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Most In-Form defenders in Major League Soccer 2026

The most in-form defenders in Major League Soccer in 2026, ranked on Field Insider.

Most in-form goalkeepers in Major League SoccerMost in-form midfielders in Major League SoccerMost in-form attackers in Major League SoccerBest defenders in Major League SoccerTop-scoring defenders in Major League SoccerMost valuable defenders in Major League Soccer

At a glance

R. Roberts of San Jose Earthquakes is the standout for raw talent across defenders in Major League Soccer, with a Field Insider Rating of 49.1, and R. Porteous has been the form player this season, grading 65.2, and A. Markanich leads the scoring with 5 goals.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: E. Segura has improved his Season rating most, up +44.9 on last season, while E. Morales's scouting Rating has risen fastest, +8.8 over the same span. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, Felipe Andrade of Houston Dynamo is the most valuable name in this group at 14.9.

Best talent
R. Roberts49.1RTG
San Jose Earthquakes
In form
R. Porteous65.2SsN
Los Angeles FC
Rising potential
E. Morales+8.8RTG
CF Montreal · 24/25→25/26
Most improved
E. Segura+44.9SsN
Los Angeles FC · 24/25→25/26
Top scorer
A. Markanich5goals
Minnesota United FC
Most valuable
Felipe Andrade14.9val
Houston Dynamo
50 players · ranked by best this seasonCustomise →
PlayerTeam
1R. PorteousCentre-backLos Angeles FC2765343.5%3922.5%
2E. SeguraCentre-backLos Angeles FC296366%321.6%
3N. TafariFull-backLos Angeles FC295887.9%3110%
4Felipe AndradeCentre-backHouston Dynamo245387.6%4610.1%
5M. WoledziCentre-backNashville SC25536.1%452.5%
6Antônio CarlosCentre-backHouston Dynamo3352540.7%1660.2%
7É. OcampoFull-backVancouver Whitecaps225136.1%483.6%
8A. ReschCentre-backHouston Dynamo234946
9D. LovitzCentre-backNashville SC344740.4%167.1%
10M. MbokaziCentre-backChicago Fire204682%4480.4%
11Sergi PalenciaCentre-backLos Angeles FC3045±0%2222.3%
12M. LabordaFull-backVancouver Whitecaps264519.6%469.5%
13J. PalaciosFull-backNashville SC324490.9%209.9%
14M. DuahCentre-backSan Diego2143305.7%466.7%
15T. JohnsonCentre-backVancouver Whitecaps214245%497.2%
16R. HollingsheadCentre-backLos Angeles FC354018.5%1313.5%
17L. BombinoFull-backSan Diego20408.6%4310.3%
18C. McVeyCentre-backSan Diego29402%2913.1%
19N. ToloCentre-backSeattle Sounders294066.4%315.8%
20S. HeftiFull-backDC United2839110.2%3628.9%
21A. RoldanCentre-backSeattle Sounders303946.8%2212.9%
22R. RobertsCentre-backSan Jose Earthquakes2239360.7%4930.9%
23B. CeballosCentre-backCF Montreal2538±0%3323.5%
24M. FofanaCentre-backNew England Revolution283815%354.2%
25T. BlackmonCentre-backVancouver Whitecaps303729.1%2915%
26A. NajarFull-backNashville SC333710.6%1615.9%
27K. RowlesCentre-backDC United283726.3%342.1%
28N. HarrielFull-backPhiladelphia Union253624.8%457.7%
29A. GutmanFull-backChicago Fire293531.6%299.8%
30D. PolvaraCentre-backSt. Louis City2634153.7%4216.1%
31J. ElliottFull-backChicago Fire313332.9%274.7%
32Leonardo BarrosoCentre-backChicago Fire2133219.4%425.3%
33M. DugganCentre-backMinnesota United FC2533101.2%458.5%
34J. DíazCentre-backMinnesota United FC253227.1%431.8%
35A. MarkanichFull-backMinnesota United FC26329.4%424.2%
36J. WatermanCentre-backChicago Fire303276.7%237.2%
37W. SandsCentre-backNew England Revolution2632258%4227.3%
38R. HoldingCentre-backColorado Rapids3031404.8%2536.9%
39J. TravisFull-backColorado Rapids2231595.6%4313%
40MicaelCentre-backInter Miami263127.7%4030.7%
41N. NorrisCentre-backFC Dallas2130393.4%4512.7%
42B. KikanovicFull-backSan Jose Earthquakes26304030.9%
43J. RagenCentre-backSeattle Sounders273024.4%361.4%
44D. MunieCentre-backSan Jose Earthquakes263079.4%4317.7%
45T. GrayCentre-backNew York City FC2429±0%458.2%
46E. MoralesFull-backCF Montreal2229156.3%4516%
47O. SvatokCentre-backAustin31298.7%230.9%
48K. KurokawaFull-backDC United29294%349.7%
49S. MooreCentre-backFC Dallas292810.2%321.6%
50F. SurmanCentre-backPortland Timbers22281.4%46±0%