Most Improved defenders in USL Championship 2026

At a glance

C. Smith of Phoenix Rising is the standout for raw talent across defenders in USL Championship, with a Field Insider Rating of 34.3, and K. Adams has been the form player this season, grading 27.8, and T. Maples leads the scoring with 3 goals.

The numbers a scout watches are the year-on-year jumps: S. Anderson has improved his Season rating most, up +19.3 on last season. Those are the players whose trajectory is bending upward fastest.

By our market-value index, S. Anderson of Hartford Athletic is the most valuable name in this group at 7.5.

Best talent

C. Smith34.3RTG

Phoenix Rising

In form

K. Adams27.8SsN

Louisville City

Rising potential

E. Bartlow-4RTG

Tampa Bay Rowdies · 24/25→25/26

Most improved

S. Anderson+19.3SsN

Hartford Athletic · 24/25→25/26

Top scorer

T. Maples3goals

Colorado Springs

Most valuable

S. Anderson7.5val

Hartford Athletic