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Central midfielders with the Best Potential in USL Championship 2026

The highest-potential central midfielders in USL Championship in 2026, ranked on Field Insider.

Best goalkeepers in USL ChampionshipBest defenders in USL ChampionshipBest midfielders in USL ChampionshipBest attackers in USL ChampionshipMost in-form central midfielders in USL ChampionshipTop-scoring central midfielders in USL Championship

At a glance

N. Scardina of Rhode Island is the standout for raw talent across central midfielders in USL Championship, with a Field Insider Rating of 39.7, and Rafael Mentzingen has been the form player this season, grading 22.6.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: J. Gurr has improved his Season rating most, up +17 on last season. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, N. Benalcazar of Orange County SC is the most valuable name in this group at 7.1.

Best talent
N. Scardina39.7RTG
Rhode Island
In form
Rafael Mentzingen22.6SsN
Detroit City
Rising potential
M. Palomino-1.4RTG
Orange County SC · 24/25→25/26
Most improved
J. Gurr+17SsN
Sacramento Republic · 21/22→25/26
Top scorer
Rafael Mentzingen3goals
Detroit City
Most valuable
N. Benalcazar7.1val
Orange County SC
50 players · ranked by best potentialCustomise →
PlayerTeam
1N. ScardinaCentral midfielderRhode Island2584014.7%
2B. WilleyCentral midfielderSacramento Republic191334
3N. BenalcazarCentral midfielderOrange County SC25227133.3%332.7%
4Nick FirminoCentral midfielderLexington25214000%326.5%
5A. SanchezCentral midfielderRhode Island241432
6M. VargasCentral midfielderNew Mexico United2517328.4%
7F. DaromaCentral midfielderColorado Springs252132
8Evan DavilaCentral midfielderLouisville City24430
9P. BarnesCentral midfielderPittsburgh Riverhounds251030
10A. RochaCentral midfielderColorado Springs25730
11K. Hernández-FosterCentral midfielderDetroit City2411100%2924.4%
12J. CedeñoCentral midfielderDetroit City261629
13V. NoëlCentral midfielderNew Mexico United271629
14Z. BaileyCentral midfielderNew Mexico United2611791.7%2920.9%
15N. OkelloCentral midfielderLexington2618420%2817.2%
16M. NgalinaCentral midfielderHartford Athletic2692814.1%
17D. GomezCentral midfielderEl Paso Locomotive261128
18A. McFaddenCentral midfielderLouisville City2819235.1%2725.5%
19G. ColliCentral midfielderFC Tulsa261127
20B. MakangilaCentral midfielderHartford Athletic26626
21A. StanleyCentral midfielderDetroit City265683.3%2629.2%
22T. McCabeCentral midfielderOakland Roots28825
23Y. HanyaCentral midfielderColorado Springs27122524.1%
24C. VázquezCentral midfielderMiami FC271425
25D. HernandezCentral midfielderSan Antonio281325
26M. PalominoCentral midfielderOrange County SC25136.5%255.3%
27D. GriffinCentral midfielderPittsburgh Riverhounds282224
28D. McCartneyCentral midfielderBirmingham Legion281024
29E. CalvilloCentral midfielderEl Paso Locomotive2812668.8%2239.4%
30Rafael MentzingenCentral midfielderDetroit City302322
31C. PinzónCentral midfielderLas Vegas Lights281222
32D. TrejoCentral midfielderOakland Roots28181073.3%2218%
33J. ScearceCentral midfielderPhoenix Rising281221
34J. MurphyCentral midfielderLoudoun United29021
35E. YcazaCentral midfielderCharleston Battery291420
36M. RodríguezCentral midfielderSacramento Republic30584.7%2037.1%
37K. LambertCentral midfielderLouisville City298971.4%1934.8%
38M. BenítezCentral midfielderSacramento Republic302219
39C. LindleyCentral midfielderIndy Eleven29918
40W. FonguckCentral midfielderMonterey Bay29018
41J. GurrCentral midfielderSacramento Republic30191062.5%1851.2%
42M. RomeroCentral midfielderMiami FC30152.7%1855.6%
43Z. ZandiCentral midfielderColorado Springs30617
44R. CoronadoCentral midfielderEl Paso Locomotive301116
45Z. HerivauxCentral midfielderRhode Island301016
46S. LletgetCentral midfielderMonterey Bay341539.7%1626.2%
47A. SkundrichCentral midfielderLoudoun United31102.9%1650%
48M. RodriguezCentral midfielderDetroit City311916
49R. WilliamsCentral midfielderDetroit City311014
50C. MartinCentral midfielderNorth Carolina31513