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 (Sep 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
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%
Expected: €1.0M
28.3
Oscar Verhoeven
San Diego Football Club • 20 years old
€865K
€1.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.1M
28.0
Kosi Thompson
Colorado Rapids • 23 years old
€735K
€850K
+15.6%
Expected: €825K
26.8
Justin Che
Red Bull New York • 22 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €811K
25.7
Harbor Miller
Los Angeles Galaxy • 19 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €882K
24.8
Kobe Franklin
Toronto FC • 23 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €582K
22.4
Mauricio Cuevas
Los Angeles Galaxy • 23 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €582K
22.4
Dawid Bugaj
Club de Foot Montréal • 22 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €609K
22.1
Jaziel Orozco
St. Louis City Soccer Club • 22 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €507K
19.8
Juan Mina
Red Bull New York • 22 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €406K
16.9
Zakaria Taifi
Orlando City Soccer Club • 20 years old
€303K
€350K
+15.6%
Expected: €386K
14.7
Aleksandr Guboglo
Club de Foot Montréal • 19 years old
€303K
€350K
+15.6%
Expected: €386K
14.4
Jack Jasinski
San Jose Earthquakes • 22 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €304K
13.3
Cody Baker
Seattle Sounders FC • 22 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €203K
8.1
Justin Reynolds
Sporting Kansas City • 22 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €203K
8.1
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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 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 (17 players, 74% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €15.9M, averaging €935K per player.
Top Young Right-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (6 players)
21-23 Years (17 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 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 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 | 22 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €600K | 5.83× |
| #2 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | 22 | 21-23 | €3.0M | €600K | 5.00× |
| #3 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €600K | 3.33× |
| #4 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | 20 | U21 | €1.5M | €800K | 1.88× |
| #5 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 21 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67× |
| #6 | Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | 23 | 21-23 | €1.0M | €600K | 1.67× |
| #7 | Kosi Thompson Colorado Rapids | 23 | 21-23 | €850K | €600K | 1.42× |
| #8 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €800K | €600K | 1.33× |
| #9 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | 20 | U21 | €1.0M | €800K | 1.25× |
| #10 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | U21 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #11 | Mauricio Cuevas Los Angeles Galaxy | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #12 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | 22 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #13 | Kobe Franklin Toronto FC | 23 | 21-23 | €600K | €600K | 1.00× |
| #14 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | 22 | 21-23 | €500K | €600K | 0.83× |
| #15 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | 22 | 21-23 | €400K | €600K | 0.67× |
| #16 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | 22 | 21-23 | €300K | €600K | 0.50× |
| #17 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | 20 | U21 | €350K | €800K | 0.44× |
| #18 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | 19 | U21 | €350K | €800K | 0.44× |
| #19 | Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 21 | 21-23 | €200K | €600K | 0.33× |
| #20 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | 22 | 21-23 | €200K | €600K | 0.33× |
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 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | €609K | €548K-669K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #8 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | €304K | €274K-335K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #9 | Édier Ocampo Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €3.6M | €3.2M-3.9M | +1% | 7.0 |
| #10 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | €406K | €365K-446K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #11 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | €811K | €730K-893K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #12 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | €203K | €183K-223K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #13 | Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | €203K | €183K-223K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #14 | Ilay Feingold New England Revolution | €3.0M | €2.7M-3.3M | +1% | 7.0 |
| #15 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | €2.0M | €1.8M-2.2M | +1% | 7.0 |
| #16 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | €507K | €456K-558K | +1% | 7.0 |
| #17 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | €1.0M | €898K-1.1M | +1% | 6.1 |
| #18 | Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €203K | €175K-231K | +1% | 5.1 |
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: young 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)
New York City Football Club's Drew Baiera in the U21 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-5.2%. That means Frankie Westfield captures 20.9% of total market value while representing only 26.1% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Los Angeles Galaxy's Harbor Miller with a +-5.2% ASC (20.9% value share vs 26.1% player share in U21 bracket). Third is Zakaria Taifi of Orlando City Soccer Club with a +-5.2% ASC (20.9% value vs 26.1% players in U21 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-5.2% ASC means the player captures -5.2% 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 | Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #2 | Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #3 | Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #4 | Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #5 | Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #6 | Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | U21 | 20.9% | 26.1% | -5.2% |
| #7 | Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #8 | Nikola Djordjevic Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #9 | Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Red Bull New York | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #10 | Mauricio Cuevas Los Angeles Galaxy | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #11 | Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #12 | Kobe Franklin Toronto FC | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #13 | Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #14 | Juan Mina Red Bull New York | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #15 | Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #16 | Justin Che Red Bull New York | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #17 | Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #18 | Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #19 | Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
| #20 | Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | 21-23 | 79.1% | 73.9% | +5.2% |
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, 6 standard acquisitions, 17 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
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 €800K. 0 undervalued, 3 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Drew Baiera New York City Football Club | €200K | €600K | -0.92 | Good Value |
Zakaria Taifi Orlando City Soccer Club | €350K | €600K | -0.69 | Good Value |
Aleksandr Guboglo Club de Foot Montréal | €350K | €600K | -0.69 | Good Value |
Nikola Djordjevic Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €150K | €600K | -0.64 | Good Value |
Giuseppe Bovalina Vancouver Whitecaps FC | €200K | €600K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Justin Reynolds Sporting Kansas City | €200K | €600K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Cody Baker Seattle Sounders FC | €200K | €600K | -0.57 | Good Value |
Jack Jasinski San Jose Earthquakes | €300K | €600K | -0.43 | Fair Value |
Juan Mina Red Bull New York | €400K | €600K | -0.29 | Fair Value |
Jaziel Orozco St. Louis City Soccer Club | €500K | €600K | -0.14 | Fair Value |
Harbor Miller Los Angeles Galaxy | €800K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Mauricio Cuevas Los Angeles Galaxy | €600K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Dawid Bugaj Club de Foot Montréal | €600K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Kobe Franklin Toronto FC | €600K | €600K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Justin Che Red Bull New York | €800K | €600K | +0.29 | Fair Value |
Oscar Verhoeven San Diego Football Club | €1.0M | €600K | +0.31 | Fair Value |
Kosi Thompson Colorado Rapids | €850K | €600K | +0.36 | Fair Value |
Leonardo Barroso Chicago Fire Soccer Club | €1.0M | €600K | +0.57 | Above Market |
Willy Kumado San Diego Football Club | €1.0M | €600K | +0.57 | Above Market |
Frankie Westfield Philadelphia Union | €1.5M | €600K | +1.08 | Above Market |
Market Overview: MLS Young Right-Backs 2025-26
Our database tracks 23 MLS Young Right-Backs in the 2025-26 season, 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 21 years old.
The most valuable young right-back in the MLS is Édier Ocampo, worth €3.5M and playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 22 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 Willy Kumado (23 years, San Diego Football Club, €1.0M). Research shows Young Right-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 18 Young Right-Backs (78%) 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 in the 2025-26 season.
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 in the 2025-26 season
Who are the most valuable Young Right-Backs in the MLS in 2025-26?
The most valuable young right-back in the MLS in 2025-26 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 for the 2025-26 season.
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 for the 2025-26 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.