Best U23 Young Right-Backs in the MLS
23 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Right-Backs in the MLS (Oct 2026)
23 players tracked across 16 clubs. Updated October 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 • 23 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.4M
48.3
Ilay Feingold
New England Revolution • 22 years old
€2.6M
€3.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.0M
42.5
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
Red Bull New York • 22 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.0M
37.3
Frankie Westfield
Philadelphia Union • 20 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
33.1
Willy Kumado
San Diego Football Club • 23 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €970K
28.8
Leonardo Barroso
Chicago Fire Soccer Club • 21 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
28.3
Oscar Verhoeven
San Diego Football Club • 20 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
28.0
Kosi Thompson
Colorado Rapids • 23 years old
€735K
€850K
+15.6%
26.8
Justin Che
Red Bull New York • 22 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
25.7
Harbor Miller
Los Angeles Galaxy • 19 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
24.8
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Sign up freeÉdier Ocampo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC · 23 years old
48.3
ASI
Current Value
€3.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€3.1M - €3.7M
Ilay Feingold
New England Revolution · 22 years old
42.5
ASI
Current Value
€3.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€2.7M - €3.3M
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
Red Bull New York · 22 years old
37.3
ASI
Current Value
€2.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€1.8M - €2.2M
Frankie Westfield
Philadelphia Union · 20 years old
33.1
ASI
Current Value
€1.5M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€1.5M - €1.8M
Willy Kumado
San Diego Football Club · 23 years old
28.8
ASI
Current Value
€1.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€873K - €1.1M
Leonardo Barroso
Chicago Fire Soccer Club · 21 years old
28.3
ASI
Current Value
€1.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Oscar Verhoeven
San Diego Football Club · 20 years old
28.0
ASI
Current Value
€1.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Kosi Thompson
Colorado Rapids · 23 years old
26.8
ASI
Current Value
€850K
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Justin Che
Red Bull New York · 22 years old
25.7
ASI
Current Value
€800K
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Harbor Miller
Los Angeles Galaxy · 19 years old
24.8
ASI
Current Value
€800K
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: MLS Young Right-Backs (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 23 MLS Young Right-Backs as of October 2026, representing 16 clubs with a combined market value of €20.1M. The average market value for MLS Young Right-Backs is €874K, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young right-back in the MLS is Édier Ocampo, worth €3.5M and playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 23 years old. The top 5 Young Right-Backs average €2.2M in market value, including Ilay Feingold and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked young right-back is Harbor Miller (19 years, Los Angeles Galaxy, €800K), while the oldest is Édier Ocampo (23 years, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, €3.5M). Research shows Young Right-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 17 Young Right-Backs (74%) 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 Young Right-Backs remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in MLS
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Young Right-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 16 clubs with €20.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: MLS Young Right-Backs
The MLS RB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (18 players, 78% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €16.2M, averaging €903K per player.
Top Young Right-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (5 players)
21-23 Years (18 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 3 Young Right-Backs (13% of players) control €8.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS RB pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: MLS Young Right-Backs
Among 16 MLS clubs, Vancouver Whitecaps FC leads with 3 Young Right-Backs worth €3.9M (averaging €1.3M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 74% of tracked Young Right-Backs.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3 Young Right-Backs)
Red Bull New York (3 Young Right-Backs)
New England Revolution (1 Young Right-Backs)
San Diego Football Club (2 Young 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 23 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 New England Revolution's Ilay Feingold, who is 22 years old, with a 5.00× PPVE. Third is Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty of Red Bull New York, who is 22 years old with a 3.33× 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 | 23 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €600K | 5.83x |
| #2 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | 22 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €600K | 5.00x |
| #3 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €600K | 3.33x |
| #4 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | 20 | U21 | €1.5M | €800K | 1.88x |
| #5 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 21 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67x |
| #6 | Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | 23 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67x |
| #7 | Kosi Thompson Colorado Rapids | 23 | 21-23 | €850K | €600K | 1.42x |
| #8 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €800K | €600K | 1.33x |
| #9 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | 20 | U21 | €1.0M | €800K | 1.25x |
| #10 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | U21 | €800K | €800K | 1.00x |
| #11 | Mauricio Cuevas Los Angeles Galaxy | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00x |
| #12 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | 22 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00x |
| #13 | Kobe Franklin Toronto FC | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00x |
| #14 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | 22 | 21-23 | €500K | €600K | 0.83x |
| #15 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €400K | €600K | 0.67x |
| #16 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | 21 | 21-23 | €350K | €600K | 0.58x |
| #17 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | 22 | 21-23 | €300K | €600K | 0.50x |
| #18 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | 19 | U21 | €350K | €800K | 0.44x |
| #19 | Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 21 | 21-23 | €200K | €600K | 0.33x |
| #20 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | 22 | 21-23 | €200K | €600K | 0.33x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Unlock Return-to-Peak analysis for MLS Young Right-Backs.
Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
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Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
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Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
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Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
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Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
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How We Rank MLS Young Right-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young 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 young 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 young 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 young 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 Young Right-Backs, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Young Right-Backs in the MLS right now?
The most valuable young right-back in the MLS today is Édier Ocampo, who is worth €3.5M and plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The second most valuable is Ilay Feingold (€3.0M, New England Revolution), followed by Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (€2.0M, Red Bull New York). Our database tracks 23 MLS Young Right-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are MLS Young Right-Backs ranked?
MLS Young Right-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young 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 Young 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 young right-back from the MLS?
Transfer fees for MLS Young Right-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young 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 Young Right-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS Young 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 young right-back data come from?
Our MLS young 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 (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.