxten Aaronson, worth €7.0M and played for Colorado Rapids at 22 years old. The top 5 Young Attacking Midfielders averaged €2.5M in market value, including Wikelman Carmona and Caden Clark.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young attacking midfielder was Allan Oyirwoth (19 years, New England Revolution, €400K), while the oldest was Wikelman Carmona (23 years, New York Red Bulls, €1.8M). Research shows Young Attacking Midfielders typically peak at age 26.
Historical analysis showed 8 Young Attacking Midfielders (100%) 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 Young Attacking Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2024-25 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 Young Attacking Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 7 clubs with €13.5M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Young Attacking Midfielders
The MLS CAM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (5 players, 63% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €12.6M, averaging €2.5M per player.
Top Young Attacking Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (3 players)
21-23 Years (5 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Attacking Midfielders (13% of players) control €7.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with mid (€5-15m) tier representing 13% of the MLS CAM pool.
Mid (€5-15M)
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Young Attacking Midfielders
Among 7 MLS clubs, Colorado Rapids leads with 1 Young Attacking Midfielders worth €7.0M (averaging €7.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Attacking Midfielders.
Colorado Rapids (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
D.C. United (2 Young Attacking Midfielders)
New York Red Bulls (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
Minnesota United FC (1 Young Attacking Midfielders)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Paxten Aaronson
Colorado Rapids • 22 years old
€6.1M
€7.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €7.4M
56.3
Wikelman Carmona
New York Red Bulls • 23 years old
€1.6M
€1.8M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.9M
36.6
Caden Clark
D.C. United • 23 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.6M
34.3
Jackson Hopkins
D.C. United • 21 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
33.1
Alexis Fariña
Minnesota United FC • 21 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €882K
25.4
Allan Oyirwoth
New England Revolution • 19 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €476K
15.7
Olger Escobar
CF Montréal • 19 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €357K
12.2
Rubén Ramos
Los Angeles Galaxy • 19 years old
€151K
€175K
+15.6%
Expected: €208K
5.6
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)
Colorado Rapids's Paxten Aaronson at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 4.67×. That means Paxten Aaronson is valued 4.67× 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 Allan Oyirwoth, who is 19 years old, with a 1.33× PPVE. Third is Wikelman Carmona of New York Red Bulls, who is 23 years old with a 1.20× 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 4.67× means the player is worth 367% 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 | Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | 22 | 21-23 | €7.0M | €1.5M | 4.67× |
| #2 | Allan Oyirwoth New England Revolution | 19 | U21 | €400K | €300K | 1.33× |
| #3 | Wikelman Carmona New York Red Bulls | 23 | 21-23 | €1.8M | €1.5M | 1.20× |
| #4 | Olger Escobar CF Montréal | 19 | U21 | €300K | €300K | 1.00× |
| #5 | Caden Clark D.C. United | 23 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €1.5M | 1.00× |
| #6 | Jackson Hopkins D.C. United | 21 | 21-23 | €1.5M | €1.5M | 1.00× |
| #7 | Rubén Ramos Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | U21 | €175K | €300K | 0.58× |
| #8 | Alexis Fariña Minnesota United FC | 21 | 21-23 | €800K | €1.5M | 0.53× |
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)
Los Angeles Galaxy's Rubén Ramos at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +40%. That means Allan Oyirwoth is projected to appreciate 40% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is CF Montréal's Olger Escobar, who is 19 years old, with a +40% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Allan Oyirwoth of New England Revolution, who is 19 years old with a +40% 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 40% RPP means the player is expected to gain 40% 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 | Rubén Ramos Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | 7 | €175K | €291K | +40% |
| #2 | Olger Escobar CF Montréal | 19 | 7 | €300K | €499K | +40% |
| #3 | Allan Oyirwoth New England Revolution | 19 | 7 | €400K | €665K | +40% |
| #4 | Jackson Hopkins D.C. United | 21 | 5 | €1.5M | €2.2M | +30% |
| #5 | Alexis Fariña Minnesota United FC | 21 | 5 | €800K | €1.1M | +30% |
| #6 | Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | 22 | 4 | €7.0M | €9.4M | +25% |
| #7 | Caden Clark D.C. United | 23 | 3 | €1.5M | €1.9M | +20% |
| #8 | Wikelman Carmona New York Red Bulls | 23 | 3 | €1.8M | €2.2M | +20% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
CF Montréal's Olger Escobar has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 46.4. That means Olger Escobar has 19% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Los Angeles Galaxy's Rubén Ramos with a 46.4 RAU (19% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Allan Oyirwoth of New England Revolution with a 46.4 RAU (19% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 46.4 means the upside is 46.4× 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 | Olger Escobar CF Montréal | €357K | €296K-419K | +19% | 46.4 |
| #2 | Rubén Ramos Los Angeles Galaxy | €208K | €172K-244K | +19% | 46.4 |
| #3 | Allan Oyirwoth New England Revolution | €476K | €394K-558K | +19% | 46.4 |
| #4 | Jackson Hopkins D.C. United | €1.7M | €1.4M-1.9M | +10% | 26.9 |
| #5 | Alexis Fariña Minnesota United FC | €882K | €730K-1.0M | +10% | 26.9 |
| #6 | Wikelman Carmona New York Red Bulls | €1.9M | €1.6M-2.2M | +7% | 22.0 |
| #7 | Caden Clark D.C. United | €1.6M | €1.4M-1.8M | +7% | 22.0 |
| #8 | Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | €7.4M | €6.3M-8.5M | +6% | 18.4 |
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: young attacking midfielder 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)
Los Angeles Galaxy's Rubén Ramos in the U21 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-31.0%. That means Allan Oyirwoth captures 6.5% of total market value while representing only 37.5% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is CF Montréal's Olger Escobar with a +-31.0% ASC (6.5% value share vs 37.5% player share in U21 bracket). Third is Allan Oyirwoth of New England Revolution with a +-31.0% ASC (6.5% value vs 37.5% players in U21 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-31.0% ASC means the player captures -31.0% 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 | Rubén Ramos Los Angeles Galaxy | U21 | 6.5% | 37.5% | -31.0% |
| #2 | Olger Escobar CF Montréal | U21 | 6.5% | 37.5% | -31.0% |
| #3 | Allan Oyirwoth New England Revolution | U21 | 6.5% | 37.5% | -31.0% |
| #4 | Wikelman Carmona New York Red Bulls | 21-23 | 93.5% | 62.5% | +31.0% |
| #5 | Caden Clark D.C. United | 21-23 | 93.5% | 62.5% | +31.0% |
| #6 | Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | 21-23 | 93.5% | 62.5% | +31.0% |
| #7 | Jackson Hopkins D.C. United | 21-23 | 93.5% | 62.5% | +31.0% |
| #8 | Alexis Fariña Minnesota United FC | 21-23 | 93.5% | 62.5% | +31.0% |
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: 3 immediate targets, 5 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
No players in this category
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 €7.0M. 1 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alexis Fariña Minnesota United FC | €800K | €1.5M | -2.33 | Undervalued |
Rubén Ramos Los Angeles Galaxy | €175K | €1.5M | -0.56 | Good Value |
Olger Escobar CF Montréal | €300K | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Caden Clark D.C. United | €1.5M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Paxten Aaronson Colorado Rapids | €7.0M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Jackson Hopkins D.C. United | €1.5M | €1.5M | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Allan Oyirwoth New England Revolution | €400K | €1.5M | +0.44 | Fair Value |
Wikelman Carmona New York Red Bulls | €1.8M | €1.5M | +1.00 | Above Market |